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General discussion

vista 32 bit to 64

Aug 14, 2007 2:10PM PDT

i just bought vista home premium. i thought it came with 64 bit os but it doesnt. so im about to order it in. now if i install the 32 bit os can i clean install with my same product key the 64 bit once it comes in ? i didnt install anything yet and yes my system is 64 bit.

Discussion is locked

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I wouldn't think so.....
Aug 14, 2007 4:24PM PDT

have dealt with M$ products for many years and I suspect the key for the 32 bit OS will not match the algorithm key designed for 64 bit. It is a hunch however I say this because during the days of WinXP 64 bit a 32 bit key would by no means register.

To be sure I would contact Microsoft however your 64 bit version of the O/S will come with a new key which you will need for the install.

Of course this is speculative however a call MS support most probably (India) will set you down the right path and clear up any confusion.

BTW hope you haven't registered the 32 bit version yet as you would want to know what happens to that key after the move to 64 bit. You don't want that key bound to you 64 bit rig if you are looking to upgrade/reinstall the 64 bit OS.

Cheers

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64 bit upgrade
Aug 14, 2007 11:02PM PDT
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okay....
Aug 15, 2007 1:33AM PDT

i was just wondering why the 64 bit would come with its own product key for only 10. when my 32 bit came for 300. im sure ill have to use that product key that cost 300. but i trusted the cnet moderators more then m$ for an answer lol. thank you guys.


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It's the same key...
Aug 15, 2007 6:49AM PDT

Microsoft designed it so that you can use the same key for both 32-bit and 64-bit editions, enabling users to switch between the two unlike with Windows XP and XP x64. Thus, if you just order the 64-bit media (for the $10) it will not include a product key...it's expected you already have one. Too bad only Vista Ultimate ships with both x86 and x64 media.

As for installing, note that you cannot perform an upgrade from a 32-bit to a 64-bit edition. You can, however, perform a clean installation, which is actually what's taking place for 32-bit users using an upgrader's license to install Vista x64.

Hope this helps,
John