Help, Need To Downgrade from Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit to W7 Pro 64bit

polarisgold · 07 Mar 2014

I bought a refurbished Lenovo T400 with a 120gig HD and Windows 7 Pro 64bit OS about 6 months ago. A week ago the HD died so I had a knowledgeable friend of mine replace the HD and he replaced the software with Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit OS without asking. And now the laptop does not function near as well as it did before.

The guy I bought the laptop from gave me a copy of Windows 7 Pro 64bit.

How do I get rid of W 7 Ultimate 32bit and replace it with the software I had originally, Windows 7 Pro 64bit??

Thanks you friend for helping in advance....

ignatzatsonic · 07 Mar 2014

Is there a sticker anywhere on the laptop that shows a 25 character Product Key in this format: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx?

Is that Win 7 Pro 64-bit disc genuine as far as you know? Even if it isn't, if you have the Product Key, you can download a legit ISO of Win 7 Pro 64-bit and burn it to a disc. Activate with your valid Product Key.

I'm assuming the Product Key, if any, is for Win 7 Pro 64-bit.

If you don't have a Product Key, you may be in a bind unless that Ultimate install did not in fact wipe out any recovery partition the Lenovo may have had at one time.

polarisgold · 07 Mar 2014

Yes, I have the key. But the disc I have of W7Pro is a copy.

Would you be so kind as to give me step by step instructions on how to do this or direct me to some instructions.

I am able to burn a new copy but can't I use the copy I have? Do I load W7Pro over W7 Ultimate??

user31 · 07 Mar 2014

Is there an option for you to choose x86 over x64? If there's an option then choose x86.

Layback Bear · 07 Mar 2014

Here is two tutorials by Brink and Gregrocker that will instruct you through the process.

You must have the proper COA key for you desired Windows 7. It should have a sticker some where on your lap top. If you have bought Windows 7 buy itself you should of received the proper COA.
Your key will work on a 32 or 64 bit Windows 7.

X86 is 32 bit
X64 is 64 bit

By Brink:

Clean Install Windows 7

Here is another tutorial by Gregrocker that has a lot of information.

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

ignatzatsonic · 07 Mar 2014

polarisgold said:

Yes, I have the key. But the disc I have of W7Pro is a copy.

Would you be so kind as to give me step by step instructions on how to do this or direct me to some instructions.

I am able to burn a new copy but can't I use the copy I have? Do I load W7Pro over W7 Ultimate??

IF, I say IF, your W7Pro disc is legit, yes you could use it. You'd just install on top of W7 Ultimate, wiping it out. Then update Windows and activate using your existing Product Key.

In your shoes, I'd download a new ISO of W7Pro and burn it to a disc. That way, you don't have to wonder if the copied disc you have now is legit, tampered with, etc.

Follow the links from Layback Bear.

Make sure to get the ISO that matches your particular Product Key, which I assume is for W7Pro. You'd want to choose the 64-bit English version.