Windows 32-bit to Windows 64-bit OS

[RickB6]

I recently purchased a "new out of the box" Pro 6300 SFF with Windows 7 32-bit.  I would like to convert this to Windows 7 64-bit.  I'm hitting two brick walls:

1) Can't seem to get the Win 7 64 ISO to download from Microsoft.  It hits an error even when I put in the product key from the sticker on the machine.

2) Can't seem to get a clear idea if that product key is unique to my machine or generic to the image on the machine.

I'm anticipating two additional brick walls:

1) Entering the Win 7 product key once I get the 64-bit OS installed.  Dell tells me the Win 7 license is good for both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

2) Seeing traffic in the forum on trouble finding the Win 7 64  appropriate drivers when / if the Win 7 64 OS is fully installed.

Help would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

For whatever reason, Microsoft will not allow customers to download a W7 retail ISO file to be used on an OEM product key.

It never made any sense to me because you have to have a product key in order to use the OS for more than 30 days.

And they let you publicly download W10 and that can be used with any W10 product key, or to reinstall if the PC was upgraded.

So...here are your options...

1. If you live in the USA/Canada, call HP and order a W7 x64 recovery disk set from HP by calling 1-800-334-5144.  Have the serial number of the PC handy to give to the customer services rep.

2.  This site claims to have genuine, unadulterated W7 ISO files for download...

https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-iso-download-tool

Click on the link labeled Windows ISO Downloader.exe

Use the:

Win 7 Pro SP1, retail version, (but the  OEM key on your PC's case should work with it)

Then you can use this tool I have zipped up and attached below, to transfer the file to a 4 GB USB flash drive or a DVD.

Brick wall concerns...

1.The product key on your PC will work with W7 32 or 64 bit as the folks at Dell stated.

2. There is a full set of W7 x64 drivers and software on your PC's support page.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-compaq-pro-6300-small-form-factor-pc/5232881

[RickB6]

Thank you Paul!  This is exactly what I needed.  Spent all morning searching websites and basically got the runaround (intellectually).

One note:  I have both Dell and HP in the house.......my original post under additional brick walls, I hould have stated that "HP tells me the Win 7 license.....".  Instead I put "Dell tells me the Win 7 license......".  Sorry for the confusion there.

Thanks again Paul.  I appreciate the tips and guidance.

RickB6

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome, Rick.

[RickB6]

Hello.  I have gathered all the items that were suggested -- the Recovery Discs (3 discs plus a Supplemental Disc) and the ISO file burned to a DVD disc.

Three questions:

1) In which order do we run this "clean" load of the Windows 7 x64 install?  The ISO file first, or the 3 (or 4) discs of the Recovery Discs?

2) Some of the material I read online indicate that we should flash the BIOS also.  Do you suggest this as well?

3) Also some of the material indicates that this is a 34 step process (from LiveWire).  Does that sound like the path we should be taking?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,

Rick

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi, Rick:

The recovery disk set will restore the hard drive to its 'out of the box' condition.

The ISO file will do a plain install of Windows without any drivers or the bundled HP software.

So, you do not use both.  You use one or the other.  The ISO file or the recovery disk set.

To use the recovery disk set, the disks should be labeled disk 1 of 3, 2 of 3, and 3 of 3.

You start with disk 1.  It will load some files, eject and a message will appear on the screen to insert disk 2 and so on.

Then after disk 3 has installed its files, it will eject and ask you to insert the supplemental disk if you have one or skip.

At that point insert the supplemental disk.

Then after all the files are installed, that disk will eject, the PC should restart, and the recovery process should begin.

I would not update the BIOS at this time.  It is not necessary to do so.

[RickB6]

Paul, thanks again for the help.  The process is well underway and your guidance is appreciated.

Have a good holiday.

Regards,

Rick

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime, Rick.

Glad to have been of assistance.

You have a great holiday weekend too!

Paul