Windows 7: 32BIT W7, Would like 62BIT...Also, Wipe HD then Restore Activation...

Hey all,


Ok, so I purchased Windows 7 from the Microsoft store around the time it first came out. I had built a custom built PC to use it on and I have decided to upgrade the RAM on this machine to 8 GB. I know to make use of this I must have Windows 7 64 bit, but I currently run Windows 7 Professional 32 bit. My question is can I install a fresh copy of Windows 7 64 bit and use the same serial number ?


My other question is: If I cannot do that, I am still going to wipe my hard drive clean and reinstall the OS one way or another. How do I un-activate my current Windows 7 so when I reinstall it the Serial number will work and activate properly. Also I guess the Product I.D. is my serial number I would use???

Thanks for all help, it is much appreciated.

Sean

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

This tutorial explains how to deactivate Windows so that you can install it on another computer.

Product Key Number - Uninstall and Deactivate in Windows

The serial number you mention is the product ID that specifies whether you have an OEM or retail version of Windows and is not the product key you need for activating Windows.

The product key consists of 25 letters and numbers and should be on the case housing a retail Windows disc or on the computer itself if Windows came pre-installed with the computer.

If it helps, I bought the retail version of Windows 7 Professional and it came with two discs: one for the 32-bit version and the other with the 64-bit version. The product key is good for both versions with the proviso that you use one or the other, but not both at the same time.

If you attempt to use both versions on different computers you would then fall foul of Microsoft's validation process, which detects pirated versions and versions that are breaking the terms of the End User License Agreement (EULA).