Windows 10: Is clean install W10 64 Bit over the top of W10 32 Bit upgrade legal ?

I'm planning to upgrade a Win 7 32 Bit OS (Retail) with the free upgrade offer (at some point when the dust settles).
Can I then legally do a clean install of Win 10 64 Bit "over the top" of the Win 10 32 Bit upgrade OS ?

My hardware is older, Legacy BIOS only, so i don't have a BIOS key (if this matters).

:)

 

Upgraded to Win10, but Want to clean install to x64 Win10

If you upgraded from W8.1 32bit to W10 (you now have W10 32 bit) - correct.

You can not now use Media boot flash W10 64 bit to upgrade 32 bit to 64 bit OS system, this will require purchasing a retail version of W10 64 bit (which a product key will be provided) to install a 64 bit system.

Upgrade from 32 bit t0 64 bit, (any Windows OS version) has always involved a clean new installation.

 

Windows 10 Upgrade

I am running W8.1 32-bit and would also like to upgrade to W10 64-bit. (I know my computer is compatible with 64-bit)

I assume from the response that I should do a clean install of W8.1 64-bit (I have the DVD for W8 Pro) first, and then upgrade to W10 64-bit.

Is this correct?

 

In the tos I believe it's stated that you can only have one installed at a time, either 32 or 64 bit.

 

I don't believe the question is to have them installed at the same time but rather replace a 32 bit install with a 64 bit install by doing a clean install after doing the free upgrade with the current 32 bit version.

i.e, the OP currently has a 32 bit version installed so therefore would like to do the free upgrade of the current 32 bit install and once upgraded and activated do a clean install (which is possible) however the question is when doing a clean install will it allow a clean install of 64 bit if the machine was upgraded while a 32 bit version was installed....

Unfortunately i don't know the answer but thought i would try to clarify the question

 

You're spot on understanding what I'm trying to ask !
Thanks for adding clarification to my question !

 

Yes it's legal. I think Microsoft has a post about how to change from 32-bit to 64-bit on their forums.

 

Here what TechNet answers:

If you want to move from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version of Windows, you'll need to back up your files and then perform a Custom installation of the 64-bit version of Windows. For more information, see Installing and reinstalling Windows.

Also Clean Install is legal.

 

The license for Windows is not tied to the architecture (32bit, 64bit) you can install either one. You can only have one active at a time however. Remember, when you bought a retail version of Windows it came with both versions 32bit and 64bit the license worked for either one.

 

An interesting question.

If you install 10 as an upgrade over 7 once and activate it, you can then do a clean 10 install. (No key is necessary, or provided.) If you do the clean install on the same hardware, it'll activate.

If you did the upgrade install with a 32 bit copy, and then tried a clean 64 bit install, would it activate?

I have no idea. I believe that in previous versions of Windows that required activation (XP, Vista, 7, 8), the same key could be used with either 32 or 64 bit versions. No key is used here; I wonder whether MS has set up their activation servers to permit a switch between 32 and 64 bit OSes.

Anyone care to try the experiment? (Not me.)

 

Once your pc has been upgraded and activated, you can clean install. You must install the same version (home or pro), but you can install either architecture. Just remember to keep copies of your data and software key-codes for re-installation.