Reinstall Windows to go from 32-bit to 64-bit without losing license?

[Ichinisan]

Any tips on this?

I bought my mother an HP Pavilion Slimline s3700f to use as a Media Center PC. I bought it when Win7 was coming out so I got the free upgrade from Vista.

Actually, I vaguely remember entering a credit card on HP's web site, so I think it may have been a reduced-price upgrade or they charged some ridiculous amount for shipping (like they do with recovery media).

In the store, I thoroughly checked the advertisements, the box, and the shelf tags for any indication of whether-or-not it had a 64-bit version of Vista installed. There was absolutely no mention of this...only that the processor was "64-bit." I still had a hunch it was a 32-bit version of Windows because 3GB of RAM was installed (people used to say 3GB is max for 32-bit Windows). I checked after I bought it and, sure enough, the installed version of Windows was 32-bit.

I got the HP upgrade package soon after and upgraded to Win7. The computer desperately needs more RAM to suit its purpose, but I should install a 64-bit OS for that.

How do I go about this? Maybe:

1. Wipe the system.
2. Install a 64-bit version of Vista with the product key from the sticker.
3. Install 64-bit Windows 7 with the upgrade key

Will that work?

[edit]
Please move to Operating Systems. I did a search-in-page on the forum index for "Windows" and ended up in this forum.

 

[Dahak]

They keys starting from Vista can be used to install either 32 or 64 bit. so it will not matter for that.

The way you suggested is that way microsoft wants you to do the upgrade but there is ways to do the full install with just the upgrade media and it will activate fine

 

[Bubbaleone]

I'd definitely go with the Windows 7 x86 upgrade installation. First run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor which helps you to resolve any potential issues found, and recommends what to do before you upgrade. Next, run the Windows Easy Transfer which will transfer all of her current settings , programs and personal data to the new Windows 7 x86 installation.

HP's specs show that max supported memory for the Slimline s3700f is 4GB (2 x 2GB). If you currently have 3GB of memory installed then you have a 1 + 2GB configuration. Depending on what's currently installed (PC2-4200 (533 MHz), PC2-5300 (667 MHz), or PC2-6400 (800 MHz), add a 2GB module for 4GB total. Windows 7 x64 will run on that just fine but, if you decide to install the x64 version, you'll first have to backup all her data, manually transfer it to the x64 installation, and then reinstall all her software and drivers.

.

 

[Ichinisan]

... there is ways to do the full install with just the upgrade media and it will activate fine

Can you elaborate or send me in the right direction? I really want to wipe that Vista recovery partition and reclaim the space (It's used as a Windows Media Center DVR HTPC with only 320GB of storage).

I've done clean installs of full-version OSes countless times since Windows 95...from bootable media. I do have Win7 64-bit install discs, but I doubt they will accept an upgrade product key.

I tested the theory on my own computer since I currently have a Win7 --> Win8 --> Pro + Media Center install on a slow WD 2TB "Green" drive (which should never be used as a boot drive). I disconnected the 2TB HDD and connected a 120GB SSD. I booted to a Win8 64-bit install disc and tried installing to the SSD. It wouldn't accept the Pro+MC key and the installer explained that the key is only for adding features to Windows after it is installed. I tried the Windows 8 Upgrade key and it seemed to take. When Windows booted up, it was not activated and behaves as if I never entered any product key (you can normally click "skip" on the product key screen in setup and use Windows for a limited time, but I didn't click skip!). In the activation dialog, I tried entering my upgrade key. It recognized it as an upgrade key and specifically told me that key would not work.

 

[Ichinisan]

..., run the Windows Easy Transfer which will transfer all of her current settings , programs and personal data to the new Windows 7 x86 installation.

I want the new installation to be x64, not "x86."

HP's specs show that max supported memory for the Slimline s3700f is 4GB (2 x 2GB).

Manufacturers sometimes play it safe based on the types of RAM available at the time they tested / qualified the system. I'm going to test and see if 4GB modules work.

If you currently have 3GB of memory installed then you have a 1 + 2GB configuration.

Yeah.

Depending on what's currently installed (PC2-4200 (533 MHz), PC2-5300 (667 MHz), or PC2-6400 (800 MHz), add a 2GB module for 4GB total.

I'm still going to test and see if it actually supports 4GB modules like most Asus "M2N" boards with the nForce 430 chipset. Even if 4GB is the limit, I still think 33% more RAM will help.

Windows 7 x64 will run on that just fine but, if you decide to install the x64 version, you'll first have to backup all her data, manually transfer it to the x64 installation, and then reinstall all her software and drivers.

That is exactly what I want to do. I have no problem with a fresh OS install and acquiring the latest drivers. I've installed non-upgrade OSes countless times since Windows 95. A fresh/clean start without HP's bloat is one of the reasons I want to do this.

 

[Bubbaleone]

Run the Windows 7 x64 installation but don't enter the upgrade key, and uncheck Automatically activate online.
When you're finally booted to the desktop open an elevated command prompt and run these consecutive commands:

slmgr -ipk <your upgrade key> (inserts key)
slmgr -ato (activates)
slmgr -dlv, or slmg -dli (displays license info and activation status)

Done...

.

 

[SimMike2]

I always do the double install with Windows 7 for using the upgrade media for a clean install. First install without entering a CD key. After it is installed and fully updated, which might take a couple of more reboots, put the CD back in and upgrade your current install. And remember to uncheck the activate when online, because you want to choose when to activate. Since you are running the 32 bit version on the exact same hardware you will putting the 64 bit version on, I don't foresee any problems with it reactivating.

 

[Ichinisan]

Run the Windows 7 x64 installation but don't enter the upgrade key, and uncheck Automatically activate online.
When you're finally booted to the desktop open an elevated command prompt and run these consecutive commands:

slmgr -ipk <your upgrade key> (inserts key)
slmgr -ato (activates)
slmgr -dlv, or slmg -dli (displays license info and activation status)

Done...

.

Thanks, but it didn't work when I experimented with my Win8 system just now.

I opened an elevated command prompt and did the first command in this syntax:

slmgr -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

It gave me an error dialog:

---------------------------
Windows Script Host
---------------------------
Error: 0xC004F061 On a computer running Microsoft Windows non-core edition, run 'slui.exe 0x2a 0xC004F061' to display the error text.


---------------------------
OK   
---------------------------

I ran the command suggested in the error dialog and got this:

[Window Title]
Windows Activation

[Main Instruction]
An error has occurred

[Content]
You can also contact Microsoft by phone to help resolve this problem.

[^] Hide details  [Close]

[Expanded Information]
Code:
0xC004F061

Description:
The Software Licensing Service determined that this specified product key can only be used for upgrading, not for clean installations.

The key part is this:

The Software Licensing Service determined that this specified product key can only be used for upgrading, not for clean installations.

 

[Bubbaleone]

You've got me confused about just what it is that you're actually trying to do; are you trying to use the Windows 7 upgrade key to do a clean install on the Vista machine? Because the method I outlined is well proven. I'm pretty sure running a Windows 7 upgrade key against a Windows 8 machine via the Windows Server License Manager Script isn't ever going to fly.

 

[Ichinisan]

You've got me confused about just what it is that you're actually trying to do; are you trying to use the Windows 7 upgrade key to do a clean install on the Vista machine? Because the method I outlined is well proven. I'm pretty sure running a Windows 7 upgrade key against a Windows 8 machine via the Windows Server License Manager Script isn't ever going to fly.

I can only experiment with Windows 8 while I'm at home. Here's where I mentioned that previously:

I tested the theory on my own computer since I currently have a Win7 --> Win8 --> Pro + Media Center install on a slow WD 2TB "Green" drive (which should never be used as a boot drive). I disconnected the 2TB HDD and connected a 120GB SSD. I booted to a Win8 64-bit install disc and tried installing to the SSD. It wouldn't accept the Pro+MC key and the installer explained that the key is only for adding features to Windows after it is installed. I tried the Windows 8 Upgrade key and it seemed to take. When Windows booted up, it was not activated and behaves as if I never entered any product key (you can normally click "skip" on the product key screen in setup and use Windows for a limited time, but I didn't click skip!). In the activation dialog, I tried entering my upgrade key. It recognized it as an upgrade key and specifically told me that key would not work.

Trying to do a fresh install of my Win8 upgrade on an SSD, those commands failed.

 

[Bubbaleone]

OK...now I understand. Here's the workaround for Windows 7 or Windows 8 that've already been clean installed, and are now saying that your product key can only be used for upgrading:

1. Open regedit and navigate to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/

2. Double-click on MediaBootInstall in the right pane, and change the value from 1 to 0.

3. Exit regedit, then open an elevated command prompt.

4. Run the command: slmgr -rearm, then reboot.

When you get back to the desktop you'll be able to run the Windows Activation utility and activate Windows as normal, or run the -ipk and -ato commands, without getting an error.

.

 

[Ichinisan]

OK...now I understand. Here's the workaround for Windows 7 or Windows 8 that've already been clean installed, and are now saying that your product key can only be used for upgrading:

1. Open regedit and navigate to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/

2. Double-click on MediaBootInstall in the right pane, and change the value from 1 to 0.

3. Exit regedit, then open an elevated command prompt.

4. Run the command: slmgr -rearm, then reboot.

When you get back to the desktop, you'll be able to run the Windows Activation utility and activate Windows as normal, or run the -ipk and -ato commands, without getting an error.

.

Awesome. Can't wait to try it. Thanks.

 

[Ichinisan]

Worked like a charm. Thanks!