OEM, Retail, 32bit, 64bit

Skilid · 30 Dec 2011 at 16:24

Hi everyone. I would just like to clear something up in my mind.

I have just bought a new laptop with, for some reason, 32bit W7 HP. I want to format the disc and put a fresh copy of W7 on to get rid of all the extra pap that comes on it.

I have a retail copy of W7 with both 32bit and 64bit discs. Am I correct in saying that I cannot use this with my OEM license key on the bottom of the laptop?

My friend has a 64bit W7 OEM disc that he ordered from OcUK when we built his system. Could I use this without any issues with my license key from the bottom of the laptop?

Many thanks

Dano · 30 Dec 2011 at 16:52

Use your 64bit disc, it should be fine.

Hyburnate · 30 Dec 2011 at 16:54

Should be able too.

Skilid · 30 Dec 2011 at 17:02

Dano said:
Use your 64bit disc, it should be fine.

My retail one? I didn't think OEM keys would work with Retail copies?

Dano · 30 Dec 2011 at 17:08

EliotG said:
My retail one? I didn't think OEM keys would work with Retail copies?

It will, I've done this several times.

Meatball · 30 Dec 2011 at 22:30

It'll be fine, I've used my retail W7 retail disks to reinstall several laptops with OEM licenses

Skilid · 30 Dec 2011 at 22:41

Now I just need to borrow someone's external usb dvd rw drive lol.

Dano · 30 Dec 2011 at 23:04

EliotG said:
Now I just need to borrow someone's external usb dvd rw drive lol.

You could always use a USB stick instead

Skilid · 31 Dec 2011 at 13:53

Dano said:
You could always use a USB stick instead

I want to create a set of recovery discs for it in case everything goes kaboom