upgrade operating system

[smokey11999]

I have an HP m8517c with vista 64 is there a driver that would allow me to upgrade to windows 7, 8 or 10?

[TheOldMan]

Normally Windows 7 will run OK on a Vista PC.  You can run the Windows Upgrade advisor to check.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=20

Take a look at the Windows 10 advisor here

http://www.intowindows.com/download-windows-10-upgrade-advisor/

Keep in mind, it is not a free upgrade for any of those.

[WAWood]

@smokey11999

Some things to consider regarding "upgrading" to a newer OS ...

1) Drivers -- HP does not supply any Win7 drivers for your PC, and while Vista drivers SHOULD work, there is no guarantee.  If they don't work, you're then likely stuck with a PC that will not fully function, since then you would be having to rely on the generic drivers that Microsoft installs from the "upgrade".

2) Applications -- your Vista apps should work without problems on Win7, and if there are issues, you should be able to get updated versions that work OK.  But ... the farther you get away from Vista, the less likely your apps will work, and the less likely you'll be able to upgrade them without completely replacing them.

Good Luck

[mdklassen]

> 1) Drivers -- HP does not supply any Win7 drivers for your PC ...

True - HP's web-site does not supply any device-drivers for Windows 7.

But, there is a possibility that HP had supplied the device-drivers to Microsoft, and Microsoft merged those updates into the Windows 7 Installation Media, or Microsoft now makes the updates available via Windows Update.

Until you install Windows 7, you won't know if the latter statement is true.

Note that you can install Windows 7 *WITHOUT* entering a 25-character product-key.

Windows will work for 30 days -- long enough for you to see if it works with your hardware.

[smokey11999]

Thank you for your response.  How do I  install Windows 7 *WITHOUT* entering a 25-character product-key.

[TheOldMan]

I believe it can still do an install without the product key, however it is only a 30 day trial.  Keep in mind I stated earlier "Keep in mind, it is not a free upgrade for any of those.

Just tell it to proceed without the key.  As far as Windows 8 or Windows 10, I think you might be able to do a 30 trial with Windows 10, too.

[mdklassen]

> How do I  install Windows 7 *WITHOUT* entering a 25-character product-key.

Boot from the Windows 7 CD.

When it asks for the product-key, just click "Next".

To repeat, it will work for 30 days.