-- Posted by BrokenBelief at 10:41 pm on Feb. 23, 2008 If I have my windows product key (the 25-digit key), can I use any Windows install disk to install with?  Because somehow my original XP disks seem to have gotten lost in the shuffle of moving and such, but I need to format my C: drive.  I've got all kinds of crap on this thing and a fresh install is really what I need.  (DirectX problems, irreparable registry corruption, etc.) Any of you tech buffs know? -- Posted by exsetera at 10:42 pm on Feb. 23, 2008 if its the same version of XP then yah i think you can -- Posted by wetwilly1169 at 10:42 pm on Feb. 23, 2008 No, it should be genuine to only that copy of windows. But even if you had it with you it would not work. You would have to call microsoft and have them issue you a new key. -- Posted by greeneyedone at 10:42 pm on Feb. 23, 2008 I think you can go to the website and download it that way. But I am not completely sure. -- Posted by Cingular Wireless at 1:44 am on Feb. 24, 2008 No, the key is tied to that one CD only. Call Microsoft because maybe they can do something. -- Posted by pleaseremove at 8:57 am on Feb. 24, 2008 Your key will work on any disk as long as its the correct version. So if your key is for XP Home then you will need an XP Home CD.