Can you upgrade a Windows 7 32bit to a Windows 7 64 bit without a new product key?

PlymouthJoseph · Apr 23, 2015

I'm doing this on behalf of a mate...

He is currently running on a Windows 7 32bit, but he is wanting to upgrade to 64bit because he currently has 8GB RAM but he can only use 4GB because of it being 32bit. I want to know if you can upgrade a Windows 7 32bit to a 64bit with a Windows 7 64bit disk without the need to buy a new product key. Or if so, could you use the 32bit product key on a 64bit OS?

This may sound a little obvious but even I don't know and hence I am asking all of you.

In short, can you upgrade from Windows 7 32bit to Windows 7 64bit without the need of a new product key?

Many thanks

- Joe

ss202sl · Apr 23, 2015

Maybe.
First, you can't upgrade(there is no upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit) you will have to install 64 bit.

If you have the retail license, then you should be able to use the same key for 32bit or 64bit of the same product.
OEM licenses are specific for 32bit or 64bit - so you can't use the same key.

Darkbreeze · Apr 23, 2015

Did the operating system come pre-installed on the machine or did he buy a Windows disk? If he bought a retail 32/64 bit installation media disk then yes he can change to 64 bit. If he bought an OEM copy that was a 32 bit version or if the OS came preinstalled, then no, he cannot.

PlymouthJoseph · Apr 24, 2015

Darkbreeze :

It was custom build, so I don't think it is a OEM... But If I were to give him my unofficial Windows & Ultimate disk, could he use that to upgrade to Wndows 64bit? And if so, would he loose any data?

BadAsAl · Apr 24, 2015

He will need to do a clean install which means he will lose everything he has not backed up.
I would suggest he run the Windows Easy Transfer wizard and back up everything to an external drive, then do the clean x64 install and then run the wizard again to get his stuff back. He will need to re-install programs afterwards.

PlymouthJoseph · Apr 24, 2015

BadAsAl :

But what about a product key? I doesn't want to buy another one... Is there anyway around this?

All I know is he want's to upgrade from Windows 7 32bit to 64bit without loosing data, and without needing to get another product key

BadAsAl · Apr 24, 2015

Yes his key will work for 32 or 64 bit.
He cannot upgrade to 64, he needs to do a new installation.
He needs to backup any data he wants to keep and reload it after.

BadAsAl · Apr 24, 2015

So I think the answer overall is no. He cannot do what he wants... which is simply upgrade his installation and keep on rolling. He has to delete his current installation and start fresh.

PlymouthJoseph · Apr 24, 2015

BadAsAl :

Okay, but if were to go to Computer, Properties could he reuse that product key?

BadAsAl · Apr 24, 2015

That is not the key he needs, that is just the product ID.
He should have the key from the retail box when he bought Windows 7.
If he lost that key, there are ways to find the key using software like Magical Jelly Bean, which will let him install Windows but be warned, if that key is not legit it will not let him activate Windows.

Search

Can you upgrade a Windows 7 32bit to a Windows 7 64 bit without a new product key?

PlymouthJoseph

Distinguished

ss202sl

Glorious

Darkbreeze

Retired Mod

PlymouthJoseph

Distinguished

BadAsAl

Distinguished

PlymouthJoseph

Distinguished

BadAsAl

Distinguished

BadAsAl

Distinguished

PlymouthJoseph

Distinguished

BadAsAl

Distinguished

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page