Windows 7 - Upgrade from Home to Pro

My desktop OS is Win 7 Pro 32-bit installed from a retail disk. I just purchased a laptop with reinstalled Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit. I want to install the Pro version to the laptop from the retail disks which has disks for both 32 & 64 bit versions. How can I make the upgrade? Does it make any difference if I use 32 or 64 bit for the upgrade? Note: the laptop does not have a cd drive and I will need to purchase an external drive. Could this pose an installation problem?

Just out of curiosity, why do you want to upgrade to Pro? Unless you need the ability to access a domain the upgrade really isn't worthwhile.

Type Anytime Upgrade in Start Search box, input the Product Key, in minutes it will unlock the extra features in Pro. Save a Windows 7 backup image to use in place of reinstalls: Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

If you want to change bit-version, you'll have to boot the installer to clean reinstall. Without a DVD drive you'll need to use another machine to extract the DVD ISO using ImgBurn, then write it to flash stick using Universal USB Installer, boot using one-time BIOS Boot Menu key, under USB, Removable and HD's.

If you don`t have a key you will not be able to activate it. You have already used your key on the desktop. Unless you have a darn good reason, it makes no sense to install Pro over HP. Compare the 2 versions and see if you need the few extra features.

No install files needed.
Only the Upgrade key is need.
Anytime upgrade only adds-on the Programs & Features from version to version.
Windows Anytime Upgrade - How to

Thanks to all who responded.

Main reason - I found Administrative Tools were disabled! I did not have this problem with Pro version. Makes me wonder what else Microsoft has disabled. Microsoft's pension for disabling functions and all their "permission" requirements really aggravate me!

I'm running Win 7 HP on this computer and Admin tools are not disabled, they are not obviously available, but aren't disabled. See this tutorial: Administrative Tools - Add or Remove from Start Menu



If yours are truly disabled, perhaps the PC mfr "customized" Win 7 for you but don't blame MS.

The 2 major advantages of Pro over HP are the ability to login to a Domain and with Pro you can download XP mode from MS.