Windows 7 32 to 64 bit

Discussion in 'Software' started by lowlyartist, Jan 22, 2010.

  1. lowlyartist

    lowlyartist Private E-2

    Hello all,

    I installed the the 32 bit version of windows 7 to my machine. If I want to do a clean install of the 64 bit version will I have any issues with my product key seeing as I purchased the upgrade from vista?

    Thanks
     
    lowlyartist, Jan 22, 2010
    #1
  2. augiedoggie

    augiedoggie The Canadian Loon - LocoAugie (R.I.P. 2012)

    No, your current W7 X86 key will not work for your W7 X64 and I'm assuming you'll get the bits from a friend or a download from the 'net which is illegal. Only way is to buy a W7 X64 copy. That must really suck but it's not the end of the world. X64 is not much different except for recognizing more RAM. I'd say stick to X86 unless you really needed X64 for some reason.
     
    augiedoggie, Jan 22, 2010
    #2
  3. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    Off hand it should work, sorry Augie but MSFT did change this from the Vista saga on this and the key is the same, as I have two boxed copies (athough unused as I dont need them and one is a special version in black and gold and signed by Steve B) and key is same.

    You may need to call the activation line if prompted too though as it maybe that your 32bit version is still activated, but tell them the circumstances to the change and 9/10 times they will activate it on the phone.

    Caveate to this is you cannot have a 32bit install and a 64bit install with same key, its one or other.
     
    DavidGP, Jan 22, 2010
    #3
  4. augiedoggie

    augiedoggie The Canadian Loon - LocoAugie (R.I.P. 2012)

    Oh, this has trickled down to OEM disks where they have both flavours in one box? Well, I sit corrected then and apologize to the OP for faulty info given.:)
     
    augiedoggie, Jan 22, 2010
    #4
  5. augiedoggie

    augiedoggie The Canadian Loon - LocoAugie (R.I.P. 2012)

    Here's some good info from Ed Bott all condensed into one article. The W7 offerings are quite convoluted and legalities are questioned and things are not black and white. It's an interesting read.
     
    augiedoggie, Jan 22, 2010
    #5
  6. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi Augie, maybe not on OEM as they IIRC come only in one guise but dont know what the OP has here, which is why and I missed out mentioning we need more info on what disks these are.

    Good link to Ed, Augie as that will answer the question when we know what disk this is.

    Are they retail upgrade or OEM sourced upgrade which was part of a deal with buying a Vista PC within the upgrade period, this will tell us if you can or cannot swap, and do look at the Windows 7 licence matrix in Augies link.
     
    DavidGP, Jan 22, 2010
    #6
  7. lowlyartist

    lowlyartist Private E-2

    Thanks all.

    I purchased the retail upgrade which included both the 32 & 64 bit versions of windows 7. I just did not have the means at the time to back up all my data so I went vista 32 to win 7 32 upgrade instead of the clean install.
    Now I have the means to back up my data & I would like to go to the 64 bit for more ram.
     
    lowlyartist, Jan 22, 2010
    #7
  8. augiedoggie

    augiedoggie The Canadian Loon - LocoAugie (R.I.P. 2012)

    Great! We're all on the same page now. :cool Of course, you will have to reinstall all of your applications and your settings. ;) Good luck.:)
     
    augiedoggie, Jan 22, 2010
    #8
  9. lowlyartist

    lowlyartist Private E-2

    Hello all,

    Getting ready to backup up my data so that I can go from win7 32 to win 7 64. Is the backup tool in windows 7 the best way to go or is there a solid freeware program that anyone recommends?

    Thanks ;)
     
    lowlyartist, Jan 24, 2010
    #9
  10. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    The Windows Easy Transfer tool HERE which is built into Win7 is good to use, but I would also manually backup any important files seperatly just in case.
     
    DavidGP, Jan 24, 2010
    #10

MajorGeeks.Com Menu

Downloads All In One Tweaks \ Android \ Anti-Malware \ Anti-Virus \ Appearance \ Backup \ Browsers \ CD\DVD\Blu-Ray \ Covert Ops \ Drive Utilities \ Drivers \ Graphics \ Internet Tools \ Multimedia \ Networking \ Office Tools \ PC Games \ System Tools \ Mac/Apple/Ipad Downloads

Other News: Top Downloads \ News (Tech) \ Off Base (Other Websites News) \ Way Off Base (Offbeat Stories and Pics)

Social: Facebook \ YouTube \ Twitter \ Tumblr \ Pintrest \ RSS Feeds