You can't do an inplace upgrade to the 64 bit version, so you'll be wiping out your drive to install during the install. Or you can do an inplace upgrade to the 32 bit version of windows 7.
No, you won't be wiping your drive... at least not if you have upgrade media. You will be performing a clean install which will back up all of your User folders as well as your Programs Files folders to a folder called Windows.old. If you have anything in any other folders, then it would be a very good idea to back it up... it's a good idea to back up EVERYTHING for that matter... things can and do go wrong after all.
------------------------------Desktop: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit; Intel Q6600 CPU; E-VGA 780i SLI motherboard; E-VGA E-GeForce 8800GT; OCZ Vista 4GB dual-channel kit; Ultra X2 750W power supply; 2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB in RAID 0. Laptop: Acer Aspire 8730-6314;
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I just had a look and it turns out all my other folders were intact as well... the only folders that get touched are Users, Program Files, Program Files (x86) and Windows. Still a clean install, but without a format.
I know a straight answer is always nice, but it's not always possible. There are always caveats.... especially when it comes to Windows.
------------------------------Desktop: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit; Intel Q6600 CPU; E-VGA 780i SLI motherboard; E-VGA E-GeForce 8800GT; OCZ Vista 4GB dual-channel kit; Ultra X2 750W power supply; 2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB in RAID 0. Laptop: Acer Aspire 8730-6314;
Reply to Zoron