Will a 32-bit key work with 64-bit media?

[RD28327]

Picked up a free copy of Windows 7 Ultimate at a Microsoft event in Raleigh, NC back in June. Was told that it was the full version, but when I got home, I only saw a 32-bit disc.

Was told by someone that a 32-bit key will work with 64-bit media. But, does it make a difference what kind of media it is (OEM, full, promotional, upgrade, etc.)?

Am presently running the 32-bit version of Windows 7 Ultimate, and so far, so good! Just wished I had the 64-bit version.

 

[mickey megabyte]

hi RD28327, and welcome to sevenforums,

i think so, as my shop-bought version came with two install discs (x86 and x64) but only one key.

also, my technet keys do not specify 32 or 64 bitiness.

although yours was maybe a special key?

 

[DocBrown]

Yes, it will but you need the x64 install media But only one version activated at a time!

 

[Lemur]

It includes both 32- and 64-bit versions.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Was told by someone that a 32-bit key will work with 64-bit media. But, does it make a difference what kind of media it is (OEM, full, promotional, upgrade, etc.)?

I'm always surprised when this is asked, because we're going on 4 years now since Vista's release...to when these questions were answered...and those answers remained the same.

You're key is valid for either platform, but only one at a time. Discs and discs, with only two differences....platform, and whether they are full or upgrade. If you get a legit x64 media disc, your license key will work with it just fine, will activate, and you'll be just as legit as you are now.

 

[RD28327]

All I have is just the 32-bit DVD, which is a promotional DVD. If the 64-bit media will work, then what kind of media should I get? Full, promotional, OEM, upgrade or what???

 

[DocBrown]

Find a friend with the Full Ultimate x64 version

 

[mickey megabyte]

now that's a tricky one.

i don't think you will be able to legally acquire a disc (or an iso) without also paying for a key.

*edit* good idea doc

 

[RD28327]

I was thinking of getting the 64-bit promotional media since I have the 32-bit promotional version. And I'm sure whatever kind of media I bought (Full, OEM, promotional, upgrade, etc.), it would have a different key than the one I currently have. Thus, I could use one disc on two different PCs, but have two different keys.

http://www.outletdeal.com/product.php?eid=11418

 

[Bill2]

All win7 disks are identical, get whatever media you want as long as its 64 bit. Its the key that you enter that determines what edition gets installed.

Also, if you have a disk that installs say Pro by default, simply delete the ei.cfg file in the "Sources" folder at the root of the dvd, rebuild the iso, burn to blank disk, then install the edition you want when prompted by the dvd.

 

[DocBrown]

I was thinking of getting the 64-bit promotional media since I have the 32-bit promotional version. And I'm sure whatever kind of media I bought (Full, OEM, promotional, upgrade, etc.), it would have a different key than the one I currently have. Thus, I could use one disc on two different PCs, but have two different keys.

Buy Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (Promotional), GLC-00182-64PRM

That looks like a pretty good price on Ultimate !

 

[DeaconFrost]

I wouldn't spend the money on another key, unless you really plan to install Windows 7 on two computers.

 

[Tinkerdog]

Yes, it will but you need the x64 install media But only one version activated at a time!

If you contact Microsoft, they may provide you with the 64 bit Media FREE, if you inform them that you picked the 32 bit media up at the event. That is what I did after picking up the 32 bit media in Washington back last year.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I haven't had a need to try with Windows 7, but back with Vista, there was a Microsoft website you could enter your key in, pay $10, and get the x64 media shipped to you.

 

[MoInSTL]

Yes, it will but you need the x64 install media But only one version activated at a time!

If you contact Microsoft, they may provide you with the 64 bit Media FREE, if you inform them that you picked the 32 bit media up at the event. That is what I did after picking up the 32 bit media in Washington back last year.

I received Ultimate x86 at the launch event too. I contacted Microsoft and was told they only offered the x64 option several months ago. They no longer do that. I was able to buy Pro x64 for $29.95 student discount, changed the ei.cfg file and burned a x64 version of Ultimate and the key worked fine. So you just need to get a disk that is x64 to convert. My version of Professional is the upgrade version.

 

[bobkn]

All win7 disks are identical, get whatever media you want as long as its 64 bit. Its the key that you enter that determines what edition gets installed.

Also, if you have a disk that installs say Pro by default, simply delete the ei.cfg file in the "Sources" folder at the root of the dvd, rebuild the iso, burn to blank disk, then install the edition you want when prompted by the dvd.

While we aren't discussing an OEM license here, I have the impression that the simple (ei.cfg) hack to genercize a Win7 installation disk isn't adequate to get it to accept an OEM key. I hope that someone will correct me if that's false.

While it would be against the rules to post links, I have had no trouble finding download links to the .iso files of several retail versions of Win7 on the Web. (These are the unmodified retail versions - useless without a valid license key.) I don't know about the legality of using a promotional Win7 key with a downloaded X64 version, but I presume that activation would be normal.

 

[Bill2]

All win7 disks are identical, get whatever media you want as long as its 64 bit. Its the key that you enter that determines what edition gets installed.

Also, if you have a disk that installs say Pro by default, simply delete the ei.cfg file in the "Sources" folder at the root of the dvd, rebuild the iso, burn to blank disk, then install the edition you want when prompted by the dvd.

While we aren't discussing an OEM license here, I have the impression that the simple (ei.cfg) hack to genercize a Win7 installation disk isn't adequate to get it to accept an OEM key. I hope that someone will correct me if that's false.

While it would be against the rules to post links, I have had no trouble finding download links to the .iso files of several retail versions of Win7 on the Web. (These are the unmodified retail versions - useless without a valid license key.) I don't know about the legality of using a promotional Win7 key with a downloaded X64 version, but I presume that activation would be normal.

Yes, the universal disk created by removing ei.cfg will install and activate with an OEM key. Mind you, I'm talking about system builders OEM, not royalty oems (win7 that comes preinstalled and preactivated on computers). Royalty oem activation works differently and depends on multiple components, not just the key.

 

[DeaconFrost]

While we aren't discussing an OEM license here, I have the impression that the simple (ei.cfg) hack to genercize a Win7 installation disk isn't adequate to get it to accept an OEM key. I hope that someone will correct me if that's false.

Yes, your impressions are false . Just like Vista, the discs don't care what license type you have, especially when you follow the logical way of installing...which is to choose your version, but don't enter a key until you are finished the install.

As mentioned above, the PC Manufacturer OEM licenses can be a little tricky, considering some discs are BIOS locked to that brand, and can come pre-activated with a key that resembles XP's VLK type key.

However, if you have an OEM system with a COA sticker, there's no reason why you can't take one of these generic, all version discs, and do a clean install...then enter your COA key. I've done this on ten laptops of various vendors for friends and family, and all have activated online immediately.

 

[Zepher]

I don't see why they don't just make 1 DVD with 32bit and 64bit on it, would make life easier.

 

[DeaconFrost]

It would be much easier, but then again, you'd still be doing installs from the slow DVD media. The steps are fairly simple to create your own USB drive that installs any version from either platform, and it fits on a 4 GB Flash Drive that are dirt cheap right now.