Samsung Kies version for both old and new android versions?

A friend gave me his older Samsung tablet to upgrade since it kept failing with the OTA update, so like indicated I will try KIES first for updating the device. However I also have 3 newer android (lollipop) phones... so ... what is the advised way? Deinstall version 3 then install version 2.6 (to work with older android versions) and after that deinstall version 2.6 and reinstall version 3 (for my newer android versions) ? Anyone dealt with this / has a setup for this? *update* I installed smart switch which seems to work for all. It calls ODIN and stuff seems to work.