Can Windows 10 be loaded onto a replacement drive after upgrade?

[cactuspete23]

I have Windows 10 on a lenovo T400 laptop, It was upgraded from Windows 8.1. I need to replace the hard drive because it is making some noise.

My question is whether I can do a clean install of Windows 10, using the Win 10 USB that I downloaded from Microsoft? Will the computer still have the License on it; even though the Existing Drive is not being used? Or will I get an error, asking for registration/license key? Trying not to clone the existing drive, as I's like a clean install, and am a bit worried the drive may not clone properly as it's acting up.

Thanks!

 

[charlatan1978]

If you activated Win10 on the laptop, then you should be able to replace the hard drive and do a clean install.
The activation is tied to the laptop.

 

[cactuspete23]

Thanks! That would be perfect !

 

[cactuspete23]

Did the upgrade yesterday, and everything looks good. Licence/Key is activated on the new install. Thanks!