32-bit to 64-bit file transfer / disk copy

I'm getting a new laptop, which will be 64-bit. Current system is 32-bit. Is it possible to copy programs from one to the other, or must I reinstall everything? Also, can I connect the 2 directly to do a transfer of installed programs? What software would I use?

You will have to reinstall the programs. You can transfer the program folders over but they won't run because they were installed in a 32-bit environment and also the transfer won't carry over the registry entries. Before reinstalling the programs make sure you have got the 64-bit compatible versions.

With regards to hooking up the two PC's for transfers, you could setup a simple network and copy over via ethernet, but the easier option would be to burn your existing data to rewritable media and load it from that to the new machine.

Thanks. Not what I wanted, but at least now I know.