Yesterday after my hard drive in my laptop finally gave up the ghost, I ordered an SSD.
The HDD is basically unusable, but on the off chance I ordered another SATA to USB cable, hoping I can save at least a few files. But that's not the point.
Anyway, then of course I have to reinstall Windows. Can I somehow use the old Windows key or do I just have to buy a new one?
And then of course I have to reinstall drivers (?) Or are they stored somewhere outside the HDD?
You can use the old key. Drivers are usually loaded automatically after the Internet is configured. You can find special drivers for grakas or similar on the manufacturer's website of the graka manufacturer
The key is not lost if you have already activated Windows 10. This license is stored on the Microsoft activation server. If you reinstall Windows 10 on the SSD, Windows 10 automatically reconnects to the activation server and it then activates itself again automatically. You don't have to enter the key anymore.
You can also create a Microsoft account and use it to log into Windows 10 as a user. Then you can link the license to your Microsoft account in the activation.
If you had an oem key, it is stored on the mainboard. Then you don't need a new one.
if there's a website with great offers.
https://www.keyforsteam.de/windows-10-professional-key-kaufen-preisvergleich/
i also use a key from the website and am very satisfied
"Can I somehow use the old Windows key or do I just have to buy a new one?"
As a rule, the PC should be recognized by the Windows licensing system based on the HWID and Windows should then be activated automatically. Just make sure that you select the correct variant (Home, Pro, etc.) during installation (you can simply click on "I do not have a product key" when you are asked to enter a key during installation.
"And then of course I have to reinstall drivers (?)"
Should you.
"or are they stored somewhere outside the HDD?"
Well, you can download it from the device manufacturer's support website or see what Windows Update happens to have in the database.
If the HDD is ONLY extremely slow, but has no read errors, you could also try to simply mirror it 1 to 1 on the SSD. Then Windows would be just like before, only fast.
