The main difference between Windows 7 64 bit and 32-bit version is the ability to use more memory. This greatly speeds up work with large files, and also improves performance when running multiple applications at the same time and switching between them frequently. Many modern games require at least 6-8 GB of RAM, while working with 3D graphics or video editing will require about 16 GB of memory.
System requirements and preparation for installing WINDOWS 7 64 bit
To install a 64-bit version of Windows 7 on a computer, you need:
- x64 processor with a clock speed of at least 1 GHz
- at least 2 GB of random access memory (RAM)
- at least 20 GB of free hard disk space
- DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver 1.0 or higher
- all components of your computer or laptop must support this type of OS.
For comfortable operation, the minimum equipment requirements must be at least doubled. And if the system has less than 4 GB of RAM, installing Windows 7 64 bit does not make sense.
To see if it is possible to install Windows 7 64 bit on your computer, open the Control Panel and select the Performance Counters and Tools tab. In the window that opens, click on the item "Display and print detailed information about the performance of the computer and the system." Here, the System section will tell you what type of system you are using and also provides information on support for 64-bit Windows.
When working on Windows XP, right-click on the "My Computer" icon and select "Properties" from the context menu. If the "System" section says "x64 Edition", then you can safely install the 64-bit version of Windows. Otherwise, download the free Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from Microsoft and run it.
If the computer was running a 32-bit version of Windows, it is not possible to upgrade the system to Windows 7 64 bit; a complete reinstallation is required. Therefore, it is imperative:
1. Write down all the Internet access settings: the method of connecting to the network, IP address, network mask, Wi-Fi access, etc., as well as the computer name.
2. Save all important files and settings to an external drive or network folder.
3. Download all necessary drivers (video, sound, network card) from the manufacturers' websites and save on external media. Please be aware that device drivers released for Windows x86 will not work on 64-bit systems.
4. Most 32-bit applications will work on Windows 7 64 bit, but they will need to be reinstalled. So make sure you have distributions and product serial numbers.
Installing Windows 7 64 bit
Insert a bootable DVD or USB flash drive with the recorded Windows installation files into your computer. Reboot your system. At the moment of starting the computer, press the function key to enter the BIOS. The Del and F2 keys are used more often, but other options are also possible - F10, F11, Esc, Ctrl + Alt + Esc. If something does not work out, then you can refer to the instructions for the motherboard. In BIOS, you need to set the boot priority from your boot drive: Boot Configuration Features - Boot Device Priority - Firs Boot Device - CD / DVD ROM / USB-HDD (when installing from a flash drive). Boot order settings can also be found in the Advancedsettings section. The name of the section and menu items may slightly differ from those indicated, depending on the BIOS version. Save settings and exit BIOS.
On new computers, you can open the boot menu without going into the BIOS. When turned on, press F8, F9 or F12, depending on the BIOS version. If the keys don't work, see your motherboard documents.
If everything was done correctly, the line Press any key to boot from CD or DVD will appear on the screen. Press any key, for example "Space". The system installation will begin, and the line Windows is loading files… will appear at the bottom of the monitor. After extracting the files, you will see Starting Windows and the Windows 7 setup window. You must select the language and version of the system that you will install. The program will prompt you to read the license and agree to its terms. Check the box next to "I accept the license terms." Continuing the installation is impossible without this.
At this stage, you need to select a partition for installing Windows. This is usually Disk 0 Partition 1 System. Its size must be at least 50 GB. If your hard drive is not yet partitioned and is at least 250 GB in size, then it is better to create another local drive to store your own files. Having decided on the number and size of the sections to be created, click on the "Apply" button.
If the system does not see the hard disk, partition it yourself. When installing into ready-made partitions, problems usually do not arise. In addition, switching to the BIOS mode of the SATA controller from AHCI to IDE can help.
Now you need to format the system partition. The installer will warn you that all data will be destroyed. Confirm formatting. This stage usually goes very quickly, after which the installation begins, lasting 20-30 minutes.
Enter your username and optionally assign a password and hint. Next, Windows will ask you to enter the serial number. If you are installing a licensed version, it can be found on the distribution box. This action can be postponed by unchecking the "Activate when connected to the Internet" checkbox. Set security parameters, set your time zone, set date and time. If the driver for your network card is present in the distribution, and the computer is connected to the Internet, the system will prompt you to specify the type of network. You can choose "Home", "Public" or "Work" network. They differ in security settings. That being said, Windows gives a short description of each of the three options. That's all. The system installation is complete.
