If I buy Vista Business 64bit...

[Nexworks]

If I buy Vista Business 64bit, but dont want to use it as a 64bit OS just yet (due to missing signed drivers and all that), can I install its 32bit version instead? Or would I have to buy the 32bit and 64bit editions of the exact same thing?

 

[stash]

I'm pretty sure Ultimate Retail is the only version that comes with both x86 and x64 versions in the box. So if you bought Ultimate Retail, you could do it. Bu I'm pretty sure you'll need to purchase two separate copies/licenses of any other SKU.

 

[Nexworks]

There are 32 and 64bit editions of Ultimate aswell though. Ugh, confused 🙁

 

[stash]

Retail or OEM?

 

[Navid]

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

 

[fyleow]

..

 

[stash]

edit: you and I are in violent agreement I think. We're saying the same thing 🙂

Ahh...except for the part about ordering the media for 10 bucks...you're right.

 

[Nexworks]

So the Ultimate key will work for both 32 and 64 bit editions? What about the Home Ultimate or Business keys? Locked to their respective versions?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Nexworks
So the Ultimate key will work for both 32 and 64 bit editions? What about the Home Ultimate or Business keys? Locked to their respective versions?

If you buy retail Home Premium or retail Business, you should be able to install the same key with either a 64-bit or 32-bit DVD, your choice. If you want the option to use 64-bit, you just need to order the DVD containing 64-bit, as the guys already said. With retail Vista Ultimate, they throw in both DVDs in the box so you have both options right there already.

If you buy OEM Vista, any variant, you commit to 32-bit or 64-bit when you buy that version.

 

[Nexworks]

That explains why OEM is so much cheaper. Alright, thanks for the help!

 

[stash]

The other reason is that OEM doesn't come with support from Microsoft. Generally you purchase an OEM copy with a new system, meaning the OEM (Dell, HP, etc) will provide you with support. But if you purchase an OEM copy from Newegg or whatever, you are the OEM, so you get to support yourself 🙂

 

[mechBgon]

And of course the OEM license is perma-bound to the computer you first install it on, and can only be sold with that computer's core hardware, whereas a retail license allows you to move it on to your future computers, and can be sold independently when you're done with it.

 

[gwag]

Originally posted by: mechBgon whereas a retail license allows you to move it on to your future computers, and can be sold independently when you're done with it.

I thought Vista changed all that?

 

[lambchops511]

is MSDNAA OEM or Retail?

 

[jamesbond007]

Originally posted by: aznium
is MSDNAA OEM or Retail?

In the EULA of my Vista Business DVD, the version was something like...

capital_letters_here_with_some_underscores_followed_by_"RTL"

My guess it's close to Retail or carries the retail EULA- I was going to call the other day to see if it can be transferred to future computers, but I haven't done so yet. The MSDNAA adviser at my school wasn't entirely sure either...

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: gwag

Originally posted by: mechBgon whereas a retail license allows you to move it on to your future computers, and can be sold independently when you're done with it.

I thought Vista changed all that?

It got changed back 😀