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I imagine an upgrade path from 32-bit to 64-bit installations would take care of a huge chunk of the population MS keeps the 32-bit editions around for (enterprise 32-bit installations on 64-bit-capable hardware).

There's no technical reason this cannot be offered, as the Windows installer already replaces all system directories, detects incompatible hardware, disables drivers that aren't supported, and everything else that would be technically required.

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> There's no technical reason this cannot be offered

this actually isn't true. and I say this as the person who pushed for a 32->64bit upgrade path at microsoft in longhorn. at the most basic level - it is easy for the core OS. but any apps you've installed are going to be a crapshoot to see if they work, with their installers only expecting a 32bit OS, registry, etc.

upgrade is hard enough as it is so risking the experience to a customer of breaking many of their apps with no good path to resolution isn't worth it versus waiting ~3-5 years for a PC purchase cycle and their next preinstalled version of windows being 64bit and going from there.

Like I said, no technical reason. Just a user experience one.

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