Clean Install Windows 10  

Brink said:

The digital license is what's on Microsoft's activation server that is associated with the product key to activate on that specific computer.

You should be good to go then.

Isn't the product key the same as a digital license?

Brink said:

Basically, but the digital license is just an online activation reference of the product key.

A more detailed explanation is under "Methods of activation" below to help.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ws-10-activate

Not real clear considering I have a digital license but not associated with MSA:
If you got Windows 10 by...: "Upgrading to Windows 10 for free from an eligible device running a genuine copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1"

Activation method: "If you associated or signed onto a Microsoft Account or associated your MSA with your digital license, that will be your MSA containing the digital license."

The digital license stored on Microsoft Activation Servers is based only on the unique hardware ID of the computer itself and which edition of Windows (Home or Pro) is installed on that computer and has nothing to do with a Microsoft Account. When you log onto that computer with a Microsoft Microsoft, a link is added to your Microsoft account pointing to that digital license.

When you reinstall the same edition of Windows 10 on the same computer, the Unique Hardware ID of that computer and the edition of Windows 10 installed is sent to MS activation servers. A match is made in the database and the stored digital license will activate Windows. This happens completely independent of an Microsoft Account.

NavyLCDR said:

The digital license stored on Microsoft Activation Servers is based only on the unique hardware ID of the computer itself and which edition of Windows (Home or Pro) is installed on that computer and has nothing to do with a Microsoft Account. When you log onto that computer with a Microsoft Microsoft, a link is added to your Microsoft account pointing to that digital license.

When you reinstall the same edition of Windows 10 on the same computer, the Unique Hardware ID of that computer and the edition of Windows 10 installed is sent to MS activation servers. A match is made in the database and the stored digital license will activate Windows. This happens completely independent of an Microsoft Account.

Now that is putting it in plain english that I can understand.

Great tutorial detail....thanks Shawn.