Windows 7: win 7 licensing question

I purchased a Win 7 home premium a couple weeks back. It came with discs for 32 and 64 bit versions. I installed the 32bit version as I was already running 32 bit Vista and just wanted to do an upgrade, not complete re-install.

Anyway due to various circumstances, I am now planning on a HDD format and clean re-instal and in such case would far rather go the 64bit route.

Question: after having activated my Win 7 32 bit, can I now install the 64 bit using the same license and activate it without problems, or do I have to fork out for another license, even thought the 32 bit version no longer is installed. My copy is a full version not an OEM discounted version.

You bought a retail copy of Windows which belongs to you for life, to run on your choice of machines as long as it is not on more than one machine at a time. Only factory or builder's OEM copies are locked permanently to hardware.

When you reinstall 64 bit (you can have either at any time), just wait until installed and insert key at Computer>Properties link.

It may auto-activate since it is on the same hardware, however there is a possibility that you will need to make a quick robo-call during which you will exchange a series of numbers that deactivates the old installation and activates the new one - this is normally when installed on a different machine, though.

If you ever have to speak with a MS person during the call (I haven't) then just explain what you are doing - possession of the card key insert and receipt will rule in the end.

Amazing how people think MS can deny activation on a whim. You bought it and it belongs to you for life. They are only concerned that it is on one machine at a time.

gregrocker: it's really not amazing, everyone loves to beat up MS... What's amazing to me as that maybe they screwed up with (Vista) but have now given us a great OS. And yep, they're still gonna catch flack! Oh well...

Thanks - good to know!

Cheers