Win7 HP 32bit - Win7 HP 64bit

Jaxsbudgie · 03 Mar 2010

Hello all,

I upgraded my system to Windows 7 32bit (from Vista) back when there was the student discount. And am regretting it now since i work in Photoshop all the time and need more RAM to suppose the work i do. So i'm looking to upgrade my system to the 64bit equivalent of what i already have (Home Premium).
I understand you can't use the Windows Anytime Upgrade for a 32bit to 64 bit upgrade. I also understand you need to do a clean install, which is no problem.

So what my question is, is what product should i buy exactly? Can i get away with an upgrade only? Or do i have to buy the full product?
I still have my Vista CD, so i could re-install the 64bit version of that, then buy the Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit upgrade?
Or is there a simpler way?

Cheers.

Jonathan_King · 03 Mar 2010

Welcome!

You can buy the Upgrade key because you have a previous OS already (Windows 7 32-bit).

You don't need to do anything with Vista, however. You can do a clean install with the upgrade copy. Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Hope this helps,
~JK

Jaxsbudgie · 03 Mar 2010

Jonathan_King said:

Welcome!

You can buy the Upgrade key because you have a previous OS already (Windows 7 32-bit).

You don't need to do anything with Vista, however. You can do a clean install with the upgrade copy. Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

Hope this helps,
~JK

Thanks for the hasty reply

I wasn't aware i could buy an upgrade key?
How do i go about doing that?
And surely my Windows 7 upgrade cd won't be able to install 64bit since it only has the 32bit version on it?
I'm mildly confused ...

Cheers.

Jonathan_King · 03 Mar 2010

You can go here to buy it: Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade - Buy and download from Microsoft Store

If you choose to get the download instead of the DVD, you won't have to pay shipping.

Jaxsbudgie · 03 Mar 2010

Jonathan_King said:

You can go here to buy it: Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade - Buy and download from Microsoft Store

If you choose to get the download instead of the DVD, you won't have to pay shipping.

Ah!
See i got confused when you said 'Upgrade key',
So essentially, i can buy the Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade and during installation it'll ask me if i want to install the 32bit or 64bit, and when i choose the 64bit option, it'll perform a clean boot of my system?

Jonathan_King · 03 Mar 2010

You know what, I made a mistake.

You do not need to purchase another copy of Windows 7. You already have the license, and that is good for both the 32 and 64 bit installations.

All you need to do is get a hold of a copy of the 64-bit media (I.E. DVD or installation files). See if you can find a friend with the 64-bit version, and borrow his DVD.

Alternatively, you can call MS and order the DVD for the cost of the shipping.

Jaxsbudgie · 03 Mar 2010

Jonathan_King said:

You know what, I made a mistake.

You do not need to purchase another copy of Windows 7. You already have the license, and that is good for both the 32 and 64 bit installations.

All you need to do is get a hold of a copy of the 64-bit media (I.E. DVD or installation files). See if you can find a friend with the 64-bit version, and borrow his DVD.

Alternatively, you can call MS and order the DVD for the cost of the shipping.

Ah ok,
That makes more sense, thank you.
Although i don't know anyone with a 62bit disc, sad times.

I'm trying to contact Microsoft Help and Support
And when i get to the screen which asks me for my product identification number, when i type it in, it says it's expired, which means i have to pay £46 for support!
I recently got a replacement motherboard, and had to do something over the phone to do with my product key, do you think that's affected it some how?