Can I use 64-bit without paying for another license?

joel406 · 04 Jun 2010

I have been doing it for years.

In fact...I'm doing it right now.

gregrocker · 04 Jun 2010

Every Win7 license can be used with either 32-or 64-bit, and can be reinstalled - including from one to the other - as often as you like.

muzicman82 said:

joel406 said:

Vista was the same way.

I use OEM keys with retail disk and visa versa all the time. Same with XP.

I'm pretty sure I tried that a couple years back and it didn't work. Clean install too. Ended up buying another license.

Starting with Vista, the installer is the same for OEM or retail.

All versions are included and can be unlocked with this tool to install with your Product key: Ei.cfg Removal Utility Lets You Use Any Product Key With Your Windows 7 Disc

It is the key which determines the version and whether Upgrade or full Retail.

joel406 · 04 Jun 2010

I made my disk manually. By making a ISO image and removing the file and reburning. I never tried the tool. I just keep the ISO on a drive if I need a new copy I just burn 1.

muzicman82 · 04 Jun 2010

gregrocker said:

Every Win7 license can be used with either 32-or 64-bit, and can be reinstalled - including from one to the other - as often as you like.

muzicman82 said:

joel406 said:

Vista was the same way.

I use OEM keys with retail disk and visa versa all the time. Same with XP.

I'm pretty sure I tried that a couple years back and it didn't work. Clean install too. Ended up buying another license.

Starting with Vista, the installer is the same for OEM or retail.

All versions are included and can be unlocked with this tool to install with your Product key: Ei.cfg Removal Utility Lets You Use Any Product Key With Your Windows 7 Disc

It is the key which determines the version and whether Upgrade or full Retail.

Ohh, so you have a modded disc? I know about the tool, just never tried it that way. I know the Vista/7 installers are image based.

joel406 · 04 Jun 2010

Good luck muzicman82 I'm sure you will be fine... but just in case if you do have a problem find Gregrocker he can help you through anything.

I have a HP laptop getting a upgrade to Win7 pro x64 from HPx64 and 100gigs of backup first.

muzicman82 · 04 Jun 2010

joel406 said:

Good luck muzicman82 I'm sure you will be fine... but just in case if you do have a problem find Gregrocker he can help you through anything.

I have a HP laptop getting a upgrade to Win7 pro x64 from HPx64 and 100gigs of backup first.

Thanks... I'm pretty Windows savvy, just wasn't clear on the licenses. I may just start my wipe in a few minutes...

I won't gain that much, but Adobe Master Collection CS5's Premiere Pro and After Effects are 64-bit only.... Finally. Photoshop and Lightroom already are. And Office 2010 is 64-bit. Yay!

Not enough RAM in this laptop though.

Lordbob75 · 04 Jun 2010

muzicman82 said:

gregrocker said:

Every Win7 license can be used with either 32-or 64-bit, and can be reinstalled - including from one to the other - as often as you like.

muzicman82 said:

I'm pretty sure I tried that a couple years back and it didn't work. Clean install too. Ended up buying another license.

Starting with Vista, the installer is the same for OEM or retail.

All versions are included and can be unlocked with this tool to install with your Product key: Ei.cfg Removal Utility Lets You Use Any Product Key With Your Windows 7 Disc

It is the key which determines the version and whether Upgrade or full Retail.

Ohh, so you have a modded disc? I know about the tool, just never tried it that way. I know the Vista/7 installers are image based.

You still need the x64 bit disc.
The modded disc only covers x32 or x64, but all versions.

~Lordbob

Tepid · 04 Jun 2010

Starting with Vista, the installer is the same for OEM or retail.

It is the key which determines the version and whether Upgrade or full Retail.

Or OEM, if it is OEM, you will not be able to move it. Or am I wrong? And I thought that OEM was 32bit or 64bit specific also.

Although,, it is my understanding that those Freebie Handouts at events are Full Retail License though, in which case, you should have no problems installing 64bit.

****************Off Topic***********
I have a USB key that can install every edition, both x32bit and x64bit flavors of Windows.
I need to add Enterprise though. I very much like the new image way of windows install. And being able to place multiple images in one WIM file.

I have been trying to get to creating custom WIM files with multiple images that I can install using an unattend script.
****************End Off Topic***********

gregrocker · 04 Jun 2010

Tepid said:

Starting with Vista, the installer is the same for OEM or retail.

It is the key which determines the version and whether Upgrade or full Retail.

Or OEM, if it is OEM, you will not be able to move it. Or am I wrong? And I thought that OEM was 32bit or 64bit specific also.

Or OEM. But OEM like all Win7 can be installed in either 32- or 64-bit with each license.

Manufacturers may try to restrict a certain model to 32 bit or 64 bit but they are violating the EULA and the consumer's rights.