use 64-bit key on a 32 bit upgrade version

[HerrKaLeun]

As student I purchased the digital-river W7 Pro 64-bit and I'm happy with it.
My university store also lets me buy a W7 DVD for $ 43. I'm considering doing this for a possible second computer or to upgrade a laptop we have.

I want to buy the 64-bit version (since the future is 64-bit). It seems the university store either sells 64-bit or 32-bit DVDs, not one of the packages with both DVDs. Could I buy the 64-bit DVD and install one of the 32-bit bit versions with that 64-bit key (the digital river links had leaked) on the laptop for the time being? the laptop only has 32 bit processor. But it might only live for 1-2 years. then I'd get some 64-bit computer.

I'd buy the Pro-version. I don't think there is anything illegal, since I legally buy two different student discounts from different vendors. I also will use that one key only for one license at a time (and also assume once I register online MS makes sure it only works on one PC).

 

[logicearth]

A CD key is independent of 32bit to 64bit, it will activate one of the other. Since you already have a DVD with the 64bit data on it might as well get the 32bit DVD too. The DVDs themselves are not tired to a single CD key.

 

[HerrKaLeun]

So I finally purchased the 64-bit Pro from my university store and used the key on the 32-bit version, which I installed on my laptop. Worked perfectly as a clean install (over an old XP, I used the format option in the W7 setup).
Now that is cool to have the home group and be able to back up all things to my "real" PC. The felt speed and responseness is about the same as with XP (it is a Dell Inspiron with 1.8 GHz Dualcore and 2 GB RAM). Obviously installation was a blast with W7 installing all drivers automatically and wireless worked right away. I have another laptop I recently re-installed XP and that was a pain to manually install everything... W7 rules!

thanks for the advice!