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@Stilicho F"The software Key can be used the same one that came originally with the 32 bit W7 "
Hello. My area is laptop audio, definitely not operating systems, but i would be remiss should I not pass along my understanding. This is something that I picked up on this forum many years ago. I can't give a source for this information and must stress that it might be erroneous. The context was using Dell branded re installation dvds.
We were told that we could use any Dell re installation disc (not just the one that came with the laptop) to reinstall the same Windows edition that had been pre-installed on the laptop, or a lower edition, but not a higher edition. In other words if the laptop had come with Windows Pro we could re-install Windows Pro or Windows Home, but if it came with Windows Home (32 bit) we could not use the dvd to install Windows Pro (64 bit).
Jphughan might offer some clarification or correction of my information, or you might private message Dr. Philip Yip. Philip is the expert on Windows installations.
Yes that's true. I assumed that the OP intended to keep the same Windows edition and simply use the 64-bit version, not change editions. But that's good to point out in case that wasn't clear. 64-bit is not considered a higher edition than 32-bit; it's just a different architecture, so for example a key for Windows 7 Home Premium can be used to activate the 32-bit or 64-bit version, but it would NOT be usable to activate Windows 7 Pro (32 or 64-bit), and I'm fairly sure it couldn't be used to activate Windows 7 Home Basic either.
Yes to both questions. :)
@Stilicho F"The software Key can be used the same one that came originally with the 32 bit W7 "
Hello. My area is laptop audio, definitely not operating systems, but i would be remiss should I not pass along my understanding. This is something that I picked up on this forum many years ago. I can't give a source for this information and must stress that it might be erroneous. The context was using Dell branded re installation dvds.
We were told that we could use any Dell re installation disc (not just the one that came with the laptop) to reinstall the same Windows edition that had been pre-installed on the laptop, or a lower edition, but not a higher edition. In other words if the laptop had come with Windows Pro we could re-install Windows Pro or Windows Home, but if it came with Windows Home (32 bit) we could not use the dvd to install Windows Pro (64 bit).
Jphughan might offer some clarification or correction of my information, or you might private message Dr. Philip Yip. Philip is the expert on Windows installations.
I never use Dell installation media, but I do NOT believe it is true that product keys can be used to activate any “downlevel” edition of Windows compared to the edition your key is assigned to. If you have a key for Pro, I believe you can only use it to activate Pro, not Home. Again, Dell installation media may be different, but I would be surprised. You also can’t activate older versions of the same edition. For example, a Windows 8 Pro key cannot be used to activate Windows 7. Downgrade rights are available to enterprise licenses and certain OEM licenses that are sold with them. They are not standard.
@jphughan"I do NOT believe it is true that product keys can be used to activate any “downlevel” edition of Windows compared to the edition your key is assigned to."
If that is true then certainly one couldn't go to a higher level edition. So my concern for @Stilicho F is to be aware of which edition you are planning to install as you go from 32 bits to 64 bits.
The Windows 7 editions were Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise, Ultimate, and some special purpose editions. I think a 64 bit version was available for Home Premium and upward.
Yes that's true. I assumed that the OP intended to keep the same Windows edition and simply use the 64-bit version, not change editions. But that's good to point out in case that wasn't clear. 64-bit is not considered a higher edition than 32-bit; it's just a different architecture, so for example a key for Windows 7 Home Premium can be used to activate the 32-bit or 64-bit version, but it would NOT be usable to activate Windows 7 Pro (32 or 64-bit), and I'm fairly sure it couldn't be used to activate Windows 7 Home Basic either.
