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My Dad's old laptop is pretty slow and old and he got a new one, so I thought I'd reformat it and reinstall Windows. However, he can't find the original disc it came with. The laptop is currently running Windows Vista, and he only has discs for Windows XP, or the Windows 8 discs that came with his new laptop. Can I use any of them or do I need to try and find the Vista disc? (I have done this before ages ago with my old laptop, but I had the original discs then, so I don't know what happens if you use a different disc.)

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You can only install Windows Vista using a Windows Vista disc.

However, you can install a different version of Windows on your laptop if you have a spare copy laying around. Or install Linux, if you are in to that.

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  • So you think it will work if I just use a different disc? I know that it won't be vista if I don't use a vista disc. I don't especially want vista.
    – Sally
    Commented Jul 12, 2013 at 13:52
  • Yes. Sometimes finding compatible drivers can be harder, but changing windows versions should not be that big a deal.
    – daxlerod
    Commented Jul 12, 2013 at 15:00
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If you have a Windows 8 or Windows XP serial number it will work.

The laptop probably had Windows Vista OEM. The Windows Vista serial number is not going to work with a Windows 8 or Windows XP installation. From my experience it will not work with a normal version of Vista either. You will need to find a manufacturer's OEM install disc.

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  • what does OEM mean? Can I just use a different serial number? I have a copy of Windows 7 from an old Asus laptop, it has the serial number on the package, will that work?
    – Sally
    Commented Jul 12, 2013 at 13:51
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    OEM means Original equipment manufacturer. What that means is if you had a Windows Vista OEM license on that laptop, it should stay on that machine only.
    – xxl3ww
    Commented Jul 12, 2013 at 13:54
  • The windows 7 install/license will work great.
    – xxl3ww
    Commented Jul 12, 2013 at 13:55
  • I thought you were asking if the vista license would work with the windows xp/8 installation.
    – xxl3ww
    Commented Jul 12, 2013 at 13:55
  • it doesn't matter that I already used that license on my old computer?
    – Sally
    Commented Jul 12, 2013 at 13:56

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