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I've seen this post: Upgrade to Genuine Windows 8 Pro from non genuine Windows 7

But I need something extra. I need to go from 32bit to 64bit. Is that even possible?

My laptop's upgraded to 64bit. Can I use its ISO and just buy a product key on its own? And do a clean install?

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    Even if you can trick the upgrade into thinking something else, your Windows 8 will not be genuine. The only way of obtaining a genuine Windows 8 without having a genuine Windows XP/Vista/7 is to buy the system builder. The alternatives are free operating systems and piracy. Super User won't help you with the latter...
    – Dennis
    Jan 9, 2013 at 20:56
  • The Windows 7 upgrade disks only required that your current operating system was licensed. They did not require that the Windows 7 installation would be an actual upgrade and from the DVD you could tell it to do a clean installation. This generally requires booting from the DVD though. This allowed users to upgrade from 32bit to 64bit.
    – NtscCobalt
    Jan 9, 2013 at 20:58
  • Dennis, not looking into getting a pirated copy. NtscCobalt, does booting from a DVD still mean It's an upgrade? What happens if I need to format for some reason? (this is applicable to my genuine laptop I guess)
    – Matthew Grima
    Jan 9, 2013 at 21:06
  • @MatthewGrima, Yes I believe so though the process might have changed with windows 8. From what I remember the Windows 7 DVD (when booted from) would check for a valid Windows installation. This still may not work due to an invalid Windows 7 license on your machine. You are given the option to modify partitions before beginning the actual installation.
    – NtscCobalt
    Jan 9, 2013 at 23:10
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    Buy a new version and install that over your pirated version. Don't even pirate in the first place.
    – Ben Franchuk
    Oct 8, 2013 at 0:32

2 Answers 2

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You cannot upgrade directly from a 32-bit install to a 64-bit one. You will need to do a wipe + fresh install of Windows 8 x64.

As for the licensing aspect, that's generally off-topic for SU, but whether you used a bootleg Windows 7 in the past has no effect on whether you'll be able to install Windows 8 (as long as you have a legit retail key).

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  • I know that, but my windows 7 is not genuine, can I use the ISO from the other PC and just buy a product key?
    – Matthew Grima
    Jan 9, 2013 at 20:06
  • You can use any valid install disc that you want. Are you aiming for an upgrade install, or are you buying a full version of Windows 8?
    – Bigbio2002
    Jan 9, 2013 at 20:14
  • Upgrade install would limit me to windows 32 wouldn't it? It doesn't matter what I do to be honest. All I want is a genuine windows 8 64 bit pc
    – Matthew Grima
    Jan 9, 2013 at 20:24
  • @Bigbio2002, you can upgrade using custom install according to windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/…. This will wipe out your data but it will allow you to use an upgrade disk and upgrade key to go from 32bit to 64bit provided you already have a licensed 32bit install.
    – NtscCobalt
    Jan 9, 2013 at 23:21
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    @MatthewGrima - No. You can upgrade to 64-bit but it means doing a clean install, since your current Windows 7 license is not legit, you won't be able to upgrade no matter what.
    – Ramhound
    Jan 9, 2013 at 23:59
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Buy the OEM version of Windows 8 from a retailer, back up your whole system, do a fresh install of Windows 8, then copy the files you want from your backup.

See: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-windows_install/windows-8-retail-box-version/7fbc820e-a0a4-4080-b04d-e1ab4fa3eaee

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