Windows 8 32 bit upgrade to Windows 8.1 64 bit

Hi,

I'd like to upgrade my windows 8 32bit to windows 8.1 64 bit. It's not a problem for the hardware I guess, as you can see in the picture below. I earlier had windows 10 64 bit which crashed unfortunately and I had bought this pc with windows 2 years before. So if anyone of you can help, it would be appreciated.

Hello,

There is no direct way to convert 32-bit Windows 8 into 64-bit Windows 8.1, unless you make clean install of 64-bit Windows 8.1 by formatting 32-bit Windows 8.

Regards.

It is not as simple as what you have been told.

1. There is no upgrade path from 32bit > 64bit; it is done by a clean install.
2. But if you follow that advice of just doing a normal clean install of 8.1, you will have activation problems.

Unless you know Windows 8/8.1, you wouldn't know this method of activation of 8.1 with an 8 key especially after changing the architecture of the operating system:

Support and downloads for 8 has ended.

Do a clean install of the exact same edition of 8.1 as 8 is.

Windows 8 > 8.1 is a free upgrade released by Microsoft.

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IMPORTANT: Read the part about generic keys

You can download and create your own Windows 8.1 Installation Media to reinstall the Operating System with..

"Create installation media for Windows 8.1"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

"Download Windows 8.1"

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8

A similar Tutorial which may also assist you

"Create Installation Media for Windows 8.1"

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/create-installation-media-windows-81

In the first screen of this very simple wizard, you need to choose the following:

Language. English – en-us if you're in the United States.

Edition. Windows 8.1 (Core), Windows 8.1 N, Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro N, or Windows 8.1 Single Language.

Architecture. 64-bit (x64 ) or 32-bit (x86).

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"How to Create a Bootable USB or DVD with a Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2227-create-bootable-usb-dvd-windows-8-iso.html

   Warning

This will not work to install Windows 8 or 8.1 for UEFI. For that, see this tutorial below instead.

UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

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To access BIOS/UEFI - UEFI/EFI configuration:

https://neosmart.net/wiki/boot-usb-drive/

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How to clean install:

"How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 8 or Windows 8.1"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

Make sure that you read Section 4 about using generic keys

If you have a retail Windows 8 product key and want to clean install Windows 8.1or Windows 8.1 Update, then you would need to enter a generic key below to install unactivated with, and change the product key later on instep 22 below to activate with your Windows 8 key.

If you have a retail Windows 8.1 product key and want to clean install Windows 8.1or Windows 8.1 Update, then you are good.

If you have an OEM Windows 8product key and want to clean install W indows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Update, then you would need to enter a generic key below to install unactivated with, and change the product key later on instep 22 below to activate with your OEM Windows 8 COA product key.

If you want to clean installWindows 8 Enterprise*,W indows 8.1 Enterprise, or W indows 8.1 Update Enterprise, then you would need to change the product key later on instep 22 below to activate since Enterprise editions do not ask to enter a key at this step.*

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With Windows 8/8.1 The Product Key on preinstalled Operating Systems (HP, Acer, etc) is embedded in the BIOS in the Motherboard, so that the lost and/or worn C.O.A. Sticker problem is no more.

When you reinstall it will pick up the Product Key and activate the system automatically.

If it does not, follow these steps:

"How to Activate Windows 8 and 8.1 by Phone"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/24636-activate-windows-8-phone.html

"Get help with activation errors"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/activation-errors

"How to activate a Microsoft product by using Microsoft Product Activation Center"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929/en-us

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How to find the Windows 8 product key:

"Windows 10 Embedded Product Key Tool"

https://neosmart.net/blog/2014/windows-10-embedded-product-key-tool/

"We’re proud to introduce the immediate release of our newest utility for Windows users: the NeoSmart Technologies Embedded Product Key Tool. Designed for users of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10, our embedded product key tool will retrieve and display the Windows setup product key embedded in the BIOS or EFI, allowing you to store it for safe-keeping or use it to reinstall Windows with an official Windows setup image."

You can also use:

"Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit (Version 8.5c)"

http://www.belarc.com/free\_download.html

Or:

"Product KeyFinder"

https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Cheers.