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Benefits of Installing Windows 11 on an M.2 SSD
Microsoft's newest operating system, Windows 11, showcases its impressive boot speed and fluidity flawlessly on a high-performance SSD. Whether you're gaming, engaged in computer programming, audio and video editing, or working on engineering drawings, the synergy between Windows 11 and an M.2 SSD enhances both comfort and enjoyment in your work and leisure activities! To further enhance your experience and boost productivity, we highly recommend installing Windows 11 on an M.2 SSD.
In this post, we will discuss:
How to Initialize a New M.2 SSD for Usage
In this case, the SSD initialization process is optional, only necessary if your newly purchased M.2 SSD is recognized as an "uninitialized disk" when connected to a computer. For instance:
To initialize an M.2 SSD in preparation for installing Windows 11, follow these steps:
Step 1. Depending on the type of your M.2 SSD, you need to insert it correctly into either a "PCIe" or "SATA" slot.
Step 2. Open Windows Disk Management and find the new M.2 SSD, which should be displayed as "not initialized." To access Windows Disk Management, for Windows 8.1 and later versions, click on "This PC" > "Manage" > "Disk Management." For Windows 7, go to "My Computer" instead of "This PC."
Step 3. Right-click on the unallocated SSD and select "Initialize Disk".
Step 4. In the Initialize Disk dialog box, select the correct disk to initialize. Then click "OK" to accept the default partition style, or you can choose to change the partition style to either GPT or MBR as per your preference.
How to Clone Windows 11 to an M.2 SSD Without Reinstalling
- Applies to: Swapping an old Windows 11 boot drive (whether it's an HDD or SSD) with a new M.2 SSD
- Requirements: Install the M.2 SSD on your desktop PC's motherboard or utilize a connection cable/case for a laptop
Have you ever thought about the hassle of moving your current Windows 11 setup to a speedier, compact, yet more durable M.2 SSD when upgrading from your regular hard drive? Well, you can't just use the usual copy and paste method like you would with regular files on the Windows system. See, Windows doesn't let you manually copy system files that way due to those pesky system protection limitations.
In this scenario, if you need to switch from an HDD to a Solid-State Drive but are unsure about how to install the operating system on the new hard drive, don't worry. Todo Backup is an ideal solution for you. It is a professional Windows backup software, and moreover, its cloning and System Clone features set it apart from other competitors.
Next, follow the guide to clone Windows 11 to an M.2 SSD using M.2 SSD cloning software:
Step 1. Launch tools Todo Backup and click "Tools", and then you can choose any function presented to you.
Step 2. Todo Backup will automatically select the boot and system partition. You just need to choose the target disk and click "Next". (Make sure the partition styles of both the source disk and the target disk are identical.)
*System clone will erase all data. Please ensure to back up your data beforehand.
Step 3. If you want to clone your system to an SSD, you can choose "Optimize for SSD" in the Advanced Options.
Step 4. Click "Proceed" to start cloning.
How to Install Windows 11 on an M.2 SSD using a USB Drive
- Applies to: Clean installation of Windows 11, reinstallation of Windows 11
- Requirements: An external flash drive or pen drive
The standard procedure for manually installing Windows 11 on an M.2 SSD and booting from it is as follows: 1. **Prepare the Installation Media**: - Download the official Windows 11 ISO file from Microsoft's website. - Use software like Rufus or Microsoft's Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive with the ISO. 2. **Boot from the USB Drive**: - Insert the USB drive into your computer's M.2 slot or USB port. - Change the BIOS/UEFI settings to prioritize booting from USB. - Save and exit the BIOS, which will initiate the boot process from the USB drive. 3. **Start the Installation Process**: - Follow the on-screen instructions to begin the Windows 11 setup. - Choose "Custom: Install only" to perform a clean installation. - Select the M.2 SSD as the target drive for installation. Ensure you choose the correct drive, as this will erase all existing data. 4. **Format and Partition the M.2 SSD**: - If necessary, format the SSD by selecting "New" under the "Drive options (advanced)". - Create a new partition on the SSD, ensuring it's large enough to accommodate Windows 11 and your desired apps. 5. **Install Windows 11**: - Confirm the selected partition and proceed with the installation. - Wait for the installation process to complete, which may take some time. 6. **Post-Installation Configuration**: - After installation, your PC will restart several times. - Complete the initial setup, including setting up your user account and preferences. - Connect to Wi-Fi to download any available updates. 7. **Boot into Windows 11**: - Once the configuration is finished, your system should automatically boot from the M.2 SSD. - Verify that Windows 11 is running smoothly on your M.2 SSD. Remember to backup your important data before proceeding with the installation, as it involves erasing the contents of the chosen drive.
- 1. Before starting, ensure that your computer satisfies the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. You will also need an unused USB drive with at least 4 GB of space.
2. Download the Windows 11 installation files from Microsoft's official website. Choose the edition of Windows 11 you wish to install, along with the appropriate architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).
3. Connect the USB drive to your computer and copy the contents of the Windows 11 ISO file onto the drive.
4. Safely disconnect the USB drive and restart your computer. Upon booting, access your BIOS or UEFI settings and set your M.2 SSD as the primary boot device. Save the changes and exit the BIOS.
The manual approach of visiting the Microsoft download page to create a Windows 11 Installation Assistant or Windows 11 Installation Media is widely prevalent online. The Windows 11 Installation Assistant facilitates the installation of Windows 11 on your currently in-use device, whereas the Windows 11 Installation Media is employed for performing a fresh install or reinstall of Windows 11 on a new or pre-owned computer. As per our observation, approximately 47% of users are open to the challenge of manually installing Windows 11 through either method.
Alternatively, we'd like to introduce an easier and faster method to greatly streamline the lengthy process of downloading the latest Windows 11 update version using an automatic Windows 11 downloader software - Tool OS2Go.
It boasts three practical options for installing Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 on an external storage device, namely:
- 1. Create a portable version of Windows on a USB flash drive or external hard drive
2. Create a Windows Installation Assistant drive by choosing the desired Windows version
3. Create a Windows Media Creation drive by selecting the preferred Windows ISO image
Here's the procedure to create a Windows 11 Media Creation Tool USB drive to install Windows 11 on an M.2 SSD: 1. **Download the Media Creation Tool**: Visit the official Microsoft website and download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool. 2. **Insert USB Drive**: Plug in a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of space into your computer's USB port. 3. **Backup Data**: Ensure that you have backed up all important data on the USB drive, as the process will format it. 4. **Run the Media Creation Tool**: Double-click the downloaded MediaCreationTool.exe file to launch it. 5. **Accept License Terms**: Read and accept the license terms when prompted. 6. **Select "Create installation media for another PC"**: In the Media Creation Tool, choose the option to create installation media for another computer. 7. **Choose Language, Edition, and Architecture**: Select the language, edition (e.g., Home or Pro), and architecture (64-bit) of Windows 11 you want to install. 8. **Select USB Drive**: Choose the USB drive from the list of available drives. Make sure you've correctly identified the drive to avoid accidentally formatting another drive. 9. **Start the Process**: Click "Next" and then "Begin the process" to start creating the bootable Windows 11 USB drive. 10. **Wait for Completion**: The tool will now download the necessary files and prepare the USB drive. This may take some time depending on your internet speed and the size of the files. 11. **Eject USB Drive**: Once the process is complete, safely eject the USB drive from your computer. 12. **Boot from USB**: Insert the USB drive into the computer with the M.2 SSD where you want to install Windows 11. Boot the computer from the USB drive (you may need to change the boot order in BIOS settings). 13. **Install Windows 11**: Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 11 onto your M.2 SSD. Make sure to select the correct drive during the installation process to ensure Windows 11 is installed on the M.2 SSD. 14. **Wait for Installation**: The installation process will take some time. After it finishes, your computer will restart, and you'll be prompted to set up Windows 11. 15. **Configure Windows 11**: Complete the initial setup, including entering your Microsoft account information, setting preferences, and activating Windows. Now, you should have successfully installed Windows 11 on your M.2 SSD using the Media Creation Tool USB drive.
< strong > Step 1. < /strong> Install OS2Go tools on your Windows computer. Plug in a USB drive or external hard drive that is large enough.
Step 2. Select the third tab, "Windows Install Drive Creator." First, choose the Windows versions you wish to install. OS2Go supports creating installation media for Windows 11, 10, and 8.1. You also have the option to select a local ISO file. Once your selections are complete, click "Create."
Step 3. You'll then see a safety warning message informing you that all data on the selected disk will be erased. Click "Continue" to proceed.
Step 4. Next, OS2Go will begin creating the Windows installation media. This process typically involves downloading an ISO file, which can take some time depending on your operating system and network conditions. When the progress reaches 100%, the USB drive should be bootable.
(Translation: "Create Windows Installation Media Step 3")Step 5. Insert the Windows Installation media into your computer and initiate the installation process.
Clone Windows 11 vs. Clean Install Windows 11: Which Suits You Better
In conclusion, both System Clone/System Migration and Windows reinstallation methods can be beneficial when aiming to install Windows 11 on an M.2 SSD for improved boot speed. The best approach is the one that suits your specific needs most effectively.
Use a disk/partition clone method when: 1. You want to upgrade your existing hard drive to a larger one while preserving all the data and settings. 2. You need to create an exact replica of your system drive for backup purposes or to prepare for potential hardware failures. 3. You're migrating from one operating system (OS) to another on the same computer, ensuring compatibility and preserving user profiles and applications. 4. You're performing a clean installation of your OS but wish to retain personal files, programs, and settings. 5. You want to duplicate a drive for testing or troubleshooting purposes, without affecting the original. 6. You're consolidating multiple smaller partitions into a larger one, or redistributing free space between partitions. 7. You need to transfer your system to a new computer, ensuring that all software licenses, settings, and preferences are intact. 8. You're preparing a standardized image for deployment across multiple computers in a corporate or educational environment. Remember that cloning only copies the used sectors, so any unused space on the source drive will be available as free space on the target drive.
- You wish to replicate the exact configuration of a PC on another computer.
- Performing multiple installations of the same system OS and configurations across numerous computers.
- Reverting an existing hard drive back to its original settings and setup.
- Moving crucial data and hard drive contents to a new disk.
Use a Windows Clean Install when: - Your computer is running extremely slow and you suspect that a fresh installation might resolve performance issues. - You want to remove all existing software, settings, and user data for a completely new start. - You're experiencing recurring or severe system errors, crashes, or malware infections that cannot be resolved through standard troubleshooting methods. - You plan to upgrade to a newer version of Windows and prefer a clean slate rather than an in-place upgrade. - You're preparing the computer for resale or donation, and you need to ensure a clean operating system without any personal information. - You're encountering hardware compatibility issues that might be resolved by a clean install. - You want to optimize the system by removing unnecessary bloatware or manufacturer-specific software. Remember that a clean install will erase everything on your hard drive, so make sure to back up any important files and personal data before proceeding.
- Diagnosing and resolving issues with the current computer's operating system.
- Removing malware and other security risks.
- Smoothly upgrading to a new Windows OS version without encountering any issues.
- You face performance issues even after uninstalling certain programs.
No matter which way you prefer, tools software products of tools Todo Backup and tools OS2Go can help you out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Installing Windows 11 on an M.2 SSD
Can I install Windows 11 on an M.2 SSD?
Yes, you can indeed install Windows 11 on an M.2 SSD. You can utilize tools like Todo Backup to clone the Windows 11 system to an M.2 SSD without the need for reinstallation.
< strong > Should I install Windows 11 on an NVMe drive? < /strong >
The synergy between Windows 11 and M.2 SSD can enhance your work and leisure experience, bringing more comfort and joy! We highly recommend installing Windows 11 on an M.2 SSD to boost both efficiency and enjoyment.