32bit > 64bit > Same CD Key?

NeoReloaded · 5 Jul 2010 at 20:08

Some dude I know online seems to think I can upgrade from Vista 32bit to Vista 64bit using the same Vista installation key I already have from when I purchased Vista?! Is this true and more importantly is this legal?

Thanks.

alex24 · 5 Jul 2010 at 20:08

Yes and Yes.

NeoReloaded · 5 Jul 2010 at 20:26

Wow awesome! Do you have a link where i can download the 64bit version or will i need to get a CD from some where?

Brian Stuart · 5 Jul 2010 at 21:22

You will need the 64 bit media which is the same as your product key ie OEM disk will only work with an OEM key

Aod · 5 Jul 2010 at 21:37

NeoReloaded said:
Wow awesome! Do you have a link where i can download the 64bit version or will i need to get a CD from some where?

Microsoft will supply you with 64-bit media for a small fee. on the other hand, if anyone you know has the 64-bit media you can just borrow theirs.

Six6siX · 5 Jul 2010 at 21:49

yes, but you can't 'upgrade' - it'll be a clean install

robinbredin · 5 Jul 2010 at 22:00

You can get the Vista 64 bit from here at Microsoft.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

NeoReloaded · 5 Jul 2010 at 23:15

robinbredin said:
You can get the Vista 64 bit from here at Microsoft.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

Apparentlly my CD key is invalid

1234543212345 · 5 Jul 2010 at 23:27

I always thought you couldn't, if you can is it possible with windows 7 aswell?

Six6siX · 6 Jul 2010 at 09:39

1234543212345 said:
I always thought you couldn't, if you can is it possible with windows 7 aswell?

yep!

BunnyKillBot · 6 Jul 2010 at 12:40

1234543212345 said:
I always thought you couldn't, if you can is it possible with windows 7 aswell?

Windows 7 definitely, I have had to reinstall a couple of friends and family laptops that shipped with 4GB RAM and 32 bit windows 7. You usually have to activate over the phone to answer the 'have you installed on more than one machine'-'no' question

Vista i am not so sure, i think they are possibly not interchangable

If you do some good googling you can find direct download distros of windows vista/7 32/64 online. Make sure you get the right version though (home, business etc)

alex24 · 6 Jul 2010 at 12:52

Again, any Vista or Windows 7 key is valid for both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of both, be that OEM or retail. As said, you cannot simply upgrade from one to the other, it must be a clean install.

Dano · 6 Jul 2010 at 13:02

alexhull24 said:
Again, any Vista or Windows 7 key is valid for both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of both, be that OEM or retail. As said, you cannot simply upgrade from one to the other, it must be a clean install.

+1

1234543212345 · 6 Jul 2010 at 13:43

BunnyKillBot said:
Windows 7 definitely, I have had to reinstall a couple of friends and family laptops that shipped with 4GB RAM and 32 bit windows 7. You usually have to activate over the phone to answer the 'have you installed on more than one machine'-'no' question

Vista i am not so sure, i think they are possibly not interchangable

If you do some good googling you can find direct download distros of windows vista/7 32/64 online. Make sure you get the right version though (home, business etc)

I've had a look around on the internet but can't find anything. I have an acer laptop that came with windows vista and a free windows 7 upgrade(when it came out) i have 4GB of ram though so i'd want to upgrade from 32bit home premium to 64-bit if possible?

alex24 · 6 Jul 2010 at 14:49

Again, you can't upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit directly. The license is valid for both, but you'll have to do the old install twice trick or similar method to 'upgrade', so effectively a clean install.

BunnyKillBot · 6 Jul 2010 at 16:44

For windows 7 linky