Re-installing Windows 7 32 vs 64 bit problem

kenny_david

I installed windows 7 32 bit on my PC about a year ago, I didn't install the 64 bit version because I saw first hand how bad windows XP 64 bit was and made the same assumption about windows 7 64 bit then a couple of months ago I found out that it's not as bad as I thought and that it supports more RAM and I should have installed it.

I now want to re-install it to the 64 bit version but was wondering if anyone knew if I will run into problems with the Licience if I do this?? as I'm aware that microsoft have locked down Windows 7 so you can't install it on mulitple michines?? Does anyone know how they do this?? is it tied to your mac address??

Also I want to upgrade my hard drive, am I better off just doing a clean install or should I upgrade to 64bit first and then just clone that drive to the bigger hard drive???

(And just if anyone asked yes my computer can handle the 64bit version.)

user1842

kenny_david wrote: »

I installed windows 7 32 bit on my PC about a year ago, I didn't install the 64 bit version because I saw first hand how bad windows XP 64 bit was and made the same assumption about windows 7 64 bit then a couple of months ago I found out that it's not as bad as I thought and that it supports more RAM and I should have installed it.

I now want to re-install it to the 64 bit version but was wondering if anyone knew if I will run into problems with the Licience if I do this?? as I'm aware that microsoft have locked down Windows 7 so you can't install it on mulitple michines?? Does anyone know how they do this?? is it tied to your mac address??

Also I want to upgrade my hard drive, am I better off just doing a clean install or should I upgrade to 64bit first and then just clone that drive to the bigger hard drive???

(And just if anyone asked yes my computer can handle the 64bit version.)

The licence is the same for the 32bit version as for the 64bit version. If you buy it you get two disks. Well I did anyway.

GarRoIT

kenny_david wrote: »

Does anyone know how they do this?? is it tied to your mac address??

Also I want to upgrade my hard drive, am I better off just doing a clean install or should I upgrade to 64bit first and then just clone that drive to the bigger hard drive???

As far as I know the licence key is tied to your motherboard. I don't think 32bit/64bit has anything to do with it. I'd just do a clean install.

Groinshot

kenny_david wrote: »

I installed windows 7 32 bit on my PC about a year ago, I didn't install the 64 bit version because I saw first hand how bad windows XP 64 bit was and made the same assumption about windows 7 64 bit then a couple of months ago I found out that it's not as bad as I thought and that it supports more RAM and I should have installed it.

I now want to re-install it to the 64 bit version but was wondering if anyone knew if I will run into problems with the Licience if I do this?? as I'm aware that microsoft have locked down Windows 7 so you can't install it on mulitple michines?? Does anyone know how they do this?? is it tied to your mac address??

Also I want to upgrade my hard drive, am I better off just doing a clean install or should I upgrade to 64bit first and then just clone that drive to the bigger hard drive???

(And just if anyone asked yes my computer can handle the 64bit version.)

Licence can be used on 64bit or 32bit operating system, as long as it's the same version (ie ultimate, home premium, professional.)

You can't run an upgrade from x32 to x64 either, so you're going to have to reinstall anyway.