Is there any way to tell from the product key....

[techs]

On a computer from say Dell it says Windows 7 Home Premium but doesn't say if its 32bit or 64bit. Since to the best of my knowledge you can't use a 32bit key for a 64 bit install, is there any way to tell what version the key is for?

Or, in other words, I don't have a Dell restore disk and don't know if the computer came with Windows 7 Home Premium 32 or 64bit. Is there any way to tell from the produck key sticker on the machine which version it came with? Or do I have to try say 64 bit first and if the key is not excepted use a 32 bit disk?

 

[lxskllr]

AFAIK the key is bit agnostic. If you have valid media, you can install either version.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

On a computer from say Dell it says Windows 7 Home Premium but doesn't say if its 32bit or 64bit. Since to the best of my knowledge you can't use a 32bit key for a 64 bit install, is there any way to tell what version the key is for?

Or, in other words, I don't have a Dell restore disk and don't know if the computer came with Windows 7 Home Premium 32 or 64bit. Is there any way to tell from the produck key sticker on the machine which version it came with? Or do I have to try say 64 bit first and if the key is not excepted use a 32 bit disk?

I'm not understanding the question. If you are installing the OS, use the product key for that version. Are to trying to save programs or data on the hdd? The 64 bit version runs 32 bit programs just fine.

 

[techs]

I'm not understanding the question. If you are installing the OS, use the product key for that version. Are to trying to save programs or data on the hdd? The 64 bit version runs 32 bit programs just fine.

Its the opposite. I have the key on the sticker on the machine. But the sticker just says Windows 7 Home Premium. I have access to every kind of disk, 32 and 64bit. How do I know whether the key is for 32bit or 64bit so I can use the correct disk?

 

[lxskllr]

Its the opposite. I have the key on the sticker on the machine. But the sticker just says Windows 7 Home Premium. I have access to every kind of disk, 32 and 64bit. How do I know whether the key is for 32bit or 64bit so I can use the correct disk?

AFAIK the key is bit agnostic. If you have valid media, you can install either version.

^^^

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Its the opposite. I have the key on the sticker on the machine. But the sticker just says Windows 7 Home Premium. I have access to every kind of disk, 32 and 64bit. How do I know whether the key is for 32bit or 64bit so I can use the correct disk?

Gotcha. The key on the machine is probably tied to Dell oem version which usually doesn't work on regular 32 bit or 64 bit MS OS software. Dell likes to modify the OS so, you have to buy their magical restore disc.

 

[lxskllr]

Gotcha. The key on the machine is probably tied to Dell oem version which usually doesn't work on regular 32 bit or 64 bit MS OS software. Dell likes to modify the OS so, you have to buy their magical restore disc.

Worst case is he might have to phone MS and explain himself. Either version should be runnable though.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Worst case is he might have to phone MS and explain himself. Either version should be runnable though.

The few times I've tried it to save a customer a couple of bucks, MS referred me to Dell because the key is tied to their license. Dell typically wants in the neighborhood of $50 for their magical restore disk that puts a ton of bloatware on the system. MS has always been very helpful except when dealing with other company's licenses. Maybe the OP will have better luck.

 

[lxskllr]

The few times I've tried it to save a customer a couple of bucks, MS referred me to Dell because the key is tied to their license. Dell typically wants in the neighborhood of $50 for their magical restore disk that puts a ton of bloatware on the system. MS has always been very helpful except when dealing with other company's licenses. Maybe the OP will have better luck.

I haven't had to do it since XP, but it always worked for me.

 

[pcgeek11]

The factory installation on a DELL is not using the same key that is on the sticker. The sticker key requires activation and MS stopped automatic activation on All OEMs years ago. That is why it will have to be called in. If you use DELLs restore disk it will use a SLIP key that will automatically activate with the BIOS.

The key will work with an OEM Disk. It will also work with either 32 or 64 bit versions. As far as I have seen the DELL Windows 7 disk have No Bloatware It is just a bare OEM Disk with the SLIP Activation added. All the other software and drivers are on addition disk.

 

[bruceb]

At the command prompt type in "winver" and hit enter.
The computer will tell you what windows version you have and if it is 32 or 64 bit

 

[Steltek]

At the command prompt type in "winver" and hit enter.
The computer will tell you what windows version you have and if it is 32 or 64 bit

Doing this doesn't tell whether it is 32 or 64 bit Windows on my machine - it only provides the version, build, and service pack level information.

OTOH, if you right click on the Computer icon then hit properties, the resulting screen does tell whether the OS is 32 or 64 bit there.

 

[KingerXI]

Your key will work with the 32 or 64 bit version. I do it all the time. I always install the 64 bit version of Vista or 7, and as long as it is a valid key, i have activated them using 32 bit keys with no problem. You cant mix OEM and retail media, but as long as you use an OEM install disc you can activate 64 bit software with a 32 bit key.

 

[bruceb]

I thought if you had an that could be either one, it would come up with that command. Guess not.

 

[imagoon]

The few times I've tried it to save a customer a couple of bucks, MS referred me to Dell because the key is tied to their license. Dell typically wants in the neighborhood of $50 for their magical restore disk that puts a ton of bloatware on the system. MS has always been very helpful except when dealing with other company's licenses. Maybe the OP will have better luck.

I haven't seen a Dell restore disk set that didn't include a plain OS disk in (8+) years. Unless they still do that for the lowest consumer level throw away gear?

 

[corkyg]

Keys are "unisex." They do not specify 32 or 64 bit. This is evidenced on Microsoft's Technet - separate ISO files exist for 32 or 64 bit version, but each legal key will do either one. So, the answer to OP's question is "No." If you have Win 7 Pro 32 bit (x86) or 64 bit, the key will be the same.

 

[techs]

Keys are "unisex." They do not specify 32 or 64 bit. This is evidenced on Microsoft's Technet - separate ISO files exist for 32 or 64 bit version, but each legal key will do either one. So, the answer to OP's question is "No." If you have Win 7 Pro 32 bit (x86) or 64 bit, the key will be the same.

Thanks.

 

[kramyugtaht]

The few times I've tried it to save a customer a couple of bucks, MS referred me to Dell because the key is tied to their license. Dell typically wants in the neighborhood of $50 for their magical restore disk that puts a ton of bloatware on the system.

It's not hard to find the Dell OEM version of Windows, I have found XP and Vista for about $10-$15 and once I believe there was even 7 for a little more though that one is probably more rare too. These will read the BIOS and recognize it is being installed on a Dell machine with no bloatware, and the only visible difference is a little link on the Start menu. Not that there's any point in it but it does also recognize which OS is supposed to run on the machine, so an older one may not work with the 7 disc if it didn't ship with it in the first place.