Upgrade Windows 7 32-bit to 64-bit without cd or dvd?

Anders_28888

Reputable
Jan 15, 2016
3
0
4,510
Hi guys
I recently bought my computer from a company that Refurbishes computers and other electronics. When i first open the computer, it asked me to install Windows, which it could, it was allready on the PC but i had to install it. I was wandering, can i make a so-called "cleaning" of my PC and totally wipe everything away, and how so? Also, do you believe this was a one-time-only to install windows, and will it be gone when i try to reboot my PC completely. I'm very green, but now i've tried to describe my situation as well as possible :)

I hope someone is able to help

sicerely
Anders
 

BrandX

Honorable
Aug 30, 2013
179
0
10,710
Yes, but you will need a Windows 7 disk.

I'm not certain, but the download page at Microsoft may allow both 64-bit and 32-bit installation, but I'm really not sure.
Download OEM "disk image" (burn to DVD)
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows7

<<Removed by moderator>>

Make certain you have the product key! If you don't know what it is, use Jelly Bean KeyFinder: https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
Write the number down and keep it safe, you will need it to activate Windows.
 

COLGeek

Cybernaut
Moderator
First, you can't "upgrade" from any 32-bit version of Windows to any 64-bit version of Windows. To do this (or vice versa), requires a full, clean install.

Second, don't advise folks to looked for pirated, illegal Windows sources. That violates site rules and could result in sanctions. Tom's Hardware does not support any form of software piracy. None. Period.

For the OP, are you actually referring to the Windows first time setup (vice installing Windows)? Also, does you new refurb system include a recovery partition? Last, the product key should be on a label affixed to the system itself or stored in the BIOS. Is that the case here?
 
I had a similar problem couple of weeks ago. I got a refurbished PC from brick-and-mortar store (from "Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher"), and it came with product key attached, but no recovery or installation media. The page @BrandX refers to works only for retail keys, and there refurbished PCs come with OEM version, so it's no good.

When I contacted the refurbisher for recovery media / instructions, he referred me to highly-suspect site where one can download full ISOs (but no keys) for a lot of software, including Windows. I haven't time to check the authenticity of the media, though, but most of the reviews on that site were positive.