I want to begin by stating how much I recommend the old Sony VAIO VPCZ12 and VPCZ13 series, and the Sony VAIO Recovery Discs.
There still is no laptop that is as light, has the battery life, display quality, CPU, RAM, and overall performance.
I will add to others, you can remove the Intel N6200 WiFi (AGN), with Intel AC 7260 to get 867 mps on N, and AC, and wish Sony would make new Motherboard that could upgrade the first gen i7 CPU to another generation that would allow Intell HD Wi to project documents for presentations.
Now, with all that said. The VAIO works with W10, but uses the Intel HD video and you loose NVIDIA (some loss of clarity). But, for me, big issue is that you lose the W7 Backup and Restore, and the new Edge wont allow java plugin so you can't file documents with courts and most govt agencies.
W10 uses File History to back up files, but you can't use one computer's backup to extract files to another computer without assignng the second computer to the backup, at which time you change the backup configuration, and it stores files from the second computer - No good for my file retenion needs.
So, back to W7, and here begins the real problem. W10 creates a DISM file that creates its own "Scratch Directory" used as a temporary directory to build and install W10. That Scratch Directory is smaller than what is needed to reinstall W7 with the Sony Drivers using Sony Recovery partition. And, for some reason, even after formatting the harddrive and removing all partitions before using Sony Recovery Discs to reinstall the OEM partition with W7 and Sony Recovery/Care and Drivers, when the computer reboots after intalling the OEM partition, you get a pop-up stating the DISM "Scratch Directory" size may be insufficent to perfom the install. It's right, at ****** percent completion, the install stops, and when rebooted, Windows won't load fully because install is not complete.
I have used Sony Recoverry to check all hardware, and used scan to check the SDD - all are perfect.
I have been with Sony Premium and Microsoft, both say it's the other's problem. MS states the DISM is resident with each windows and would be erased by the nest instal, And Sony Premium stating Recoverry Discs that have worked befroe should work again. So, on hold with both to try new recovery discs, where Encompass needs to wait until Sony advises what part no for the VPCZ13KGX Recovery Discs. Until then, ....