Windows 7: New laptop with 32 bit, change to 64 bit

Hi, asking on behalf of a friend.

He has purchased an hp laptop with Windows 7 Home premium (32 bit).

If I lend him my Windows 7 Ultimate (64 bit) disk can he change to a 64 bit install of Windows 7 Home Premium? Evidently he will need to use the key on the sticker underneath his laptop. We both realise it will need to be a clean/custom install.

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I guess I'm asking this,
Do windows 7 and vista share the same approach with disks and keys:
There are two disks: 32 bit and 64 bit.
There are nine major keys available: Home premium (Retail/Upgrade/OEM), Pro (Retail/Upgrade/OEM), Ultimate (Retail/Upgrade/OEM)
Retail allows the transfer of licenses. Upgrade is a 'discount' license for people who have XP or Vista or a lower version of Windows 7. OEM does not allow for transfer of licenses.

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I'd be particularly grateful to hear responses from people who have managed this (on windows 7).

The key from the bottom of the laptop will not work. That is an OEM key for his version of 7. If he tries to install with your DVD, when he puts the key from the computer it will be rejected. The key is tired into the version of the OS.

Im sorry that this is not the answer that you wanted, but I wish you the best and an Happy New Year.

What if we use a home premium x64 disk?

@ richc46
Rich, 32 bit and 64 bit keys work across each other.
And, There is a disk image hack to allow all version of 7 to be installed from the ultimate disk.

If I understand the question correctly, when it comes time to give a key number, you plan to use the OEM key from under the computer, that came preinstalled with 7 HP. If that is the case, you cannot install any other version with that key.

I agree 100% about the key, but this is OEM. I have no further comment about hacks.

He cannot install ultimate with his key,
But, someplace hidden in the tutorials there is one on how to modify an image of windows 7 ultimate image to allow the install of premium, pro, and ultimate.

We are not planning to install ultimate. We only plan to use my disk as installation media, using the key on the sticker underneath his laptop.

He has windows 7 home premium x86 installed, and would like to use my disk to a custom install to windows 7 home premium x64.

I will re-look through the turorials/faqs.

I looked I couldn't find the one i was referring to.
Maybe he can contact the manufacture of hi laptop and request a copy of the x64 bit media.
Or even MS.

Good luck to yall

Hp apparently told him "you don't need to run x64".

I'm trying to convince him to experiment after creating the recovery dvds.

I found this link http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...e-x86-x64.html but it appears to be dead.

this (not particularly reputable looking) blog post suggests what I am trying to do is ok.
http://www.windowssecrets.com/2009/0...e-for-120-days
Apparently I need to delete ei.cfg.