How to Install Windows 10 on an M.2 SSD? 2024 Full Guide

Key Takeaways:

• Installing Windows 10 or Windows 11 on an M.2 SSD can enhance the speed of Windows loading and operation.
• You have two methods to install Windows 10: either burn the Windows 10 ISO to the M.2 SSD or migrate the operating system.
• Additionally, we offer a quick troubleshooting guide to resolve issues with unable to install Windows 10/11 on M.2.

An M.2 SSD is a solid-state drive that can replace the mSATA interface. It's compact, similar in size to a USB memory stick, and offers the added benefits of faster read speeds and higher capacity, making it widely adopted.

If you're looking to upgrade your computer's storage drive, swapping out your hard drive or SATA SSD for an M.2 NVMe SSD is a wise option. Tools Software will guide you through two professional methods to install Windows 10 on an M.2 SSD and boot from the new M.2 SSD.

View the Necessary Information for Installing Windows 10 on an M.2 SSD:

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For other solutions to install Windows without a product key, please refer to the following article:

How to Install Windows 10 Without Product Key

You can install Windows 10 without a product key by downloading the Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft. This page provides a comprehensive guide on how to do it.

How to Install Windows 10 on an M.2 SSD

Installing Windows 10 on an M.2 SSD This process isn't complicated. Before beginning, you need to ensure or set up your computer to recognize the necessary drive:

Your computer must support the M.2 standard and meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. The NTFS file system is needed to format the drive, making it recognizable when connected to the computer. If it's a new M.2 drive, initialize the SSD with GPT; otherwise, you may encounter the issue where Windows 10 won't install on the SSD. Remove the old drive, connect the M.2 SSD to the PC, and verify that it is detected.

There are two ways to install an M.2 SSD on Windows 10:

1️⃣Method 1: Migrate Windows 10 OS to an M.2 SSD

2️⃣Method 2: Burn ISO to M.2 SSD and Install Windows

Both methods can assist you in successfully installing Windows 10. Here's a detailed explanation of each method:

< strong > Read Also: < /strong > < a href = "/partition-master/install-windows-10-on-new-pc-without-os.html" > Install Windows 10 on New PC Without Operating System < /a >

Method 1: Migrate Windows 10 OS to an M.2 SSD

Migrating the Windows OS provides a simpler and more convenient method. The Partition Master Tool offers an "OS Migration" feature to help you successfully transfer the Windows operating system partition, along with its programs and data, to another disk. This saves you both steps and time.

Whether you want to migrate a system or clone a partition, this program provides a fast and safe solution:

< strong >Steps to migrate OS to HDD/SSD:

• Launch tools Partition Master and choose "Clone" from the left menu.
• Tick "Migrate OS" and click "Next".
• Select the SSD or HDD as the destination disk and click "Next".
• Warning: Data and partitions on the target disk will be erased. Ensure you've backed up crucial data beforehand. If not, do so now.
• Click "Yes" afterwards.
• Preview the layout of your target disk, then click "Start" to initiate the OS migration to a new disk.

After this, click "Reboot Now" or "Done" to choose whether you want to restart the computer from the new disk immediately.

"Reboot Now" means to apply the changes immediately, whereas "Done" means you'll need to restart your computer manually at a later time.

Notes: The OS migration operation will delete and remove existing partitions and data on your target disk if there isn't enough unallocated space on it. If you have important data stored there, back it up to an external hard drive beforehand.

Upon completion of the cloning process, Partition Master will prompt you to set the M.2 drive as a boot disk. Alternatively, you can configure this setting later in the BIOS.

Other scenarios where you might use the "Clone" feature in Partition Master tool:

Method 2: Burn ISO to M.2 SSD and Install Windows This method involves creating an ISO image on an M.2 Solid State Drive (SSD) and then using it to install the Windows operating system. Here's a step-by-step guide: 1. **Download the Windows ISO**: Visit the official Microsoft website and download the Windows ISO file you wish to install. 2. **Get an ISO burning tool**: You'll need software to write the ISO to the M.2 SSD. Popular options include Rufus, Etcher, or Windows' built-in Disk Management tool. 3. **Connect the M.2 SSD**: Insert the M.2 SSD into your computer's M.2 slot. Make sure it's compatible with your motherboard. 4. **Prepare the SSD**: If the SSD has any data, back it up, and then format it to create a blank slate for the ISO. 5. **Burn the ISO**: Launch the burning tool and select your connected M.2 SSD as the target drive. Choose the "Write ISO Image" option, browse for the downloaded Windows ISO, and begin the burning process. 6. **Boot from the M.2 SSD**: Update your computer's BIOS or UEFI settings to boot from the M.2 SSD. This typically involves entering the BIOS during startup (check your motherboard manual for specific keys), selecting the boot device priority, and moving the M.2 SSD to the top. 7. **Install Windows**: Your computer should now boot from the M.2 SSD with the Windows installation media. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows on your system. 8. **Complete the Setup**: After the installation is complete, remove the M.2 SSD if it was only used for installation purposes, or continue using it as your primary storage drive. Remember to be cautious while handling hardware and modifying system settings to avoid data loss or damage.

If you've downloaded the Windows ISO file, you can also install Windows 10 by burning the ISO file to a USB drive. You can install Windows 10 on an M.2 SSD using the Windows Media Creation Tool or third-party software.

To save the process and increase the success rate, we recommend using the Burn ISO feature provided by Partition Master to burn the Windows installation file onto the USB. This way, you can use the burned USB to install the system on your Windows computer.

Stage 1. Burn ISO to USB and Create Installation Media This is the first stage of the process, which involves creating a bootable USB drive from an ISO image file. This is typically done to prepare installation media for operating systems or other software. Here's a brief explanation in English: 1. **Download the ISO File:** Start by obtaining the ISO file for the desired software or operating system from its official website or a reliable source. 2. **Get a USB Drive:** You'll need a USB flash drive with sufficient capacity to hold the ISO file (usually 4GB or more). 3. **Choose a Burning Tool:** Select a reliable software tool to burn the ISO to USB. Some popular options include Rufus (Windows), BalenaEtcher (multi-platform), or Disk Utility (Mac OS). 4. **Connect the USB Drive:** Plug the USB drive into your computer's USB port. 5. **Open the Burning Tool:** Launch the software you've chosen. 6. **Select the ISO and USB Drive:** In the tool's interface, choose the ISO file you downloaded and the USB drive you want to use. 7. **Start the Process:** Click on the appropriate button to start the burning process. The tool will format the USB drive and copy the contents of the ISO file onto it. 8. **Wait for Completion:** Be patient as this process may take some time depending on the size of the ISO file and the speed of your USB drive. 9. **Verify the Bootable USB:** Once complete, ensure the USB drive is bootable by checking its settings in your computer's BIOS or UEFI configuration. Now, you have a bootable USB installation media ready to be used for installing the software or operating system on a target device.

Burning ISO to USB enables you to transfer the operating system or install/reinstall the system. With this professional and free ISO burner, you can easily burn ISO files:

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant and go to the Bootable Media section. Click "Burn ISO" and click "Next".

Step 2. Choose the ISO file you downloaded on your computer and click "Open."

Step 3. Click "Next" and choose the targeted USB as the destination, then click "Burn" to perform the operation.

Other situations to use the "Burn ISO" feature of Partition Master tools:

Stage 2: Successfully Install Windows 10 on M.2 SSD

After burning the Windows 10 ISO, please insert the bootable USB drive into the computer that needs an M.2 SSD. Follow these steps to proceed with the system installation:

Step 1. Change the BIOS boot order so the computer boots from the installation media.

Step 2. Restart the computer, go to Windows Setup, choose your language and other options, and click "Install now."

Step 3. Enter or skip the license key.

Step 4. Choose "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)." Then, select the M.2 SSD as the installation location. The installation process will commence.

Read Also: Install Windows 10 on Second Hard Drive, Windows 11 Won't Install from USB

Incidentally, you can also use Windows Creation Media to create the bootable USB and then install Windows from it. If you think we've offered a simpler method, feel free to share it with friends who might need it.

Bonus Tip: Fix Can't Install Windows 10 on M.2 SSD (Additional tip: Solve the issue of unable to install Windows 10 on an M.2 SSD)

This article has presented two efficient solutions to assist you in installing Windows 10/11 on an M.2 SSD. We have come across forum users who encounter issues when attempting to install Windows 10 manually, and they experience problems like "Windows 10 won't install on SSD":

No worries, we've got you covered with some possible reasons and quick fixes:

Here are the translations for the provided text:
• BIOS Misconfiguration: Incorrect BIOS settings or storage controller mode (AHCI or RAID) might prevent the installation of Windows 10. Please verify the BIOS configuration and ensure the proper M.2 SSD is detected.
• Secure Boot Issue: Secure Boot might block the installation of Windows 10 on M.2 to maintain OS integrity. Try disabling Secure Boot.
• Hardware Incompatibility: Older motherboards or systems might lack firmware updates. Remove incompatible hardware or update the NVMe driver to the latest version.
• Incorrect Windows Version: Downloading the wrong ISO file could result in being unable to burn the ISO to USB. Please use the appropriate tool and download the correct version.

If you're unable to manually install Windows 10 on an M.2 SSD, you can try using a tool like Partition Master to clone the Windows operating system to another drive without losing any data.

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Conclusion

Do you know how to install Windows 10 on an M.2 SSD? With the guidance provided in this article, you'll be able to successfully install Windows 10 or 11 on an M.2 SSD, thus experiencing faster boot times and improved performance! Throughout this process, the utility Partition Master offers a swift and efficient solution. By downloading this tool, you'll have access to more advanced features that can assist you in tackling more complex issues.

Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Windows 10 on an M.2 SSD

Do you have any other queries concerning the installation of Windows 10? If yes, please proceed with reading. We've addressed some comprehensive questions as well.

1. Why wasn't my M.2 SSD detected during the Windows 10 installation?

If your M.2 SSD is not detected during the installation process, it could be due to a BIOS configuration issue or an incompatibility with the format of the M.2 SSD. To resolve this, please review your BIOS settings and ensure that the M.2 SSD is enabled and correctly listed in the boot order. Alternatively, you can attempt to reformat the drive using Diskpart utility or third-party tools like Partition Master.

You can refer to this article for the process to install Windows on an NVMe SSD. Or, you can follow the steps below:

Stage 2. Clone the Windows OS to the NVMe SSD using the Partition Master tool.

Stage 3. Install the NVMe SSD as a boot drive on the new computer.

3. How to initialize an M.2 SSD?

Windows offers several simple ways to initialize SSDs for use with Windows. If you're using Disk Management, follow these steps:

Step 1. You can access "Disk Management" by right-clicking the Windows icon.

Step 2. Select and hold the disk you wish to initialize, then choose "Initialize Disk."