The vista 32 bit and 64 bit key thread

A lot of people still don't know if they can use their 32 bit key to install the 64 bit version... (also in the opposite way)
And i don't think that you want to pay a lot of money for vista when you can use your current vista key
So that's why I made this thread, to clear this case out

So, the first thing I want to clear out is:

Can you use your 32 bit vista key (that is on the bottom of your laptop) to install the 64 bit OEM version of vista ? (You can barrow someones OEM dvd or you can buy one online for like 6 dollars...)

 

Anybody?

 

Wow, you waited a whole 30 minutes for a response? Chill dude.

The answer to your question is Yes, you can use the license key for 32bit and 64bit architectures. The key is not linked to the architecture, just the version (SKU) of Vista you install. A key for Home Premium is the same for 32bit and 64bit.

If you are planning to switch between 32 and 64 bit, you will need to do a clean install. You cannot "upgrade" to 64bit. The concept of "upgrading" to 64bit is incorrect. It would be similar to saying you want to "upgrade" from OSX to Linux. You cannot install some patches on OSX and suddenly it becomes Linux without clean installing Linux. Since you need to do a clean install, you might as well format the disk and make sure everything is really clean.

I suggest anyone looking to switch use the ABR tool and clean install guide that I wrote, see my sig ("Clean install guide"), as that contains tools and information to make the switch easy (no calling to activate Vista).

 

The Vista SP1 X64 DVD will allow upgrade from 32bits XP and Vista though

For OEM keys, you might need to do a phone activation though.

 

Edit: oops, replied to wrong thread!

That will be interesting. I didn't know they were planning on shipping a new disc (makes sense though). Have you tested this? Are you in the beta program?

 

I got SP1 beta through some means, I'll be swtiching to RC1 in January (bandwith limit =/).

This is a note from SP1 changelog wich was released last week I believe.


BTW: There also is a possibility that OEM keys are not interchangeable

 

OEM keys are most definitely interchangeable between 32bit and 64 bit. I'm curious, you seem to have some interesting information. Do you have first hand experience, or is this what you have read/heard through other channels?

 

I got another IMPORTANT question:
I just used the Magical Jell Bean Key finder (it shows your windows key and also office...)
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

And the code i get is DIFFERENT then on the bottom of my laptop !!???
(There aren't even a few letters/numbers the same)

Is this normal?
And when i want install the 64 bit home premium version on my laptop (with the key i use now = 32 bit) what code do i have to use? (code on the bottom or the code that the key finder shows me)

 

You can use any code.

Here's the difference -

The code that the software found, is already activated, and there will be no need to all MS or anything.

The code on the bottom of your notebook, is NOT activated. If you use that, you'll have to call MS to activate everytime you re-install the OS.

 

So can I use the code that the software found (that already is activated) to go from home premium 32 bit to home premium 64 bit???
(and is this legal,...) ?

 

Yes, you can, and yes, it is legal.

 

This is not entirely correct. The key found by the keyfinder is only preactivated when also used with the activation certificate that is embedded in your installed copy. If you ONLY use the key, it will not be activated, and you won't be able to activate with that key online or by phone. You need to also back up the certificate, which is why I wrote the ABR tool. See my clean install guide for details on getting ABR.

If you use ABR, then yes, you can switch from 32bit to 64bit using the same code and activation.

 

So how will it work with Anytime Upgrade? I mean, it might work with ABR, but it's not an MS product (it's made by you), and clearly MS must have something else to make it work.

 

Vista does not only work with a key, but also the activation. When you activate, MS sends you a digital certificate that says that Vista is activated. This is not part of the key, so if you have just the key, that's only 1 part out of 2. You also need the certificate.

The way it works with a factory install is that Dell and MS have a deal, and MS gives Dell a key and certificate to use when they install the system at the factory. If you later only take the key, you are not getting the certificate, and it won't work for activation, because MS knows that they gave that key to Dell, and no one else should be allowed to activate it.

The way MS makes it work is that you have to call them on the phone or activate online. That's what ABR allows you to avoid.