The MSA linked HWID can be established by linking them together as soon as it can be done when 10 1607 is released (or do what i offered with an 14376 iso).
Yes, just pointing out that it may not get linked automatically to his MSA as was suggested. Anyways it shouldn't be necessary unless he changes hid motherboard and even the who knows if it will make any difference.
My remark about linking the HWID to a MSA was just a little addition to my offered solution for the OP, please don't get sidetracked by it (also because it's about a laptop on which major hardware changes will be very unlikely)
Talked to some Microsoft chatter and he claimed that changing HDD's would require new activation and would deactivate old key. Moreover he told me that those people who will do free upgrade to Windows 10 using serials from earlier products will have to purchase new Windows 10 OS if they decide to change their HDD/MoBo after July 29.
I tested the replacing hdd option and i was still activated (im already on 14376). Wasn't the Activation Troubleshooter meant for keeping activated when major HW changes were done?
Think we need clarity on OEM type if this is oem:slp then no need to enter any key at all, so he would not run the risk of deactivating oem:none slp key. I also do not see a problem I just made acronis image of ssd for safety did free upgrade and reverted back to windows 7 via windows 10 did not even need to use my acronis image. I have also since then done clean installation of windows 10 and it activated via hardware id, and again went back to windows 7 clean installation with oem:slp activation with no problems at all. Eventually used my acronis image to revert back to my old windows 7 with my software installed.
Even if miss out windows 7 free upgrade, there are other alternatives like: Manual kms activation every 180 days