I currently have Windows 7 (and use Sonar X3), and I get bugged about the upgrade all the time, and put it off. My C: drive is a 128GB SSD, and I want to upgrade the SSD to a larger one and do a clean install of Windows 10 on that. How do I do this when I still have Win 7? Will the new HD count as a new computer to Microsoft and I would have to pay for Windows 10? I'm a little lost right now and can't upgrade to the latest Sonar without all this.

If you want to replace Win 7 with Win 10 you can just do a clean install of the free Windows 10 download on a new drive  and use the Windows 7 key to activate Windows 10. If you keep both, then you are in violation your license for the free upgrade, which is only licensed as a replacement for existing Win7 or Win8 machines. Whether your old Win 7 would remain activated and be able to get updates is undefined. 
 
http://www.howtogeek.com/224342/how-to-clean-install-windows-10/
 
You need to download the installer for the version of Win10 that goes with your version of Win7.
https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/3887/windows-10-upgrade-matrix-which-version-you-get-for-free
 

Thanks! Wasn't aware my Win7 key would apply to Win 10 as well.

 I prefer to do an in place upgrade first. You have 30 days to revert back. One you have W10 registered on the cloud you will have have activation problems unless you change your hardware.  Rumor has it MS will be far more strict with W10 OEM licenses. 

kitekrazy1
 I prefer to do an in place upgrade first. You have 30 days to revert back. One you have W10 registered on the cloud you will have have activation problems unless you change your hardware.  Rumor has it MS will be far more strict with W10 OEM licenses. 

I don't quite understand what you said. You're saying it's better not to do a fresh install, but I will have registration problems unless I change my hardware? Part of the point was to change my hardware (SSD) so I can have ample room for Win10 and more programs.

 I would make sure everything works then later do a fresh install. I did that on one machine because it's legacy hardware and W10 uses my 7 drivers.
 
 If your previous OS is a retail license then you can make all of the hardware changes you want.  If your previous license is an OEM, changing a motherboard or CPU will require you to buy a W10 license because it will be considered a new computer.  Any other changes will not be a problem.
 
 All of your DAW hardware is legacy and I would do an upgrade install first to test it. You may not like how Windows 10 works for you.  I say make an image of your current system. In place upgrade via DVD or flash drive. Don't use Windows Update. Make an image of W10 so you don't have to buy a new license after the free period.
 
 

kitekrazy1 
 If your previous OS is a retail license then you can make all of the hardware changes you want.  If your previous license is an OEM, changing a motherboard or CPU will require you to buy a W10 license because it will be considered a new computer.  Any other changes will not be a problem.
 

 
Ah, got it. My Win7 was a retail license. No need to worry then.