yummay
So, will my new windows 10 key will work as-is with the ISO from my "net computer" or will I be forced to create the ISO via running the MS media creation tool on my DAW laptop directly?
 
Silly question, I know, but some info I am finding online are close to being contradictory... as far as I can understand at least.
 

Whatever key is generated it's almost certainly irrelevant. There's probably a zillion people with the same code. Your machine details are stored in the cloud for authorisation purposes.

As long as you have upgraded from win7/8 to win10 (by running setup within windows) and completed the installation (check you are authorised), you can reinstall win10 much as you like afterwards on that machine.. Inc wiping the partition and installing clean. No other way apart from buying win10.

Yes it does. But when I tried it the key I was providing was not working. (But I had NOT first upgraded to Win 10 on that machine before trying to install the ISO... that may be the reason why).

See my previous post.

The rule is. You must run setup within win 7/8 first, do not boot from DVD! After that you can do a completely clean install by booting off DVD/USB whatever. No upgrade, no authorisation, on a per machine basis. Bottom line.

Oh and make darn sure your BIOS is set not to boot off DVD if you do an upgrade off DVD (or USB) first time around. After reboot it starts installation from scratch and won't authorize (really bad design from MS). Other way is to immediately remove DVD when machine reboots first time.

Ah! Thanks Doktor... my post was replying to fscanlan and saw yours after posting mine. That will do it!

bitflipper
Great tip, Jeff! Thanks. That could be a lifesaver someday.
 
My own insurance has been to maintain a master file that contains every serial number and product key I've ever installed, along with logins and passwords, bank account numbers and social security numbers for the whole family.
 
I've been copying that file forward from machine to machine for 35 years (its original incarnation was on an Apple ][ !). Granted, it would be a treasure-trove for an identity thief, but I keep it well-hidden and password-protected. 

 I pay $20 a year for Roboform.  It is nice that most developers keep track of serial numbers. Cakewalk has my Sonar 2 serials listed.
 
 I also like how AD and Toontrack allow you to name your machines.  Multiple licenses of the same product can be a real hassle.