How can I install Windows 7 Upgrade 64 bit when I only have full 32 bit installs of Vista and XP?

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Possible Duplicate:
Windows Vista 32-bit to Windows 7 64-bit upgrade?

I have discs for the following versions of Windows:

  • 32 bit Windows XP (full)
  • 32 bit Windows Vista (full)
  • 64 bit Windows 7 (upgrade)

When I tried to install Windows 7 on a new hard drive, I got an error saying that my key was bad. It's my understanding that this is because I was trying a full install, and I'm only licensed to upgrade.

I then installed Vista (which I'm running right now), and booted from the Windows 7 disc, selected the Upgrade option, and it tells me to remove the disc, reboot, and upgrade from the existing Windows installation. When I do that, though, it tells me that I cannot upgrade the 32 bit Vista to the 64 bit Windows 7.

Is there anything I can do to install Windows 7 with these discs?

Jeffrey

Posted 2012-06-10T01:17:08.630

Reputation: 2 600

Question was closed 2012-06-11T15:44:41.550

2Which editions of Windows Vista and Windows 7 are involved? – iglvzx – 2012-06-10T01:24:47.220

Have you tried with custom installation rather than upgrade? – avirk – 2012-06-10T01:25:09.650

@avirk Custom would be ideal in this case, since they only installed Vista to install Windows 7. :) – iglvzx – 2012-06-10T01:27:00.960

Both editions are professional. The custom install was what I did with 7, and it installed, but never got further than product code checking. – Jeffrey – 2012-06-10T01:28:21.110

@iglvzx but they can't upgrade Vista 32-bit to windwos-7 64-bit directly they have to make a clean install. See Microsoft answer

– avirk – 2012-06-10T01:28:57.430

@avirk Can't "custom" mean the same thing as "clean" when installing Windows? I was not talking about upgrading – iglvzx – 2012-06-10T01:30:30.597

It just didn't seem my 7 upgrade disc is capable of a clean install. Old versions of windows I remember let you put in an old disc to check, but that didn't seem available anymore. – Jeffrey – 2012-06-10T01:32:50.247

@iglvzx yes that is. – avirk – 2012-06-10T01:32:54.833

No you can make a clean install just skip the step to enter the product key and then try it after installing. – avirk – 2012-06-10T01:34:55.953

It didn't let me skip it. It was in the setting up for first use dialog. – Jeffrey – 2012-06-10T01:35:37.607

1

Follow this guide

– avirk – 2012-06-10T01:35:46.173

Answers

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I ended up getting this to work. After Vista was installed, I put the Windows 7 upgrade disc in and rebooted. I installed Windows 7 using the custom install, and didn't touch the partitions, so it detected there was an old windows install on the drive (and saved the directory to windows.old). I left the key blank and unchecked the activation box (not sure if this was necessary or not), and finished the install. Then once in Windows, I just put my normal product code in, and it activated.

Jeffrey

Posted 2012-06-10T01:17:08.630

Reputation: 2 600

you have did same as the instruct in the guide I refer you. Congrates! – avirk – 2012-06-11T11:21:40.093

Asked: 2012-06-10T01:17:08.630

Viewed: 271 times

Active: 2012-06-11T15:42:55.293