Solved Win 8 - 32 & 64

Bought win 8 and installed via online link. Then a while back, got my Win 8 CD and put it on the shelf. Opened it today and there is a 32 bit (my pc) and a 64 bit disk (my laptop). Can I install my 64 bit disk on laptop with same key as the pc?

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same key as the pc?

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Yes, you will need to do a clean install.

Upgrade to Windows 8 with only a product key - Microsoft Windows

Microsoft said:

• Make sure you’re on the PC you want to upgrade. This must be a PC that is currently running Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (SP3), Windows 8 Release Preview, Windows 8 Consumer Preview, or Windows Developer Preview. (Windows 8 Setup checks that your PC meets all system requirements before it installs Windows 8.)

• Have your product key handy. You can find it in your online order information, in the confirmation email for your purchase, or on the packaging. The product key will look something like this:
XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX

• Make a backup of everything you want to keep. Save it somewhere you can get to it later, like an external drive or a DVD.

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Always better to do a clean install.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13375-clean-install-windows-8-upgrade.html

I can, great. I don't know yet if I am going to do it, but wondered if I had the option. As stated the laptop is Win 7, and you say a clean install is best, I go along with that. Thanks.

Er, when you say "got my Win 8 CD" exactly how did you do this?

Bought another OEM version?

A totally separate purchase or as part of the original download purchase?

Surely the same product key cannot be used on the laptop if it is already in use on the PC, unless the PC installation of Windows 8 is deleted.

fraf, thats what I thought but wanted to ask as its two sep disks but same key.

Mad: I bought win 8 online from MS; via an email from them, and added £6 for the backup disk, and got 32 & 64. I loaded the 32 into the 3 pc to see if it had a repair facility, and it said it would do a complete fresh install but keep all personal files of users. I didn't go any further. So, two disks, one key. Presume MS would block installation on laptop (with 64 disk) IF already installed on the pc.

The two disks are to cover all eventualities for users who need to use either 32-bit or 64-bit systems - one product key = one license = one installation on a single "computer" for a single user at a time.

"Computer" is either a physical PC or a virtual machine, and explicitly not a server for several users, but you are not limited to keep the OS on the same physical or virtual hardware you originally used to set up the Windows 8 system. If you wish, you can start with the "lighter" 32-bit system, but then upgrade your hardware to a meatier 64-bit setup and remove the 32-bit system, and install the 64-bit system instead. Indeed you can transfer or sell this system to a new owner, as long as you pass on the installation media and any copies made too.

elbmek said:

Bought win 8 and installed via online link. Then a while back, got my Win 8 CD and put it on the shelf. Opened it today and there is a 32 bit (my pc) and a 64 bit disk (my laptop). Can I install my 64 bit disk on laptop with same key as the pc?

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No (unless you remove the PC installation), you bought only one upgrade and, thus, one product key. Your cannot have two installations running using the same product key--no matter what the "bitness" of the installations.

"​Mad: I bought .... I loaded the 32 into the 3 pc to see if it had a repair facility, and it said it would do a complete fresh install but keep all personal files of users."

Each disc will do a clean install--just like the retail disc set. But, even with the retail set you can have only one installation running at a time since only one product key is acquired. Actually, you should be happy. You got an extra disc you didn't expect--a 64-bit disc.

Danke much

You're welcome

elbmek said:

Danke much

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You are very welcome. Sorry to have carried the bad news. But, I gave you some good news too.