32 Bit to 64 Bit With A Refurbished Product Key?

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rootordie

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Mar 11, 2018
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Good evening.
So, I have a computer (HP dc5800 Microtower, Core 2 Duo) that, according to the requirements listed, can support Windows 7 64-bit (I'm on a 32-bit installation right now). I've heard of people calling Microsoft and getting a disc mailed to them so they can install the 64 bit OS. My only issue is that I bought the PC as a Microsoft Refurbished PC (from Goodwill). I have a product key for my current Windows 7 32-bit version, and the accompanying COA. I'm just not sure if Microsoft would let me get a disc with my refurbished PC product key. Any help/thoughts?

Also, just to clear the air, is there absolutely no way to upgrade to Windows 7 64-bit online? I can't download an upgrade or anything?
 
Solution
geofelt
You can download the 64 bit install media directly from Microsoft.
Changing from 32 bit to 64 bit windows requires a clean install.
I might suggest this is a good time to do that install on a ssd. Samsung evo is good.
Do not keep your old HDD connected during the clean install.
Later you can reconnect it.
Once installed, you should be able to reactivate using your original key.
Windows is 32/64 bit agnostic.
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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You can download the 64 bit install media directly from Microsoft.
Changing from 32 bit to 64 bit windows requires a clean install.
I might suggest this is a good time to do that install on a ssd. Samsung evo is good.
Do not keep your old HDD connected during the clean install.
Later you can reconnect it.
Once installed, you should be able to reactivate using your original key.
Windows is 32/64 bit agnostic.
 
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Solution
Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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Aug 3, 2006
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Go to This Microsoft Site. Read through the page and try entering your product key for you version of Windows 7. If they take it, you should be able to download the ISO which, if I remember correctly, it contains both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

I say "IF" because I don't know how Microsoft will deal with your OEM from HP.

-Wolf sends

-Wolf sends
 
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R

rootordie

Commendable
Mar 11, 2018
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Thank you everyone for the info. Geofelt, are there any good tutorials on how to install to an ssd and get my programs back afterwards? I have a rather large amount of networked virtual machines which I want to keep together, if I can. assuming I don't go the SSD route, is there any way I can take the programs I've already installed (especially VirtualBox and my virtual machines) and keep them together (copied off the computer) while I do the clean install? Or will I have to reinstall them individually once I've upgraded?
 
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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Aug 3, 2006
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Unfortunately, a clean install of Windows wipes the registry where a lot of machine instructions are written to tell Windows how and where to run programs. If you perform a clean install of Windows (going from 32-bit to 64-bit), you will need to also reinstall all those programs as well as recreate your virtual machines.

-Wolf sends
 
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