Windows 10: Is registering a computer different from linking Windows 10 activation key To a MS account?

Hi,I’ve purchased a computer with a former factory Windows 8 licence, upgraded by its owner to Windows 10. Upon receiving it, I created a user account of my own using my MS account for registering the new device. I then attempted to install pending updates, and past rebooting sequence, computer won’t restart, presumably because of overheating.My device is therefore considered associated with my account, however, I cannot see any features granting me access to the Windows product key it used to be running with.I should have penned this down, yet I didn’t since I didn’t suppose the computer woul

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Loophole Lets You Freely Upgrade to Windows 10 After Offer Expiry

If you upgrade your 7 install to 10, which is worth it IMHO, make sure you link to a Microsoft Account. Otherwise you might not be able to easily regain the key if they block using 7 keys in the future.

You don't need to use the Microsoft account as your profile on so you can still bypass logging in at setup and creating a local account. All you gotta do to link your 10 account to your MS install (if you choose not to use your MS account as your profile), is to simply do the following:

• Click Start
• Click Settings
• Click Update and Security
• Click Activation
• As or with Admin permissions, click Add Account
• Login with MS Account credentials.

Then you should see a message that reads:

More info: How to reactivate Windows 10 after a hardware change , https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/55398-microsoft-account-link-digital-license-windows-10-pc.html , Link a Microsoft Account to a Windows 10 license - gHacks Tech News

 

Multiple Keys associated with MS Account?

Thanks again for your time in replying.
I think we should forget about this discussion, as we seem to be at cross purposes.
You have taken what I said out of context. I know how the activation has worked over the years - particularly in relation to re-installing and changing hardware, but that was/is not my point.
My point is that I believed that the rules have changed in Anniversary regarding changing hardware and licensing activation. I was wrongly under the impression that MS had changed the rules to link a key to a MSA account rather than hardware. I was clearly wrong!
I was saying in my previous post, that I would like to see MS adopt a similar approach as many other developers, i.e. attach the key to the user MSA and allow one install on one key. So, for example, one would de-activate on one device and re-activate the key on a new device linked via the user's MSA and registered key. Inputting a key would relate to a user and not hardware.
But, that is not important as my opinion has no bearing on MS's activation policy, and I only mentioned it in passing!
I repeat what I said in my previous post, I am interested in your statement 'I can transfer a license from a device listed on my Microsoft Account'. That seems to suggest what I was thinking in the first place! How is that done exactly? Other posts here suggest that devices can be deleted from the account and it makes no difference.

 

Get a Windows 10 licence for free if you register on Windows Insider

Will have no install on a VM then upgrade. No big problem so long as they keys for win 10 are retail. All my w10 installs have MS IP accounts linked.