My laptop and desktop both started on Vista. The desktop was upgraded to Win7, then Win8 and 8.1, but the laptop is still Vista. It occurred to me that I still have the upgrade disk for 7. Now that it's no longer being used on the desktop can I legitimately use it on the laptop without Microsoft having a fit? It makes sense to me since it's currently not in use on any computer.
If this is a retail Upgrade version of Win7 then it can migrate to any other PC that qualifies because it either came with XP or Vista, or there is a retail copy of either available to qualify for Win7 Upgrade. The qualifier doesn't need to be installed, you can Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version.
However if this is a Win7 Upgrade Kit that came with a Vista PC it may be tied to the Vista PC it was first installed upon. Look on the Disk now to see what it says and type it all out for us so we'll be able to advise you better.
Either way you'll need a readable Product Key which should be on an insert with the disk packaging. With that Product Key you can use the latest official installer with SP1 for the licensed version provided in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7, which steps will also assure a perfect install even for retail.
Ohhh.. It's a retail box but I just looked at it and realized it's 64 bit and the laptop is 32 bit. Oh well. Thanks for making me look at the box at least!
You can use either 64 or 32 bit Win7 with each license. The installer for either bit version is provided in the tutorial I linked.
When you say the laptop is 32 bit, does that mean the OS currently installed? Most processors are all 64 bit so that is an option if you want to try it. I use 32 bit on 4gb or less RAM but many others use 64 bit down to 2gb RAM and have good performance.
The install you have on there now has no bearing whatsoever on the one you will be doing since you should always boot the installer and delete all partitions during Clean Install Windows 7 Steps 7 and 8. The drivers are all in the installer or quickly updated when you get online to do all rounds of Important and Optional Windows Updates, so put your network adapter driver in your backup in case it's needed.
That CPU is 64 bit. Any Core 2 Duo would be. ARK | Intel® Core
I would personally install 32 bit on there with the 2gb RAM that came with it, but if you wanted to upgrade to 4gb then you could try 64 bit.
You might be interested in this current debate thread here: Poll: 64 Bit Versus 32 Bit, A Forum For The Differences
Other resources which are good: 32 bit vs 64 bit Comparison - Windows 7 Forums
64-bit More than just the RAM bit-tech.net
Thanks, good to know. My key is for the OEM disc I bought from NewEgg though. Will OEM be a problem?
OEM version lives and dies with the first mobo it is installed upon.
It qualifies for Upgrade version which has a similar price break, since it originally came with Vista - even if Vista is not installed on it, you can Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version.
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