Windows 10 Upgrade Install CD Key and/or boot requirements

I tried to install Windows 10 Pro 32 using a DVD .. and, booting from the DVD.
When I got to the point where the Key was needed, it didn't accept the key.
(I used the Windows 7 Pro 32 key that the machine already had for lack of any other).
I read something that suggested one must do this from within Windows. So, I did that.
It didn't ask for a key and it worked.

Yet, I wonder if the other process should have worked?
The machine is an MS Refurbisher build of Windows 7 on an original Vista machine.
Here is the Belarc Advisor info:


The footnote to the first one says:


This seems a bit odd because the Product Key with "OEM" lines up with the DVD Key I was using. Yet, it appears to say Microsoft - Internet Explorer.
The one lined up with Windows 8.1 Professional isn't one that I recognize at all.

Should one be able to install by booting from the Windows 10 DVD?
Does the fact that it's a Refurbisher install matter? (Presumably that's just a newer OEM install).
Does the fact that it's based on an OEM Vista system matter?
Is there a better tool than Belarc Advisor?

You can clean install by booting; upgrade must be done within the OS. Need to upgrade prior to doing a clean install. When asked for a key just skip that step and it should activate upon boot.