I have finally organised a new PC!

 

So basically I have bought a 64GB Solid State as my Primary drive, (for my OS and favourite games) and then my current existing 300GB drive I will move into my new computer as a Secondary...

 

Will most of my current installed programs (im upgrading from a 32bit to 64bit) work in the new computer? And is there anything special I need to do?

 

Cheers

they will work but I'm pretty sure you'll have to re-install them all.

It depends! This is mostly due to the fact you're changing from a 32bit system to a 64bit system. You might find you'll need to re-install some programs or find 64bit specific installers for others.

 

If memory serves me correctly, Windows might have an option during its' installation to migrate files and programs from another hard drive, but I haven't installed an OS in a while

Yeah I know all my 32 bit programs will have to be re-done...I know all my documents ect... will still work. It was just mainly stuff like steam and my other games that I was curious to know if they would work.

 

Thanks for the reply

Whether the programs will work depends on whether they care about where they are run from and if they need registry magic.

 

If they are reasonable programs and need neither of these things you can run them from anywhere and they will work, some things it would be best to re-install anyway as you cannot easily migrate shortcuts and explorer integration.

 

The 32 to 64 bit thing should not matter for programs as windows 64 bit can run 32 bit programs without issue.

Whether the programs will work depends on whether they care about where they are run from and if they need registry magic.

 

If they are reasonable programs and need neither of these things you can run them from anywhere and they will work, some things it would be best to re-install anyway as you cannot easily migrate shortcuts and explorer integration.

 

The 32 to 64 bit thing should not matter for programs as windows 64 bit can run 32 bit programs without issue.

 

I would assume it would be better to re-install them anyway?

 

For example I have Inventor, Revit and Maya all 32bit and I would probably benefit making them 64bit

With the question of steam: When I migrated from 32 to 64, I saved all the core game files on an external and copied them over to my new PC. I can't remember if some worked but I know for sure that your Source engine games will have to be downloaded again.

Firstly it is still somewhat rare to find 64 bit versions of general programs and secondly having the 64 bit versions means they will use more memory but also be able to use more than 2GB each.

 

reinstalling things that have explorer integration, shortcuts and license weirdness will be a good idea.

 

I think steam will actually work, but you may need to install a fresh copy where you want it and copy the steamapps folder in there.

With the question of steam: When I migrated from 32 to 64, I saved all the core game files on an external and copied them over to my new PC. I can't remember if some worked but I know for sure that your Source engine games will have to be downloaded again.

 

Ah thanks. I might be better off just wiping it and starting again. But I will transfer important things over.

This is Boring,as an experience[having done it many times]...

In short,despite it's a deadening experience...this is a good Time/Chance to reinstall,which means a full clean.

Boring but Tops.:hi: