(Easiest Way) How to Clone 2.5 SSD to M.2 Using the Best SSD Cloning Software

# 2.5" SSD vs. M.2 SSD: What's the Difference? When upgrading or building a computer, picking the right storage device is vital. Among the popular choices are 2.5-inch Solid State Drives (SSDs) and M.2 SSDs. Both deliver substantial performance boosts compared to conventional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), but they have distinct differences. Let's delve into these distinctions to help you make an informed choice. ## Form Factor and Size 1. **2.5-inch SSD**: True to its name, these SSDs adhere to the standard 2.5-inch size used for laptop hard drives. They're usually 7mm or 9.5mm thick and can be readily installed in desktops or laptops with compatible bays. 2. **M.2 SSD**: Also known as Next-Generation Form Factor (NGFF), M.2 is a smaller, more compact interface designed for motherboards. These SSDs come in various lengths (typically 22mm wide and ranging from 30mm to 110mm long) and attach directly to the motherboard, conserving space. ## Interface and Connection 1. **2.5-inch SSD**: These SSDs commonly use SATA or PCIe interfaces. SATA-based SSDs have a maximum theoretical transfer speed of around 6 Gbps, while PCIe-based SSDs (utilizing NVMe protocol) can reach speeds up to 32 Gbps or beyond. 2. **M.2 SSD**: Like 2.5-inch SSDs, M.2 SSDs can leverage SATA or PCIe interfaces. SATA-based M.2 SSDs share the same speed constraints, but PCIe-based M.2 SSDs with NVMe offer much faster transfer rates. ## Performance M.2 SSDs, particularly those using PCIe and NVMe, generally outperform 2.5-inch SSDs due to their direct link to the motherboard's PCIe lanes, bypassing the SATA controller. This leads to quicker read and write speeds, making them ideal for demanding tasks such as gaming, video editing, and data-intensive applications. ## Compatibility 1. **2.5-inch SSD**: Most contemporary desktops and laptops support 2.5-inch drives, ensuring widespread compatibility. However, older systems might need an adapter for installation. 2. **M.2 SSD**: Not all motherboards accommodate M.2 SSDs, so verify that your system has an available M.2 slot and supports the desired interface (SATA or PCIe). Some motherboards might have restrictions on the type of M.2 SSD they can handle, like specific lengths or requiring a particular PCIe lane configuration. ## Heat Dissipation Since M.2 SSDs are mounted directly on the motherboard, they lack the separate cooling space found in 2.5-inch SSDs, potentially causing heat management issues. High-performance M.2 SSDs can overheat under heavy loads, impacting performance. Some high-end motherboards come with dedicated heat sinks to address this, while other systems might require users to add supplementary cooling solutions. ## Cost Both 2.5-inch and M.2 SSDs have a broad price range based on capacity, performance, and brand. Typically, M.2 SSDs with comparable specs can be slightly pricier than their 2.5-inch equivalents due to their smaller form factor and higher manufacturing costs. ## Conclusion The choice between a 2.5-inch SSD and an M.2 SSD depends on your specific requirements and system compatibility. If top performance and space-saving are priorities, opt for an M.2 SSD with PCIe and NVMe. Conversely, if you seek a more universally compatible option that still offers significant speed enhancements over HDDs, a 2.5-inch SSD could be the better bet. Always factor in your budget, compatibility, and intended use when making your decision.

Solid-state drives (SSDs) have gained significant popularity over hard disk drives (HDDs) owing to their enhanced reading and writing speeds. The main types of SSDs available are 2.5-inch, M.2 (SATA & NVMe), NVMe PCIe, and U.2 SSDs.

The 2.5 SSD refers to a standard SSD form factor that is commonly installed on an SSD tray within a computer case. This 2.5-inch solid-state drive connects to the motherboard using SATA, with its maximum transfer speed reaching around 500-600 MB/s. Unlike HDDs, 2.5-inch SSDs have no moving components, making them more resilient. However, they have lower transfer speeds and are bulkier compared to M.2 SSDs. Moreover, 2.5 SSDs necessitate both a SATA data cable and a SATA power cable, potentially contributing to cable management issues.

?Related Reading: How to Clone M.2 SSD with Only One Slot

The M.2 SSD represents the next generation of solid-state drives. M.2 SSDs are slightly faster than standard SSDs, capable of achieving data transfer speeds up to 3500 MB/S. Moreover, they are significantly smaller than conventional 2.5-inch SSDs, allowing users to install an M.2 SSD in a laptop even when there's no space for a regular one. M.2 SSDs come in two varieties: SATA SSD and NVMe SSD. For those seeking even greater speed, opting for an M.2 NVMe SSD will provide a boosted performance.

Best SSD Cloning Software for Cloning 2.5-inch SSD to M.2

Now, we understand the distinction between a 2.5-inch SSD and an M.2 SSD. Most computer users seek to transfer data from a 2.5-inch SSD to an M.2 SSD owing to its superior performance and compact size. However, with numerous SSD cloning software options available on the market, selecting the right one is crucial. In this instance, I will recommend a practical SSD cloning tool called Disk Copy to you. This disk cloning software enables you to effortlessly and swiftly clone your 2.5-inch SSD to an M.2 SSD.

Tools Disk Copy is a powerful yet user-friendly disk cloning software for Windows 11/10/8/7. It enables you to clone systems, disks, and partitions effortlessly. This tool is perfect for upgrading to an SSD or a larger disk without the need to reinstall the operating system. Additionally, it allows you to upgrade your hard drive to a larger one and clone an HDD to SSD to enhance performance. It facilitates the migration of Windows 10 to NVME or M.2 without requiring a reinstallation of the Windows computer. Below are some notable features of Tools Disk Copy.

Here are the translations for the provided text: 1. Time-efficient. The Disk Copy tool has a faster cloning speed, which means it takes less time to clone a hard drive or an SSD. 2. Diverse cloning options. It can assist in cloning disks, systems, and partitions on your Windows 11/10/8/7 computer. 3. Windows System Migration. Disk Copy can easily migrate Windows 10 from an HDD to an SSD or another SATA/M.2/NVMe type SSD. 4. Convenient data backup. It allows you to create a backup of the source disk, and you can easily and promptly restore data from a failed hard drive.

From the above, it can be concluded that Disk Copy is the ideal tool for cloning a 2.5-inch SSD to an M.2 SSD. Let's proceed to see the steps involved in the process.

Step-by-Step Guide to Clone an M.2 SSD from a 2.5-inch SSD

Here are the step-by-step instructions for using Disk Copy tool. Follow these steps to clone a 2.5-inch SSD to an M.2 SSD: 1. **Download and Install Disk Copy Tool**: First, visit the official website of the disk cloning software (such as Clonezilla, Acronis True Image, or Apple's Disk Utility for macOS) and download the appropriate version for your operating system. Install it on your computer. 2. **Connect Both SSDs**: Connect your 2.5-inch SSD to your computer using an external SATA-to-USB adapter or enclosure. Ensure that your M.2 SSD is properly installed in your computer, either in an M.2 slot or via an adapter. 3. **Boot up Computer**: Start or restart your computer. If you're using a utility like Clonezilla, you may need to boot from a USB or CD/DVD with the software loaded. 4. **Open Disk Copy Tool**: Launch the Disk Copy software you've installed or booted from. 5. **Select Source Disk**: In the software interface, identify and select your 2.5-inch SSD as the source disk. 6. **Select Destination Disk**: Locate and choose your M.2 SSD as the destination disk where the clone will be written. 7. **Start Cloning Process**: Initiate the cloning process by clicking on the appropriate button (e.g., "Clone," "Copy," or "Start"). The software will then create an exact copy of your source disk onto the destination disk. 8. **Wait for Completion**: This process may take some time, depending on the size of data on the 2.5-inch SSD. Be patient and do not interrupt the cloning operation. 9. **Verify Cloned Data**: Once the cloning is complete, you can verify the cloned data by checking if all files and partitions are present and intact on the M.2 SSD. 10. **Swap Disks (Optional)**: If you plan to use the M.2 SSD as your primary drive, you'll need to shut down your computer, remove the 2.5-inch SSD, and install the M.2 SSD in its place. 11. **Boot from the New Drive**: Power on your computer, and it should automatically boot from the cloned M.2 SSD. Make sure everything functions correctly. Remember to backup important data before any disk cloning process, and always consult the software's documentation for specific instructions and troubleshooting tips.

Prior Notice:

• The "Sector by sector copy" option requires the target disk to be at least the same size or larger than the source disk. Uncheck this option if you want to clone a larger hard drive to a smaller one. • All data on the destination disk will be completely wiped, so please proceed with caution.

Step 1. To begin copying/ cloning an entire disk to another, select this disk as the source disk under "Disk Mode" and click "Next".

Step 2. Select the other disk as the destination disk.

Step 3. Check the disk layout of the two disks. You can manage the disk layout of the destination disk by selecting "Autofit the disk", "Copy as the source" or "Edit disk layout".

• "Autofit the disk" makes some default changes to the destination disk layout to optimize its performance.
• "Copy as the source" does not modify the destination disk and retains the same layout as the source disk.
• "Edit disk layout" enables you to manually adjust/resize the partition layout on the destination disk.

Check the box that says "Select this option if the target is an SSD" to optimize performance for your SSD.

A message will now appear warning you that data will be lost. Confirm this message by clicking “OK” and then click “Next”.

Step 4. Click "Proceed" to officially execute the task.

Final Thoughts

That's all about how to clone 2.5 SSD to M.2 SSD. After reading this article, you'll know that cloning an M.2 SSD from a 2.5 SSD will be a breeze with the assistance of tools like Disk Copy.

Tools Disk Copy is an exceptional cloning utility for computer users to utilize. In comparison to similar software, it offers more valuable features and is user-friendly. For instance, it enables you to clone an NVMe SSD to a SATA SSD. Additionally, it supports a wide range of external storage devices, such as navigation SD cards, USB drives, external hard drives, different types of SSDs, and more. Give Tools Disk Copy a try right now; it can assist you in cloning a 2.5-inch SSD to an M.2 SSD on any computer. Don't hesitate to get this tool!

Frequently Asked Questions

**1. Can you clone an SSD to an NVMe M.2 drive?**

If your laptop's motherboard has an M.2 slot that supports NVMe, and your laptop is capable of booting in UEFI mode, you can utilize a disk cloning utility to directly clone your SATA drive to an M.2 NVMe SSD. Additionally, it's a sensible choice to retain the SATA drive as a secondary storage device.

2. How do I clone M.2 with only one slot?

The simplest method for laptops/computers with a single M.2 slot is to use a bootable cloning utility and an external USB HDD. This involves booting into the cloning software, creating a disk image on the HDD, shutting down, replacing the disk, booting back into the cloning software, and then copying the drive image from the HDD to the new drive.

**3. Is NVMe a SSD?**

NVMe (short for Non-Volatile Memory Express) is a new type of storage access and transport protocol for flash and next-generation solid-state drives that delivers the highest throughput and fastest response times for all types of enterprise workloads.

4. Should I clone or do a fresh install on the SSD?

A clean install usually provides the best performance compared with disk cloning and OS migration. In summary, perform a clean Windows installation if you prioritize computer performance. However, if you want to avoid additional work, cloning the disk or migrating the system might be more suitable options.