I have recently installed & validated W7 Professional (32 bit) on my laptop. I now want to uninstall it and install the 64 bit disc on my desktop. Will there be a problem with validation; will I have to validate again the fresh installation, bearing in mind that it is on a different machine?
Hello Matata,
The product key that comes with a retail package of Windows 7 is for both the 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 versions that is included in the package. However, you can only activate one of these versions (ex: 32-bit) with that product key number. If you want to install and activate the other one (ex: 64-bit), then the previous installations (ex: 32-bit) will have to be uninstalled first.
You cannot have both 32-bit and 64-bit versions installed and activated with the same product key number on the same or different computers.
Hope this helps,
Shawn
Hello Shawn
Many thanks for your response to my question. Perhaps I wasn't very clear but I want to delete the 32 bit from my laptop & install the 64 bit on my desktop ie a different computer. Does that make a difference?
Kind Regards
Matata (Gordon)
If you reread Shawn's post you will find he already answered that.
"If you want to install and activate the other one (ex: 64-bit), then the previous installations (ex: 32-bit) will have to be uninstalled first."
So yes you can, but you may need to phone MS if online activation fails and explain what you have done.
It would be great if you would let us know what happens when you try to activate the 64 bit system with your previously used key. I'm sure you'll get it activated one way or the other but it would be nice to know what happens in your situation. Maybe it'll check and see that no other machine with that key is currently online and just activate online for you. Please let us know how it turns out.
Many thanks everyone. I will let you know how I get on but as the 64 bit is intended for a self build it may be some time ahead as I am carefully researching to be sure I choose the matching motherboard, processor etc.
Contacted MS and your advice as above was perfectly correct. Their response only said uninstall from one machine first and then re-install on new-build when it is ready. Will post again if I have a problem.
Thanks all.
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