How to go from Vista x32 to Windows 7 x64 while installing new hardware too?

Hello everyone, hope you're enjoying the holidays.

Basically, I'm trying to upgrade the operating system, hard drive, and RAM on my computer all at once. The problem is, I only have a beginner's to slightly intermediate grasp on computers and I'm afraid I'll royally screw something up if I don't install everything in the proper 'order'.

My laptop currently runs with Vista Premium x86. I want to install Windows 7 Professional Upgrade x64 (I'll buy it from Microsoft's Ultimate Steal program), the WD5000BEVT, and 2 sticks of 2 GB RAM. I'm under the impression that installing RAM is fairly easy and straightforward, so assuming I do that first, I'm really just hesitant on how to upgrade the OS and HD.

- since I'm going from a x86 version of Vista to a x64 version of Windows 7, I'll have to do a clean install, correct? It's about time I did one on my laptop anyway, so this isn't a problem. I'm just worried about the term 'upgrade' on the Ultimate Steal product - will I be able to use that disc to do a clean install?
- if I'm installing a new harddrive, should I do this before or after I switch Windows versions? Again, I'm looking to do a clean install anyway, so I don't really care about the files that are on my current HD (I've got everything I need backed up). I'm just not sure if I can "upgrade" to Windows 7 on a new drive. Can I just plug in the new HD and begin a clean install with the Windows 7 upgrade disc?

I haven't ordered anything yet, so if this isn't feasible I'm not out any money. I'll also be sure to do a final backup of everything possible in case anything goes wrong. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

 

- It's x86
- Ignore upgrade, do clean.
- After new HDD obviously since you will take the old one out.

 

Haha x86, my bad!

So if I remove my current HDD, install the WD5000BEVT, and pop in the Windows 7 Professional Upgrade x64 disk, it'll install the system fine? Awesome. Much appreciated, thanks!

 

Well im not sure i've never used those upgrade things my self.. Since its called UPGRADe, doesnt that make it only be upgrade or am i wrong?

 

Make sure that all power sources have been removed so no surprise static anywhere when you swap out the ram modules.

I recommend that you first clone the current drive to the new one. Easus Backup is free and can be used for this purpose. Then swap out the drives and perform the upgrade. This way you have a full back up for an emergency.

Good luck.

 

There are many workarounds available on the net, they are widely known and it's the same ones that were available for Vista, so I guess MS does not care.