Use 32 and 64 bit on same computer

I'm running Win 7 Pro X64 on my Dell Precision 370 computer. I also have Oracle VirtualBox installed and had installed the X86 version of Win 7 Pro there. Today I was told the Win 7 Pro X86 install was not legitimate. When I try to activate, it fails.

Is there any legal way to have both versions on the same computer and if so, is there any legal way to do it as I am trying to by running X86 under X64 in a Virtual Machine?

Have Win 7 in a VM makes it real easy to test stuff I don't want to mess with on my main system, like Win 7 SP1 Beta.

Hello Ztruker.



I had the exact same issue with one of my installs, also on VB, I used this method to activate it successfully, have a look at the tutorial at the link below.
You will need two separate activation keys though, 1 install = 1 key.


Activate Windows 7 by Phone

The area that you are questioning is something that holds little intererest to me personally. About a month, or so ago, a similar question was asked. Someone from the forum that I highly respect, I think maybe Brink, said that it was not legal. I know it was a highly respected member because I took the answer and accepted it without any doubt.

You are not able to activate 2 PC's with the same key. Even if 1 is virtual. You still are required to have a second license to have 2 machines activated.

Thanks for the responses. I can do without the VM Win 7 Pro X86.

I wonder if I setup a dual boot Win 7 X64 and Win 7 X86 if that would be allowed since in that case only one could be used at a time. Just curious.