Just a heads-up:

The free version installer is probably wrapped with Open Candy, a marketing installer.  I'll let you decide whether or not you want to deal with it.  Like any of those wrappers though, you need to pay very close attention when you install, else you may end up with a lot you didn't want - some of which may be difficult to remove.

http://forum.easeus.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=35454

Thanks for the help guys. The image idea would work if I had an external hard drive or large capacity USB stick. I have neither, with no means to get either any time soon. I will have to look into LightStar's idea. You all sure the prduct key Speccy drags up will work for install?

You're welcome, I figured if you realized it you would have mentioned it.  Open Candy is becoming increasingly "popular", it's starting to show up in downloads - even direct from company sites - that were once problem-free. ("Daggnabit"   )

Once you have run Windows 10 on your machine it is supposed to be tied to that machine for the life of the machine (for the free version anyway) Unless you make any major hardware changes, you can just skip the steps for entering in reg numbers during install and it will show as activated. I'd imagine if you make some change that messes that up you can probably call MS and complain and get it re-done for a new setup. I'd guess you can't do that often though.

By the way, I have done this procedure and it worked just fine. (Not the changing hardware part, but I have done a fresh install on an upgraded Win7 --> Win10, no license number needed )

I didn't switch out hard drives but I did install to two different drives at different times between messing around. I believe it takes a look at whole system and gives it some value, and then looks to see if it differs from that value. (Strictly guessing here!)

Kona,

Firstly, forget the key, not important.

Download the media creation tool from Microsoft, Run it, ( be sure to choose the same type as you have, Pro, home, etc.) Choose to save the iso, or make bootable flash drive, Burn a DVD or use a flash drive.

Since you have already upgraded your pc, IF you ever have to replace the HDD, install Win10 from whatever format you made, choose skip both times when it asks for a key, (actually, the second time, you'll choose "do this later")

Once you install, it will activate for you. Full version.

Problem solved.

I have done this at least 10 times, so, take my word. This is the way to do it.

I use Belarc , it gives me the windows 8 key

and just about everything else ( info ) about your computer and programs !!!!!!

RedneckDude is right, in my research I've found that these "product keys" that programs produce are just generic.  Windows 10 writes the license into the mother board.  I guess if you replace your mother board then you have a problem, but not hard drives.

found this article today. perhaps it will prove useful.

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-10-license-hardware-configuration

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/microsoft-reveals-windows-10-activation,30188.html

... eh.. you don't need the product key for clean install. unless you are talking about the retail key.

bit more details

http://www.ghacks.net/2015/09/29/microsofts-official-windows-10-activation-guide/

This might help?

http://www.ghacks.net/2015/09/29/microsofts-official-windows-10-activation-guide/?_m=3n%2e0038%2e1745%2ehj0ao01hy5%2e1tbn