RSLinx 2.57 was the beginning of Windows 7 support (32bit). It looks like there was also 64bit support with that version but I see there was a knowledgebase article that went with it so I'm sure it had something to do with limited driver support for 64. 2.58 and newer has both 32bit and 64bit support.
For activation of a new purchase, you would use the FactoryTalk Activation Manager. It comes with a serial and product code. In the activation manager it asks you for this information and then downloads the activation from Rockwell.