Is it somehow possible to re install W7 on a new hdd if you have the original MS key.

I replaced a failed HDD on my 7 year old Dell XPS 9000 W7 desktop

I tried to restore my macrium backup file image but was not able to (Image verify failure)
Although I have the original W7 disc that came with the desktop, numerous attempts to use it to re install on the new hard drive have failed

I now must install a new OS on the new hdd. 

I recently read somewhere that I can download an iso image of windows 10 and use my 25 digit W7 key to create a windows OS on a new hard drive.

Can anyone please chime in and tell me if this is in fact possible?
Thanks for your help!