vista 32bit license entitled to 64bit also?

so I heard that vista business 32bit licenses are valid for 64 vit also. they are also priced the same.

if i already have a 32 bit and now wish to up to a 64, how do I go about doing this? is there blank no licnese 64 bit vista pro cds on sale or for free cause essentially what one is paying for is the license. i just wana use my own license from the 32 and now change this to a 64

 

just borrow a installation cd and use your keys

 

do people offer OEM cds for cheaper

 

just borrow any oem cd, be sure that it is the same version like home prem or business

 

but can you confirm that it infact does work if one were to get any cd but have a license for their 32 bit?

the other problem is who to get 64 bit vista from since nobody uses it. so in the chance one cant get it. whats next. downloading is not an option

 

yes they work its the same lic key code install 64 bit and use your 32bit key they are interchangable. if you cant download it then borrowing one may be the only option. otherwise for 10$ you can go to microsoft and request it on disc you just provide your 32bit lic key and address etc and they mail you the disc

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

 

Umm...what? I use it, for one.

Call Microsoft themselves. If you verify your license key with them, they will send you a 64-bit installation disk for your version for $10 or something like that.

EDIT - Damn you Zfactor, ya beat me to it.

 

oh cool. thanks yes thats what I was looking for. I'll prob do that then.

 

ok I guess for the next dummie question:

I am assuming I cant just upgrade from a 32 to a 64 without some sort of format job right?

 

No, you'll have to format and reinstall from scratch. Back up anything you care about.

 

what about if i get a second harddrive, then can i boot on the new harddrive, install 64 bit on that?

then can i have both 32 and 64 bit OS on the same comp on the same key?

 

Question 2 is no.

 

Padmé - Is that a "no" for licensing agreements or "no" for technically not feasible?

I was going to try this mainly for loading a fresh Vista install on a dual boot, but both 64-bit, so I wouldn't lose my current setup until I was done setting up my new one.

 

MS will provide you with an alternate DVD media only if you had purchased a retail 32-bit Vista license.

 

I know that's how it works online, but I've heard that if you do it via the phone and speak to a representative, it will work for OEM copies as well. I've never tried it myself, though, so I can't speak with absolute certainty.

 

Oh really? I dont know what the % is but I wont hessitate to guess a great majority of people with vista gets theirs with their comps so its OEM. Can't hard shoulder the other people...

Im debating if I should get the 64 bit vista or maybe wait to get windows 7 64 bit.

 

Unless you absolutely must have it now, I'd suggest waiting until either (a) Win 7 is RTM, or (b) a free upgrade path from _Vista to Win 7 is made available (provided you'd qualify for that - it usu. only comes with new computers that have an OEM preinstallation of the OS).

 

ive done it personally with oem lic keys and got the media. i did have to call them after filling out the info online though.

techincally yes you can have both 32 and 64 installed on the same pc.. but you can not use the same key. ms will use the key for the first one its used for. then say you install 64 bit and re use the key ms will tell you its already in use. then you call ms and they kick it off the 32bit you had it on and make it open to use for the 64 and they set you up over the phone with the call in method. then the 32bit will not have a key. and visa versa. if you want both at the same time you need 2 different keys

and third WAIT for windows 7 its so much better than vista is. and dont get me wrong i really like vista i dont run xp anymore at all. but this close to 7's release id wait just a bit longer imo

 

I am sure that Padmé took this (licensing concern) in consideration with her post based on the query.

cheers ...

 

Exactly what zfactor said above. You can have both on your system, but you will need 2 keys.