Multiple Copies of Vista

I have 3 computers each having itzs own copy of Vista. the CDS have become mixed up. How can I determine which CD belongs to which computer? Is there a way I can look up the key on each computer to be sure which CD belongs to it?

I think you will find all the installation discs are the same content wise and contain all versions of Vista. Its your license key that is unique.

Lets just elaborate a little... the discs only contain either 32 or 64 bit software not both. So look under 'system' in control panel and see what your versions are for each PC and if different ( am ix of 32 and 64 then match to the discs that way). If the licence key with the disc is an OEM type (original equipment manufacturer, such as an upgrade disc) then that key can only be used on the PC it was first activated on. If they are full retail copies then you can use them on any PC at any one time.

all 3 are 64 bit all 3 were upgraded from 32 bit. all 3 have unique license keys (which I have). Problem is I'm sending one of the laptops to my son and I want to be sure I include the correct software.

Do the discs all have the same identical label ? If so then they will all be the same. There is no unique coding on them, its your license key on the disc wrapper that determines whether the version you install from the disc is accepted as valid or not.

When you run the disc you get a choice of all the Vista versions in a menu. Only the version you bought will validate with the key, even though it will let you install any version. What you need to determine is which key on the disc wrapper applies to which machine.

If you really want to prove it then you could image your PC and then try clean installing and seeing if the key you think is applicable is accepted. I can't think of any other way to prove it beyond doubt if you have mixed the keys up.

Each CD is in its own paper sleve with the load key written on the sleve, so I have the key for the CD together. what I don't want to happen is if I send the wrong CD with my son's laptop I don't want Mircosoft not allowing him to register the installition in the event he has to reload his system and it happens to be the CD that was loaded on one of the other systems.

Well the only thing I can suggest that would be a sure fire way to test it is for you to install a disk imaging program. There are free ones such as Macrium reflect or 'AOMEI Backupper'. You could then image the PC in question, clean install Vista and try the keys.


Tbh, why not just give your son all three keys, then if the one he tries is incorrect it will just not validate, so try another. Nothing bad is going to happen.

If the serial number is with each disk you can look up the serial number from windows using this software. https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Make sure that if applicable you use the correct disk from the correct manufacturer. For example a dell disk can only be used on a dell computer.