Windows XP Pro OEM

sir-les-mp · 3 Jan 2011 at 02:52

A quick question about windows xp pro oem

What im looking to find out is if i was to get a copy of windows xp 64bit could i use my xp pro 32bit key to activate it and use it legaly
Obviously i would be removing the 32bit version first.

I know this is possible with both windows vista ultimate and windows 7 ultimate the key being transfereable from a 32bit version to a 64 bit version as long as you are not using both versions at the same time with the same product key.

So im looking to find out if microsoft also allow this swap from 32bit to 64bit with windows XP Pro

jake108 · 3 Jan 2011 at 12:36

As far as I knew. No.

Could be wrong though. Pretty sure XP 64bit uses different keys, cannot be sure for OEM though.

marc2003 · 3 Jan 2011 at 12:51

nope that definitely isn't possible with XP like it is with vista/7. you'd have to get a new 64bit license.

i believe microsoft did run a promotion when XP x64 edition was first released where people could trade in their 32bit licenses but of course that was a long time ago now.

Valo · 3 Jan 2011 at 12:58

jake108 said:
As far as I knew. No.

Could be wrong though. Pretty sure XP 64bit uses different keys, cannot be sure for OEM though.

Your right on the money there. Windows XP 64bit uses different keys than XP 32bit so swapping builds is impossible.

OP why do you want to move to XP 64bit? Are you aware that XP x64 driver support is pretty nonexistent, it has gotten better with Vista/7 being released but you would be much better moving to Windows 7 x64 for ease IMO.

James_200sx · 3 Jan 2011 at 17:28

XP 64bit seems dead. XP 32bit is alive and well.

Would go to win 7 64bit. I will when i have some money.

sir-les-mp · 6 Jan 2011 at 17:03

The reason i ask is im currently running the 32 bit version on one of my machines which i use for Folding @ Home.
As such i run multiple video cards in the system all of which are running a client. With XP Pro i do not require to use Dummy Plugs on the video cards.
Where as with Vista and Win 7 i require Dummy Plugs inorder to enable the cards for Folding.
As for going to 64bit xp i was looking at getting more ram for the system and want to make use of it rather than the system not seeing because of the ram attached to my various video cards.

koolpc · 7 Jan 2011 at 09:13

Better off buying the OS mate. Worth it in the long run.