Windows 10: Need a new HDD making sure I can upgrade before I do

I never upgraded to Windows 10 and my HDD crashed on me. I need to buy a new one and was going to upgrade to 10 cause I don't have my Windows 7 install disk anymore. I do have the the windows key sticker on my computer still. Can I use that if I were to download the Windows 10 iso? I know you can secretly get 10 still but what it sounds like I would have to have 7 or 8.1 installed which that won't happen unless I bought the cd again. Maybe someone knows an alternative? Just so you know I did google this and looked to the forum about 15 pages and couldn't find my answer unless I over looked something. Thanks.

Welcome to TenForums @BudWheel

Periodically I've seen reports on this forum that an upgrade will still activate and get a digital licence, even though MS has said that the offer is over.

Since the Anniversary Update you don't need to upgrade an existing installed 7 or 8, the key from the old OS is sufficient to prove entitlement. Whether that will work with the key from your sticker is something you'll have to find out for yourself. Is it an OEM sticker? Or did you purchase a retail W7 and keep the sticker from that?

BudWheel said:

I never upgraded to Windows 10 and my HDD crashed on me. I need to buy a new one and was going to upgrade to 10 cause I don't have my Windows 7 install disk anymore. I do have the the windows key sticker on my computer still. Can I use that if I were to download the Windows 10 iso? I know you can secretly get 10 still but what it sounds like I would have to have 7 or 8.1 installed which that won't happen unless I bought the cd again. Maybe someone knows an alternative? Just so you know I did google this and looked to the forum about 15 pages and couldn't find my answer unless I over looked something. Thanks.

1. It's no secret that you can still upgrade Windows 7 or 8/8.1 to Windows 10 for free.
2. The product key printed on the Windows 7 sticker should activate the matching version of Windows 10.
3. You don't have to purchase a Windows 7 DVD to install Windows 7. You can download the Windows 7 ISO file from Microsoft and make your own installation USB flash drive or DVD.