Installation Resources for Windows Vista 32-bit and 64-bit Systems

Our Support Team has put out two useful Knowledge Base (KB) articles to relay information on upgrading and/or installing Windows Vista from Windows 2000 or Windows XP.

KB 932616: Installation choices for consumer versions of Windows Vista (32-bit only)

KB 932795: Installation choices for 64-bit consumer versions of Windows Vista

If you have questions on the Windows Vista upgrade or installation processes, I suggest reading these KB articles for more detail before you proceed.

On a related note, Support has noted that some users of some systems running certain spoken languages supported by Windows XP have experienced problems when upgrading to Windows Vista.  Take a look at this KB article to learn more about this issue and how to work around it to ensure a successful Windows Vista installation.


Comments

  1. Posted on: March 19, 2007 at 1:47PM  

    Where would I find the most up-to-date list of those software programs, which have received the "Certified for Windows Vista"?

    Same question for "Works with Windows Vista."

    I have reviewed the knowledgebase article KB933305 and I have also looked at the app compatibility toolkit 5.0. This toolkit requires a download and running it on each computer. It would be very helpful, if there was one webpage, where the information was as up-to-date as the information contained in the app compatibility toolkit.

    Could you please point me to that webpage?

    I also noticed in the KB933305 that the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool (MMSRT)is NOT listed. Is this an oversight.

    It has been reported to me that when the MMSRT is updated, it then deletes the anti-virus software. This was tested with Trend, Norton and AVG. Trend is "Certified for Windows Vista" and AVG has received the logo of "Work with Windows Vista", which leads me to think that the issue may reside with MMSRT.

    The temporary solution is Not to apply the MMSRT updates.

    Thanks,

  2. Posted on: March 21, 2007 at 8:06AM  

    I´ve bought a 64bit version of Ultimate for 4Gb and now I think it´s not a good idea, couse 32bits manage 4gb too! ¿Will I be able to work well with Adobe Studio CS2.3 til CS3? We are a press and avertising design studio and use office, CS2 &CS2.3, Cinema4D and Macromedia Studio 8. I thought 64bit SO would be an inproove. ¿What do yo think?

  3. Posted on: March 22, 2007 at 11:45AM  

    Hola Juan Manuel:  for 64-bit computers to take advantage of that architecture, they need applications that are specifically written to use 64-bit memory addressing.  While 64-bit computers will run most 32-bit applications, it's only when it's specifically written for a 64-bit platform that an application's performance improves due to the new architecture.

    You'll want to install the 64-bit versions of the applications you use when they become available, as it's then that you'll see the performance gains offered by 64-bit.

    Espero que te ayude esta respuesta.  Y, sí se habla español ;)

  4. Posted on: March 23, 2007 at 4:50PM  

    Hey penny:  I wanted you to know that I discussed your issue with a few of our licensing experts and they suggested you take a look at these two resources:

    - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/plan/faq.mspx#ESHAC

    and

    - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/plan/volact1.mspx

    Note that KMS keys require a minimum of 25 PCs to activate against the KMS host to test correctly, so if you only have 20 machines to activate, you should be using a MAK.  If need be, you can request a MAK via eOpen (there is a link that says "Request Multiple Activation Key(s)"). Click on this link to receive a MAK in realtime.  Or, contact the Activation Call Center.

    Hope this helps.

  5. Posted on: March 25, 2007 at 3:07PM  

    Hi, I purchased a new 64 bit computer with Vista 32 bit installed.  Is it possible for me to reinstall a 64 bit copy of Vista with my 32 bit registration key?

  6. Posted on: March 26, 2007 at 12:50PM  

    Hey Martechsupport:  check out the Windows Vista Hardware Compatibility List at http://winqual.microsoft.com/hcl/ and the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor.

  7. Posted on: March 29, 2007 at 8:48AM  

    Like "highway" above, I would like to install 64 bit Vista on my machine.  I purchased a Dell machine with a Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz 64 bit processor and 4GBs of RAM expecting that Dell would install an OS capable of actually addressing the full 4GB.  I paid a premium to get Vista Ultimate as I mistakenly assumed I would get the 64bit version.  In talking to their support people, they only make the 32 bit version available.  I'm not very happy that there is seemingly no way to get a 64 bit version short of purchasing a retail copy - effectively making my OEM purchase with the machine entirely worthless.  I'm rather angered that neither Dell nor Microsoft seem to understand why I feel less than satisfied.  If anyone hears of a resolution, I'd love to know.  Having already paid for a license for this machine, I refuse to pay for a retail copy on principal.  I paid Dell a $170 premium to get Vista Ultimate (on top of the cost of the regularly included Vista Home) and they only build machines with the 32 bit version of Ultimate.  I understand the retail packs of Ultimate include both the 32 bit and the 64 bit versions on disk.  It angers me that Dell charges a premium for Ultimate and then doesn't deliver a 64 bit version.  There doesn't appear to be anywhere on Microsoft's sites to order the 64 bit version since this is an OEM install by Dell.      

  8. Posted on: March 30, 2007 at 8:26AM  

    Hi Nick,

    I am getting ready to upgrade my system to windows vista ultimate.  Unfortunately I recieved only the 32 bit OEM version wit hmy new machine so I am waiting for the 64 bit version to arrive.  Here's my question:

    -  If I go ahead and install the 32 bit version now will I be able to upgrade to the 64 bit version without having to do a clean install?  That is will all the applications, etc. that I have install remain or will I have to redo this work?  

    I have looked through the FAQ and other links and it looks like I can do this, but it isn't expliciatly stated and installing a full edit suite is quite a bit of work that I don't want to repeat.  At the same time, I am anxious to use my new software and hardware.

    Thanks for any advise you have.

    Terry

  9. Posted on: April 02, 2007 at 11:21AM  

    HI,

    I work in a training department and want to know if I can with the one product key have both 32 and 64 bit versions on the one machine (dual booting between the two versions when needed) to help train tech agents to support our products on Vista, they would never run at the same time as they would be installed on the same PC so it would be impossible to have both running at the sometime. Would this be classed as one PC/one licence still our would I not be able to activate one of the products. Would I have to uninstall and then install the other version a lot of question any help much appreciated.

    Gav

  10. Posted on: April 02, 2007 at 2:18PM  

    Hey Gavin:  I'm not going to interpret the license for you, but I will state that you cannot install both the 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista simultaneously on the same machine (nor on a second machine, for that matter) using the same device key / PID.

Trackbacks

  1. Posted by: Connected to Vista Bookmarks on March 13, 2007 at 8:52PM

    The Windows Vista Support Team has published two Knowledge Base (KB) articles with helpful information