Windows 7: Use 32-bit product key for 64-bit Windows 7?

I recently purchased a Mac Mini but wanted to utilize Windows (specifically windows version of Microsoft Office) so I had my girlfriend pick up a Windows 7 DVD from school. My Mac Mini has 8 GB of RAM but she picked up a Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit DVD. I have already installed the OS and I have found out that only 2.16 GB of the 8 GB RAM is usable.

If I were to reformat my partition and install a 64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate over my current 32-bit Ultimate would I be able to utilize the same 32-bit product key? I am concerned either the 32-bit key is connected with a 32-bit version or Microsoft will not let me validate the 64-bit addition because they will think I am trying to use the product key on two different systems.



Any information would be helpful

If your girlfriend got this at school from let's say
the MSDNAA website, you should have I think it is
10 installs of the OS before encountering any problems.
This is just what I have heard but I have also heard that
there is no problem encountered after the 10 installs.

I gotta be honest and say that I don't know about using
the 32 bit key on a 64 bit OS but I assume that this would NOT
be possible.

I have 2 ideas for you:
1) Why don't you try using one of your installs and try the 32bit
key on the 64 bit OS on an install using Virtual Box- you're not
gonna wreck anything on your actual system so give it a go.
2) If your girlfriend did get the 32 bit version from school from
the MSDNAA website for free, she should also be able to go back into the same site
with her user account to get a 64 bit OS and free key also- ask her to look into it!

Hope this helps - cheers

PS: If you do give the 32 bit key a go on 64 kit
Virtual Machine install- please post back results!

She actually received it from the University of Minnesota for $35.00. However, the University only lets you purchase one copy and since she purchased the 32 bit addition she is not eligible to purchase an additional OS license (in this case a 64-bit edition).

Do you have any other information on a Virtual Box? I am not familiar with that concept.

Dam!!!

That definitely would have been the easiest way.
Not sure if MSDNAA is a worlwide thing, but I know
with my study, I use this site and can get a copy of each
OS including a serial key. This includes XP, 32 AND 64BIT,
vista (yukk) 32 and 64 bit and Windows 7 32 and 64 bit up to the Professional
release.

Why don't you try to find out if MSDNAA is available for students in the States.
Maybe she was only entitled to one copy if she is not doing
an IT degree or computer related studies. If this is the case then maybe she could try to
find someone doing such a degree and ask if they could download
the version you require and get a key for you/ her.

Hope I don't get in the poo for saying that!

Yes, you can install either 32- or 64-bit with each license, and you can reinstall as often as you like.

If it's Upgrade version then there needs to be a qualifying XP or Vista which came with the machine, or full retail which you have on hand and don't use while it's serving as qualifier. The qualifier doesn't need to be installed - you can clean install Upgrade version: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

If you don't have the media for your desired bit version you can borrow it from a friend or download from the net googling for Official Windows 7 ISO download from My digital Life to get a safe copy: Reinstalling Windows 7. Make sure it's the licensed version.

Nice

Didn't know the keys did work like that.
Have to remember that one- cheers greg

Disk is never really a problem.

Thank you for all of your information and this post will probably be redundant just want to confirm 100% the steps I will take so I do not have any licensing issues or have to reinstall again.

1. I have a Vista CD I had previously installed and then used the 32-bit upgrade DVD to upgrade to Windows 7 but it sounds like that will not be necessary since it doesn't have to actually be installed to use an upgrade thus saving me some time.

2. I currently only have a 32-bit Windows 7 Ultimate upgrade disc so I must download a Windows 7 64-bit upgrade disc or should I download a "full" copy? How can I ensure its a licensed version?

3. I downloaded Microsoft Office using the Microsoft Home Use Program which I received from my work. Should there be a problem using that product key to download Microsoft Office 2010 on the new Windows 64-bit OS?

Thanks again for all the help

The retail installers are the same whether Upgrade or full Retail - it's the key which determines which version will activate.

As of now we can link to your Official Windows 7 ISO download here: Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1 (bootable) http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-24395.iso

I don't know if Office 2010 is the same as the one you downloaded. I would inquire with MS Customer Service to ask how to order replacement media for Office 2010. If you download it from the web then be very careful to get a clean copy with nothing added.

I just want to give everyone an update and hopefully help out future users with the same issue.

I was able to install Windows 7 64-bit addition using the digital river iso. I was also able to activate using my 32-bit Windows 7 Ultimate code and it shows as genuine and all of my RAM is recognized.

I was also able to redownload Microsoft Office from the same link the email previously provided for the Home Use Program and was able to use the same code.

I want to provide a special thanks to gregrocker for his reinstalling windows guide. I especially found the MS Security Essentials and CCleaner to be especially useful.

Glad it helped.

The Puran Defragger is also a great tool to use after CCleaner Disk and registry tabs monthly. It's boot time defrag gets at System files which normally can't defrag, you can schedule a full Disk Check at the same time to find and repair File System errors, and the Intelligent Optimizer (on Addt'l Operations tab) when engaged will move your most-used programs and files to the outer edge of HD where they're read faster.