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    windows 7 ultimate activation and licensing question

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Sparky894, Dec 2, 2009.

  1. Sparky894

    Sparky894 Notebook Evangelist

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    I bought the retail copy of windows 7 ultimate.

    The package came with both the 32bit and 64bit DVD for windows 7 Ultimate.

    My question is this :-

    1) Can I install and activate both the 32bit and 64bit of windows on the same machine ?

    2) Is it legal to do this or do I need to buy a separate license for each version - which is 1 license for 32bit and another license for the 64bit windows 7 Ultimate ?

    Regards

    Sparky894
     
    Sparky894, Dec 2, 2009
    #1
  2. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    That license is good for one machine, either 32-bit or 64-bit. I'm not entirely clear on what you mean, so I'll just say:
    1.- It is not okay to install 32-bit on one computer and 64-bit on another and activate with the same key (it probably won't let you activate).
    2.- It is okay to install either the 32-bit or 64-bit version on a computer, with the same key.
    3.- It is okay to install the 32-bit version, and then, when you realize you need 64-bit for 3GB+ RAM, reformat and install the 64-bit version. The same key is used.
     
    MidnightSun, Dec 2, 2009
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  3. Sparky894

    Sparky894 Notebook Evangelist

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    Thank you for your reply.

    To cut it short - Can I install both the 32bit and 64bit versions of windows 7 on the "Same" Machine and activate them with the 1 product key ?

    Both 32bit and 64bit versions of windows 7 are installed on the same 1 machine.

    Is this legal ?

    Or do I need 1 product key for the 32bit version and another product key for the 64bit version ... thus buying 2 copies of windows 7 ???

    :confused:

    :)
     
    Sparky894, Dec 2, 2009
    #3
  4. kanehi

    kanehi Notebook Deity

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    You can't install BOTH in one machine. It's either one or the other. The key works for both version.
     
    kanehi, Dec 2, 2009
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  5. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    actually, you could, it's called dual boot.

    question is, is it legal.. as it would be one OS running at a time at max, only..

    would have to read the license in detail.
     
    davepermen, Dec 2, 2009
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  6. kanehi

    kanehi Notebook Deity

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    It's rather useless to have the same OS whether 32 or 64 in the same drive. What is the purpose of having a dual booting Win7? Doesn't make sense.
     
    kanehi, Dec 3, 2009
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  7. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    i see some purposes. when doing game development, it allows you to test on the same hw with both os' to find out if there are bugs.

    that's just one, random example. there are others. maybe the OP has some use you haven't imagined?
     
    davepermen, Dec 3, 2009
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