I just updated my Dell model year screengrabs.  Now the newer model years screengrab shows Purdue University (in the URL) gets the credit for the chart.

If you don't mind me answering; I can't help myself.

Yes to both.  A Win10 load to an SSD will go easy peasy.  First, be sure to format it to NTFS and use MBR partition.  This can be done in Win7 or 10.  (I'm not familiar with Win8.)

There will be security and other updates.  They will take a while, especially if you're starting fresh.  You might want to let the updates run overnight.

My favorite SSD adapter:  https://www.amazon.com/ORICO-Adapter-Mounting-Bracket-Interface/dp/B01LZWX6PD/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=orico+ssd+adapter&qid=1601677445&sr=8-3  Adapter still goes in original caddy.

I once tried a cheapy adapter and it left the tab that hangs down from the original caddy in the way of the connections.

No Secure Boot on a 7010?  Huh.

Well, @WWII Researcher is interested in the 7020 anyway.

Should my Secure Boot be on or off?

Isn't GPT partition for drives over 2 TB?

I'm pretty sure you don't have to worry about fat32 if loading from DVD.

You're welcome!   And thanks for the kudos!

Hi again Brad

Thanx for the tip on the special bracket for the SSD Drive!

GPT has the advantage that it can support more than 2 TB. It also has the advantage that more than 4 partitions can be created... It is preferred on a Windows 10 install as it allows the creation of multiple partitions used to boot Windows. Essentially MBR gave a single boot partitions and when it was corrupt your entire OS got corrupt. Windows 10 uses multiple partitions and is therefore a bit more stable. 

In any case if you use Secure Boot you need to have a FAT32 formatted Bootable USB and need to use the GPT partition scheme otherwise the Bootable USB will be rejected by Secure Boot. The optical drive is usually also rejected by Secure Boot.

Thank you so much Philip and friends! Though I fear we're nearing information overload (sorry how the post evolved) ...

In an effort to summarize: 

It was advised here to try to get hold of a genuine Windows 10 Pro OS preferably on a flashdrive (not necessarily a DVD)?

I'll be picking up a good used 7020 i7 desktop and will format a new SSD System Drive. Once I do that, YES I should get ready for lengthy security updates. (I've been thru that before)

The only question remaining is whether I'll need that OS to have a Product Key? Its my understanding (as in the past), if the old original Product Key is not visible on the casing of the machine anymore, (or since I'm not the original owner), then yes I'll need a Product Key to go along with the copy of the OS ...So I should look for a genuine copy of Windows 10 Pro OS with a Product Key

Correct?

Thank You Guys!

Hey fireberd - nice to see you ..!

"Most of the refurbished Optiplex's I see for sale on Amazon come with Win 10 installed"

Thank you yes perhaps but please understand I'd like to do my own FRESH install ...

So the question remains whether I'll need that OS to have a Product Key? Its my understanding (as in the past), if the old original Product Key is not visible on the casing of the machine anymore, (or since I'm not the original owner), then will I need a Product Key to go along with the copy of the OS????

If so then perhaps I should look for a genuine copy of Windows 10 Pro OS with a Product Key?

Thanks Again!