Windows 7 64/32 bit question.

[Snuffhit]

Hey guys,

I recently purchased 3 copies of Windows 7 home premium (1 for each of my siblings and myself). The store only had 2 copies of the 64-bit edition so I bought 1 copy of the 32-bit version. Am I able to install the 64-bit software on my computer and use the 32-bit cd-key?

Cheers.

[Boris]

My copy of 7 Home Premium (Retail) came with DVDs of both versions (32bit + 64bit) inside.

So presumably you have bought OEM versions ?

[Snuffhit]

My copy of 7 Home Premium (Retail) came with DVDs of both versions (32bit + 64bit) inside.

So presumably you have bought OEM versions ?

Correct.

[-pops-]

Are these new computers you wish to install these W7 copies on? If not, be aware that OEM versions of Windows are intended to be used on new computers only. You may have problems with the installation because of this.

[Snuffhit]

Are these new computers you wish to install these W7 copies on? If not, be aware that OEM versions of Windows are intended to be used on new computers only. You may have problems with the installation because of this.

I do believe you're wrong. An OEM edition means that I have no right to transfer the software to another machine. Also, the license is tied to my motherboard, meaning a change in motherboard requires me to buy another cd-key... So nobody can answer my question?

[AlanHo]

Hey guys,

I recently purchased 3 copies of Windows 7 home premium (1 for each of my siblings and myself). The store only had 2 copies of the 64-bit edition so I bought 1 copy of the 32-bit version. Am I able to install the 64-bit software on my computer and use the 32-bit cd-key?

Cheers.

I very much doubt it - the key on OEM versions is probably tied to the product.

You could prove it by trying the install - if it accepts the product key, all well and good.

[MANEMAN]

So nobody can answer my question?

Probably someone can Snuffhit. I think AlanHo has just come up with a good idea ?

The thing is with voluntary forums, well............ people do it voluntarily. :D

Which means they go to work, eat tea, walk the dog, and a million other things apart from sitting in front of a computer. You have to sit around and wait a while for an answer sometimes. One of the drawbacks of free information.

Can you just rephrase for me what it is that you wish to do ? (Cos i'm thick :( )

So, you have bought three versions of Windows 7, and you wish to put it on three computers. What's the problem ?

Why do you wish to install one version with the wrong key ? (I'm havin' trouble gettin' my head 'round that bit !)

Again. - Why did you buy a 32-bit if you didn't really want it ? Seems like a money waste ?

Can the problem not be resolved at point of sale ? (i.e where you purchased aforementioned disks)

Installation, CD/DVD key problems can most times be quickly answered by Microsoft themselves. Have you tried this approach ?

(Not sure of Australian Phone or e mail contacts, but Google will sort you out on that.)

I've re-read your original post several times now, and I'm buggered if I can work out what you are trying to do, and I've got a feeling others on here probably feel the same, which is why there is a delay, and you are getting itchy. Double posting dont shift things either, although clarity does.

In your own opinion, is the request for what you wish to do, something that could be seen as illegal by Microsoft when/if you ring them ?

If the answer to that question is yes, I wouldn't bother to ring them. I'm sure life aint as complicated as you make it sound, and you know exactly what you are talking about.

Yeah I know........... It's probably just me again.

[Snuffhit]

My question is thusly, can I use a Windows 7 home premium cd-key with either a 32 or 64-bit version of Windows 7 home premium? In other words, are Microsoft product keys for Windows 7 sensitive to bit version because i've noticed that both 32 and 64-bit editions cost the exact same amount of money and retail versions come with both 32 and 64-bit versions? Say for instance I'd like to upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows 7 to the same version in 64-bit, do I need to repurchase Windows 7 or can I simply uninstall 32-bit and install 64-bit and my cd-key will not cause any issues?

[MANEMAN]

Oh ! I understand now. :D

AlanHo Said:You could prove it by trying the install - if it accepts the product key, all well and good.

CD/DVD key problems can most times be quickly answered by Microsoft themselves. Have you tried this approach ?

Before you try analyse things any further, have you tried either of those suggestions yet ?

Have a look at this link: Windows 7 which in turn will perhaps link you to the info you require.

More Key information here: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Search...+activate+Forum

[AlanHo]

My understanding is that when you buy the full retail version you get a DVD for 32 bit and a DVD for 64 bit with a common key. I have seen posts on other forums where it is claimed that you can install the 32 bit version and use it for up to 30 days before you have to activate it. If you wipe this version and then install the 64 bit the same applies - but once you activate it you are stuck with that version.

I have also seen a couple of posts where people have claimed that they installed and activated the full retail 32 bit version and were still able to replace it with the 64 bit version and activate it with the same key on the same motherboard. I presume this means you cannot install the 32 bit version on one motherboard and the 64 bit on another to ensure you only ever have one installation running at any time.

I have also read that the OEM and upgrade versions have to be purchased as 32 bit or 64 bit and that each has a specific product key. Thus to change from 32 bit to 64 bit requires a new product key.

Those who have purchased a full retail version are able to call Microsoft and get support advice on this subject. However - Microsoft are unlikely to be helpful regarding OEM versions - the system builder or retailer are responsible for support which is one of the reasons why OEM software is less expensive.

If you Google the problem you will find much conflicting information and advice - yer pays yer money and yer teks yer pick. To my knowledge - no forum member has yet given advice about changing from 32 to 64 bit with the same product key based upon personal experience - hence you could try calling Microsoft support or adopt my suggestion by trying to install 64 bit to see what happens.

[eyeCpc]

Need some real answers? When buying any OEM installation disk the product key on the sticker is tied to that one disk for the one system it will be used on. If you reinstall Windows with another disk of the same version, edition, and flavor(32bit or 64bit) you still would use the same key for the same machine there. That's usually in cases where a preinstalled copy of Windows is corrupted somehow and Windows is in need of a repair or fresh install.

With the retail releases of Vista and now 7 both dvds(x86, x64) come in one case and as alanho-ho-ho-ho mentioned earlier the two disk set uses one common product key. As far as buying an OEM disk and using it's version instead of an older version of Windows on an existing machine in use you are buying the disk for that machine alone. For custom built systems being sold the disk used for the OS installed goes along with it when sold. Two different applications while still being limited to one machine only under the licensing agreement.

With the retail disk there are also two different applications there as well but for the retail disks. Upgrade and full version. The upgrade is strictly intended to null and void the previous version already installed while the full can simply be used for a clean install. Once reference about upgrade terms is seen in an MS community blog at: http://blogs.msdn.com/mssmallbiz/archive/2009/10/27/regardless-of-what-any-hack-says-a-windows-7-upgrade-is-an-upgrade-what-you-need-to-know.aspx

[MANEMAN]

Nice of you to reply.

Many times it is a case of " Teach a man to fish, teach a man to feed himself" ;)

Have a good Christmas.

[eyeCpc]

Happy Holidays to everyone! :D

Hopefully that help clear things up a bit when reviewed. Having tested 7 since it was in beta form I simply had to buy the full retail version of the Ultimate edition and have both the 32bit and 64bit running on separate hard drives.

For a gift I also ordered the full version of the Home Premium edition for someone close. 7 has shown itself to be the best version so far and is worth having in either 32bit or 64bit or even both!

[MANEMAN]

Happy Holidays to everyone! :D

Hopefully that help clear things up a bit when reviewed. Having tested 7 since it was in beta form I simply had to buy the full retail version of the Ultimate edition and have both the 32bit and 64bit running on separate hard drives.

For a gift I also ordered the full version of the Home Premium edition for someone close. 7 has shown itself to be the best version so far and is worth having in either 32bit or 64bit or even both!

Hope you stick around here.People need as much help as they can get with Windows 7 at the moment.

I have Windows 7 Ultimate (32-bit) but at the moment am still running XP because I have got it fully loaded up with things like "Autohotkey", "Autoit", and shortcuts to scripts that are going to take me a long time to introduce into "7" to my satisfaction. At the moment I am just introducing things into "7" to see what works and what doesn't. Got to say there isn't much that doesn't work. They have done a good job on this O/S. ( I ran the early beta's too) :D

Here is something I use on XP that works well also with Windows 7: Control Pad

Dont be too put off with the wording "Control Everything with the Numeric Keypad." You can also use words to launch apps.

Launch any app. or url straight from the keyboard.

Once again......... Have a good one.

[eyeCpc]

Looks like a good one. thanks! I have a few more someone pointed me that will work well on both the 32bit and 64bit 7s to pass along here.

The first is called Liberkey that comes in Basic, Standard, and Ultimate and is strictly free. The difference between each is how many freeware programs are included in the bundle. http://www.liberkey.com/

Another great little gift for a 7 machine is called "Windows 7 in a box". You can read on this at http://www.nirmaltv.com/2009/11/13/windows-7-in-a-box/

The download page is seen at http://www.big-daddy-design.com/windows7inabox.htm This one has menus for all system functions like the disk management tool amd was well written. You'll find both of those interesting and actually quite useful at times!