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Is Vista OEM really tied to either 32 or 64 bit?

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Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
So let me get this straight:

There are two Windows Vista DVDs out there for each flavor (home, business, ultimate) or Vista:

64-bit
32-bit

Retail versions of Vista Ultimate include both 32-bit and 64-bit install disks.
OEM and Academic versions of Vista Ultimate only include either 32-bit or 64-bit install disks.

1. If you buy a retail version of the 32-bit, you can get a 64-bit DVD shipped to you for $10 while still using the same CD-key that came with your 32-bit version.
2. If you buy the OEM version of the 32-bit, you CANNOT get a 64-bit DVD shipped to you. This includes academic versions.
-----a. However, the 32-bit OEM CD-key will work when installing the 64-bit version, provided you can somehow get the 64-bit install disk.
-----b. Since Microsoft won't ship you a 64-bit install disk if you have the 32-bit OEM version, you're forced to download the 64-bit install disk from some place like a torrent site? And after doing so you install the 64-bit version using the CD-key that came with your original 32-bit OEM version?

I recently purchased an Academic version of Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade for $100. The install disk that is included is the 32-bit version. I need 64-bit. Does this mean I have to try and find or download the 64-bit install disk somewhere since MS refuses to ship me this?
Click to expand...

Thanks for making it more organized! It's all correct exccept for the Torrent parts. I hit the trackers, IRC channels, and even the NFO sites: They all nuke releases that require legal keys because they consider it inferior to their hacked "ALL VERSIONS NO KEY REQUIRED!" release. You gotta know somebody. I got my Ultimate OEM 64-bit key and media and a sealed OEM 32-bit version. When I sell the 32-bit version, I will provide my buyer access to the 64-bit media if they want so I can effectively sell either version (remember, I'm selling a license according to the EULA and both disc versions accept that purchased license/key).

TechNet is an awesome value.
 
I have a slightly different issue. I have 64-bit OEM Vista installed, and I want to dual-boot 32-bit Vista to improve some game compatibility. Since I would be running both on the same PC, would dual-booting mean I would have to re-validate Vista every time? (If it's too much trouble, I could dual-boot XP if I need to.)
 
Woo, I just went through this today. I don't get why microsoft can't release some kind of clear statement about it. So that people will think they need a separate license if they want to switch between 32 and 64 bit?

I had a key from msdnaa originally and at some point had downloaded the 32 bit image but no 64 bit. Today I downloaded and installed the 64 bit version. For those searching on torrent for an unhacked iso to use your legitimate key, quite often an unchanged name will indicate an unmodified image. Here are the original names:

32-bit: LRMCFRE_EN_DVD.ISO
64-bit: LRMCXFRE_EN_DVD.ISO
 
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