May 2012

This brief HOWTO shows how to take a working 32 bit 12.04 installation and convert it into a 64 bit system. You will be able to keep all your programs, settings and data. You start with a 32 bit system that can run 64 bit programs, then convert it to a 64 bit system that can run 32 bit programs.

With the upcoming release of Debian GNU/Linux wheezy, a new feature called multiarch is being introduced. The facility permits the installation of executable files (such as libraries and programs) from multiple architectures simultaneously on the same system. The primary use of this is to allow 32 bit programs to be run on a 64 bit system, but it has other uses.

With the release of Ubuntu LTS 12.04 (Precise Pangolin), this feature is available now.