Thanks ntd!
I was able to successfully install Win10PE SE on a USB stick, it booted fine in several computers, I had sound and display was working fine at low resolution.
Under device manager there were several items w/o drivers, and the only thing I really need working is networking. The wireless card shows installed, but when I go to the network config in Windows, it says components are missing. Wireless networks are not displayed when I click the network icon in the tray.
Other than that, I used PE to run Macrium Reflect and successfully unlock a WD Ultra Portable backup drive which had the backup I've made prior to upgrading the HDD.