Windows 7: Windows 7 32bit to 64bit

keI have a toshiba satellitle L505d-S5983 with a windows 7 32 bit OS and currently 3GB of Ram(MAX 8GB). I want to do a clea uninstall of the 32 bit and reninstall 64 bit. The OS was OEM so Toshiba is currently only offering a recovery disc ( I am waiting on a callback from escalations at Toshiba.)

I do not wish to use an ISO file. I can use the ei.cfg tool but is my key still only for a 32-bit?

Will I have to buy another key? This seems so stupid: I OWN windows 7. but i can only use one version when retail customers get 32 and 64 bit? This is really sad. Any knowledge and advice would be great.

If my product key only works with a 32 bit system, what do I do? This is ridiculous. Basically, Toshiba sold me a stripped software (pirated, incomplete) and they get away with it.

You can`t use the tool to get 64 Bit if your recovery is only 32 Bit and why are you calling it pirated ?

You can use your key, but you are going to have to download the 64 bit installer. It`s perfectly legal.

And you don`t uninstall Windows 7 it just gets written over.

If I`m not correct about using the OEM key please set me straight.

you'd have to buy a new licence. buying a pc with windows7 on is different than buying windows 7 off the shelf so its right that you shouldn't be able to use the serial for 64 bit. Seeing as the main benefit is having more RAM by using 64bit and you only use 3 you might aswell not upgrade.

Good point, why exactly do you want to switch ???

Hello ursamajor83, welcome to Seven Forums!


Have a look through the information in this tutorial at the link below for some additional ideas and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

Clean Install : Factory COA Activation Key

   Note

Windows 7 / Vista is version specific and not bit-rate specific, i.e. a Home Premium COA Windows activation key will activate either the 32-bit or the 64-bit Windows Home Premium Operating System.

The windows 7 product key is good for 32 bit or 64 bit, so you can switch to 64 bit and use the same key. Since your install is a factory OEM install the actual product key used is a master key and will not match the one on your COA sticker. You could install using an off the shelf OEM media and the product code on your sticker, you'll just have to activate by phone. Many people have done it with out problems. Editing you ei.cfg file will not make your 32 bit install media 64 bit install media. If just unlocks all the editions for that version, 32 bit or 64 bit. You get what you pay for, OEM media is less expensive but only comes with the one DVD, 32 bit or 64 bit. The product code is still good for both, but you only get the one DVD. Retail media is quit a bit more expensive and comes with both DVDs, 32 bit and 64 bit, thats just the way it is. What you get with your laptop is recovery media. It's a custom disk set the just restores an image back to your hard drive. That image is the way it left the factory, bloat ware included. It's not pirated, its a custom modified image. All the big OEM's are doing it that way now. If you are resourceful and know what you are doing, you can legally do a clean install, with the correct install media using the product code on the COA sticker on the PC.

Toshiba come in 32 bit or 64 bit, why do you buy 32 bit?

All keys work on both platforms...they have since Vista and still do with Windows 7.

But, I agree with the advice that with only 3 GB of memory, there's no great reason to go with x64.

Reinstalling Windows 7 - How to get a perfect clean reinstall of factory OEM

Thank you for the reply Zomby88! Sorry, just got done working!


Not quite sure what you mean by tool. the EFi tool is to enable all versions on a disc so you can choose the one matching your license, I believe. And I don't want to use a recovery disc. I am looking to CLEAN install a 64 bit version of Windows 7.

I made the comment about pirated software in reference to the fact that in pirated OS, often they cannot be verified (or genuine certified) therefore not allowing updates from Microsoft. I realize I do not HAVE pirated software from the OEM: it was a metaphor tinged with loathing.

This is great news! Where might I find the installer? I spent last night scouring the internet and found lots of useful information on the process of making my own installation discs. Is this what I will need to do? I am still a bit confused by all the options out there and trying to figure this out. That's why I posted the thread. Thanks for the support!

Really? Please be specific here because I'm not sure I want to do that. I want to WIPE my HD clean: destroy the partition, start totally from scratch with a clean install. This PC is fairly new (18 months). If I do an overwrite, my partition in my HD would still be there, wouldn't it?