Question

I just ordered a laptop, and it came with Vista Home Premium 32. I want Vista Home Premium 64 on it. I'm planning a reinstall. Does anyone know if my product key for Vista 32 will also work for Vista 64 for an OEM copy? As far as I know, I just need to get the 64 bit media. Is this correct? Thanks.

Update

The laptop is a Dell XPS M1330, and its hardware is supported. Dell would even sell it with 64 bit. However, it was significantly more expensive for lower specs, and I couldn't get it in red.

Answer 1

Does anyone know if my product key for Vista 32 will also work for Vista 64 for an OEM copy?

Yes, the same product keys work for both 32 bit and 64 bit versions of Vista. Not sure why there's so much misinformation about this on the 'net. I know because I've done it!

As far as I know, I just need to get the 64 bit media.

Yes.

Answer 2

According to the Microsoft Site, you can "upgrade" your 32 bit version to 64 for free, minus the shipping cost of a 64bit version on DVD. I'm not 100% sure how it works, but I believe they'll re-register your key to be legit for 64bit Vista.

I've been looking to do the same for my Inspiron 1721. If you go this route, let me know how it works.

Answer 3

One slight twist to the 32/64-bit thing:

If your key code is for Vista with SP1 built-in, you have to use a disc with SP1 built-in, or activate after SP1 has been applied. Apparently the key code mechanism was updated with SP1.

This is probably where the misinformation comes from - if you had a 32-bit disc from a promotional event with SP1 built-in but you tried to use the key with a non-SP1 64-bit disc, it would not accept your key and/or would not activate. You would have to use a 64-bit disc with SP1 installed, or install without a key and then apply the key and do the activation after SP1 has been applied.

Also I think Vista Ultimate and maybe Business are the only ones with both 32-bit and 64-bit discs in the box - the other versions just have the one disc for the version listed on the box.

Answer 4

I used a 64-bit DVD I had, entered my OEM product key, and Windows activated with no problem.

Answer 5

I suggest that you read over your EULA.

You should also consider if the laptops hardware will support 64bit Vista...

Answer 6

@Jeff,

I know that Vista Ultimate has a single key for both 32- and 64-bit (and includes both media). Are you sure that it's legal to take a key for 32-bit and then "borrow" the 64-bit media? I'm not asking if it technically works... I'm asking if it's a violation of the license.

Answer 7

@Dillie-O,

I've ordered Vista Home Premium 64 media for another install of Vista on a different computer. The difference with that one is that I was using a retail boxed version of Vista. It was a Home Premium Upgrade edition. Ordering the disc worked fine. I haven't tried to order a disc using an OEM product key, on Microsoft's site they state the that the alternate media is available for retail copies of Vista.

Answer 8

Firstly, the Microsoft site referred too only supplies 64Bit media to those who bought the retail product, not the OEM installed version.

If you want to go 64Bit, you will need to buy a new license, and the cheapest way (that I have found) is to buy an OEM 64Bit disk like these on www.dabs.ie (.co.uk, .com) and either use the key that comes with it or the key that came with your system.

If it doesn't activate immediately, ring the Microsoft activation number - it won;t kill you! Simply explain that you are reinstalling with 64bit Vista.

NOTE 1: If you wish to reuse the key which came with your system, you must install the same version (business, home, home premium) which came with your system.

NOTE 2: Windows Vista Ultimate has both 32Bit and 64Bit on the install DVD aparently

JB

Answer 9

When I bought vista, I did not realize there was a 32bit & 64 bit version. This machine is for my daughter, who does a lot of photo-shop cs3 stuff. I imagine this is a compile time flag, and that installing the 64 bit version will theoretically see some improvement due to using actual 64 bit instructions. Especially in the graphics end. Is this correct?

Answer 10

since my other question got closed (dunno why since it's related to this and this isn't closed), I'm asking it here:

Is going from 32bit to 64bit along the lines of going from Home Premium to Ultimate? Or is it a wipe/fresh install?

I'm thinking a wipe since you might have software installed that isn't compatible in 64bit.

Answer 11

If you live in the U.S. Contact Chris M. on the Dell Forums give him your service id and he'll send you the 64bit media free.

If outside the U.S. here is his instructions:

"To get the 64bit Vista DVD, your warranty with us must still be active. I can only setup orders for customers in the Americas. For customers in Euro or Asia Pacific, you must contact Dell Support for your country and tell them to look up

DSN Document ID: 158098 (Operating System Changes and Operating System Swaps - Dell Global Policy).

Once you load this 64bit Vista operating system, Dell will not assist in any operating system, software, or driver issues. We will only assist in hardware failures. If you want support for operating system, software, or driver issues, you must remove the 64bit Vista and reload the 32bit Vista." Dell-Chris_M.

Answer 12

This is driving me crazy!! My box came with OEM 32bit even though it fully supports 64 and I have 6gigs of ram and vista 32 only recognizes 3.2 gigs!! This is very frustrating IMO microsoft made the 32 easier/cheaper for OEM installation and therefore a ton of people are using sub-par operating systems for their hardware. I wonder how many more customers MS is going to loose to Linux and other smaller players like MAC? How can they keep customers if they constantly push us around with this crap? I am going to attempt to contact them and see if they have a resolution. I really do like Vista but this crap is painful for no good reason! ..I want to use ALL my ram and I dont want to go through hell to do it! MEHHH!

Answer 13

Upgrading from a 32-bit version to a 64-bit version

You cannot perform an upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows Vista to a 64-bit version of Windows Vista. You must use a full copy of Windows Vista to perform a clean installation of a 64-bit version. For instructions on how to perform a clean installation, see Installing and reinstalling Windows. For more information about installing and upgrading 64-bit versions of Windows, go to Installation choices for Windows Vista (64-bit) online.

Answer 14

According to the information on my OEM disk, the key is only valid for 32 bit systems.