Windows 7 is basically just Vista SP3 (the version of Vista that SHOULD have been Vista but as always, M$oft users are their Beta testers - we pay them to test their software).

64-bit is the future, the sooner you convert the more compatible you'll be with new releases.

You can (and should) run the compatibility checker found at (which doesn't necessarily apply if you already have a version of 7 installed, just including the link for everyone else): http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=1b544e90-7659-4bd9-9e51-2497c146af15

I found this writeup helpful: http://kometbomb.net/2009/05/07/migrating-from-32-bit-xp-to-64-bit-windows-7/

According to Microsoft at http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/41531554-d5ef-4f2c-8fb9-149bdc5c8a701033.mspx :

---Quote---
If you are currently running a 32-bit version of Windows, you can only perform an upgrade to another 32-bit version of Windows. Similarly, if you are running a 64-bit version of Windows Vista, you can only perform an upgrade to another 64-bit version of Windows Vista.

If you want to move from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows Vista, you'll need to back up your files and then perform a custom installation of the 64-bit version of Windows Vista. For more information, see Installing and reinstalling Windows (http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/e77344fa-e978-464c-953e-eba44f0522671033.mspx).
---End Quote---

For information about how to restore your files after a clean installation, go to http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=83716 . But the link discusses XP to Vista, not 32 to 64. However the information might prove useful if you used the paths described to create your backups from in the first place.

Tricky to say the least. You might save the most time and effort to just reload all your software (with 64bit versions if available) and files yourself instead of trusting M$oft to do it for you.

I will have to say no, but make a backup of your documents and settings folder, and all your application data, as you can restore things like your internet favourites and things, though there may be compatibility issues with your 32 bit software files being moved to a 64 bit system, but its still worth a shot.

(personally I steer clear of 64-bit OSes but have had no incompatibility issues with winXP moving applictation data to win7 ultimate 32bit)

It is annoying that you can't upgrade from win7 to win7, or from XP :(

Windows 7 password reset can be achieved with password reset disk. Win7 allows its users to create a password reset disk when they set a password to protect the system. If you didn’t create one, you can download a password recovery tool to reset Windows 7 password you forgot safely and quickly as well. Windows login recovery is available, if you would like to try.

Not sure. I know there's a migration tool but you asking about something a bit different. The link below takes you to a formost expert in the field if he doesn't have anything about it I'd say it can't be done. ---Oh--- Wait a minute you want to move programs. No that's not do-able ever you couldn't do that from Vista to Vista. This guy though did mention a program that allowed portability kind of an ISO of certain apps that could be restored but I'd say going from 32 bit to 64 well that's just asking for trouble even if there was a hack. As far as settings that honestly couldn't take 20 minutes to setup. If you were worried about bookmarks you could just use xmarks which syncs your bookmarks, RSS feeds, and if you want passwords to their servers and then just reinstall and update your new OS browsers with your old bookmarks.