I have a windows 7 ultimate OEM, 32 bit computer. I want to change to 64 bit. My questions are can I do it with another OEM, or would I have to buy a full retail program. The other thing that I am wondering, would I be able to change with a full retail program of windows 8.1.
Thanks for your help
Windows 7 Ultimate
![](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/g/38.jpg)
Comments
What airzone said.
You have to wipe your system if you want to install a 64bit OS, you can't swap from 32 to 64 on the fly.
If you're wanting to upgrade to Windows 8, you need to do 2 things:
- Run Win8 upgrade assistant to assess compatibility
- Purchase a Win8 key
My Win7 was an OEM key when i upgraded, so all good there.
Thanks. As I understand it, you only get the 64 & 32 bit on a full retail disc. I didn't know this when I bought the program. I know about wiping the system, I tried to upgrade my system yesterday. Backed everything up and the OEM didn't change it to a 64 bit. CMichael was your system a 32 0r 64 bit, before you went to 64 bit Win 8.
Backed everything up and the OEM didn't change it to a 64 bit.
Do you now have a Windows 64 bit product? If you do, then you're set to going from 32 to 64 bit.
Make sure you clicked for a Custom Install and not an in place upgrade. An in-place upgrade will retain the bit that is currently being used.
Really not sure what you are trying to achieve… are you trying to get win 8.1 64-bit or win 7 64-bit…
If you want win 7 64-bit, you need to d/l the corresponding win 7 64-bit ISO from somewhere, in this case it would be win 7 ultimate 64-bit.
If you want win 8.1 64-bit, you will need to buy the key (not sure if the keys are interchangable between 32 and 64 bit) and fresh install it.
Basic summary, you can not upgrade your win from a 32-bit to a 64-bit regardless of the version. i.e. win 7 32-bit cannot upgrade to win 7 64-bit or win 8.1 64-bit. Going from 32-bit to 64-bit will require fresh installs.
Sorry, I will try to explain. I live at the bottom of WA, my Granddaughters boyfriend built me a computer, and as we were going to Perth, I said that I would pick it up. He hadn't put windows on it, this would have been about a year ago. I said that I could do it myself and went to Austin Computer's. The guy sold me a 32 bit system disk. So a year later I saw a game that I wanted to buy. Train Simulator 2014, it wouldn't work correctly. It said that it was running out of memory, I contacted the boyfriend and he said that he couldn't understand why, as he had built into it 16 GB of RAM. He then talked me through the property's and I find out that I have 16 GB of ram but only 3.48 GB is usable. I'm told the computer will be much faster if I install a 64 bit system. So that's what I want to do. It doesn't matter if its Win 7 or Win 8, just as long as I get a 64 bit system.
Well new games doesn't work on RAM alone.. you might need to check how much dedicated video memory you have on your system. I think that is the reason why it's not working properly.
Well looks like you're pretty much sorted on obtaining a 64 bit version by using the links supplied but I was a bit concerned that you're having that error for a train simulator game which I thought wouldn't require much RAM. Looked it up and minimum is 2GB. 32 bit version recognises up to 4GB inc graphics card.
Upgrade to 64 bit but get your grand daughters boyfriend to confirm that everything else covers the minimum specs of the game.
OS:Windows® XP / Vista / 7 / 8
Processor:Processor: 2.8 GHz Core 2 Duo (3.2 GHz Core 2 Duo recommended), AMD Athlon MP (multiprocessor variant or comparable processors)
Memory:2 GB RAM
Graphics:512 MB with Pixel Shader 3.0 (AGP PCIe only)
DirectX®:9.0c
Hard Drive:6 GB HD space
Sound:Direct X 9.0c compatible
Other Requirements:Broadband Internet connection
Additional:Quicktime Player is required for playing the videos
Recommended:
Graphics:Laptop versions of these chipsets may work but are not supported. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be required
Ahh. I see. Well you probably only have a 32 bit disc then, not the 64 bit one. Your CD key is good for either. You can download Win 7 x64 ultimate from here http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-24395.iso (this is a legit Microsoft link) but be aware that you will need to supply your own key. It's about 3gb in size.
The 32 bit system will only address at most 4gb RAM, but bearing in mind video ram and other system overheads, this is why you only report 3.48gb. 64 bit will allow you to address all of that.
I doubt that the OEM (I assume its OEM considering you got only a 32bit disc) key will work on that link. Pretty sure digitalriver only hosts retail links.
Thank you all very much.
If you have 4GB RAM (memory) or more, you need to run 64-bit OS (as other people have already pointed out).
Windows 7 key can be used for both 32-bit and 64-bit version of the Windows 7.Assuming you are on a decent ADSL plan or cable plan, download the ISO file:
Windows 7 SP1 Media Refresh (SP1-U) - Windows 7 Ultimate x64 English:
http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59465.isoIf you know how to put the ISO file on the USB stick AND your PC supports USB boot, then that would be a much faster way to install. Otherwise, burn it to a DVD.
Note: It is best to find another hard disk (or SSD) to install it first. Make sure your Windows 7 CD/DVD key works.
Hi guys I found this Windows 7 Ultimate on eBay for cheap:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=231231…Is this legit?
Probably not. Seller only has 47 feedback. It would probably activate but who knows for how long.
Thanks to everyone that helped. I have changed the computer to 64 bit, it took a while, but its now done.
Not sure what you want…
A Windows 7 Ultimate CD key will work for both 32 and 64 bit installations. You just need a disk with the 64 bit installer. n.b. You cannot upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit, you will need to wipe your PC.
Windows 7 keys will not allow you to install Windows 8.1. You will possibly be allowed to buy an upgrade license from Microsoft. I'm not sure how that works with OEM licenses though.