Can I Upgrade SSD to M.2 Without Reinstalling OS? Yes, Here's Your Guide

Are you aware of the types of SSD drives in your computer? Generally, we classify SSDs based on their connection types. Among them, PCIe, U.2, mSATA, SATA Express, SATA, and M.2 are the most common SSD interfaces widely adopted by users and computer manufacturers worldwide.

So, should you upgrade from an SSD to an M.2 SSD, and how would you do it? Follow this guide to learn how to enhance your computer by transferring its data and operating system from an SSD to an M.2 SSD now.

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Should I Upgrade from SSD to M.2?
SSD vs M.2 SSD, Which Is Better?
How Do I Upgrade My SSD to M.2? [Complete Guide]
Extended Reading: M.2 vs NVMe SSD, Which to Choose

1. Should I Upgrade from an SSD to an M.2 Drive?

Indeed, as long as your computer isn't too old physically, has an M.2 interface connector, and you have the budget for an M.2 SSD, you should upgrade to an M.2 SSD.

< strong > When should you upgrade SSD to M.2? Let's find out:

• Your computer runs slowly.
• You aim to speed up the operating system and reduce the launch time for installed programs and applications.
• You wish to upgrade your gaming PC for a better gaming performance.
• You intend to separate the OS drive from the data drive,迁移操作系统至M.2 SSD.

Related Reading: How to Replace an M.2 SSD in a PC

2. SSD vs M.2 SSD: Which One is Better?

Should I upgrade to an M.2 SSD? Yes, definitely! This is because M.2 SSDs are much faster than regular SSDs. Share this article to help others understand the differences between M.2 SSDs and other types of SSDs.

Here's a comparison table encompassing all the fundamental information about SATA SSD and M.2 SSD, let's take a look:

In short, M.2 SSDs are roughly 2-2.5 times faster than SATA SSDs. Although an M.2 SSD might be more expensive than a SATA SSD with the same storage capacity, its exceptional performance in data reading and writing makes it worth the cost.

If you wish to know the exact read and write speeds of M.2 or SATA SSDs, you can examine their performance using professional benchmarking tools.

3. How to Upgrade Your SSD to M.2? [Comprehensive Guide]

Now, you might be wondering how to move Windows 10 from SSD to M.2 or how to completely replace the old SSD with a new M.2 drive. Follow this comprehensive guide, and you'll accomplish the task yourself.

#1. Check If Your PC Has an M.2 Slot
#2. Choose the Best M.2 SSD of 2024
#3. Install the M.2 SSD in Your Computer
#4. Initialize the M.2 SSD
#5.1. Full Guide to Upgrade to M.2 SSD - Clone SSD to M.2
#5.2. Guide to Migrate OS (Windows 10) to M.2 SSD - Move OS from SSD to M.2
#6. Set Up the New M.2 SSD and Make It Bootable

#1. Check If Your PC Supports an M.2 Slot

Step 1. Open your computer or laptop case.

Step 2. Check if your computer supports an M.2 slot: PCIe.

On a desktop, if the SSD interface is labeled as SATA/PCIe, it indicates that you can install an M.2 SSD in your computer.

On a laptop, you can clearly see the type of SSD slot. Most modern laptops typically have one or two M.2 slots.

#2. Choose the Best M.2 SSD in 2024

Here are two crucial factors to consider when choosing or buying an M.2 SSD:

• Price: Your budget will determine the brand and storage capacity of the M.2 SSD you can get.
• Storage Capacity: When upgrading to an SSD, your new M.2's storage should be equal to or larger than your old SSD's capacity (500GB and 1TB are the most common M.2 SSD capacities).

Here is a list of the best M.2 SSDs recommended by many professionals:

• Samsung 980 Pro 1TB M.2 NVMe Gen4 Solid-State Drive — $199.99
• WD_BLACK SN850 500GB M.2 NVMe Solid-State Drive — $119.99
• WD_BLACK SN750 500GB M.2 NVMe Solid-State Drive — $69.99
• Sabrent Rocket 1TB M.2 NVMe Gen4 Solid-State Drive — $159.98

#3. Install M.2 SSD on Your Computer

Step 1. Open the computer or laptop case using a screwdriver.

Step 2. Slide the M.2 SSD into the SSD slot and secure it with the screw.

Step 3. Finalize and cover the computer case.

#4. Initialize the M.2 SSD

To upgrade from an SSD to an M.2 SSD, you'll need to initialize the new disk, transfer data, applications, and programs to it. For this process, you'll require a disk cloning utility to assist you.

Here, a reliable partition manager software - tools Partition Master with its comprehensive disk upgrade feature allows you to clone everything from the source SSD to the new M.2 SSD with just a few simple clicks:

A new M.2 SSD won't appear until you initialize it using the Partition Master tool. Follow these steps:

Step 1. Launch tools Partition Master and go to Partition Manager.

Step 2. Right-click on the target disk - either HDD or SSD, and choose "Initialize to MBR" or "Initialize to GPT." Click "Execute Task" and then "Apply" to save the alterations.

0:00-0:18 Initialize to MBR; 0:19-0:44 Initialize to GPT;

#5.1. Guide to Completely Upgrade SSD to M.2 - Clone SSD to M.2

Step 1. Select the source disk.

1. Click "Clone" from the left menu. Select "Clone OS Disk" or "Clone Data Disk" and click "Next".
2. Select the source disk and click "Next".

Step 2. Select the target disk.

• Select the desired HDD/SSD as your destination and click "Next" to proceed.
• Read the warning message and confirm by clicking the "Yes" button.

Step 3. View the disk layout and edit the target disk partition size.

Then click “Continue” when the program warns it will erase all data on the target disk. (If you have valuable data on the target disk, back it up beforehand.)

You can choose "Autofit the disk", "Clone as source", or "Edit disk layout" to customize your disk arrangement. (Select the last option if you want to allocate more space to the C drive.)

Step 4. Click "Start" to begin the disk cloning process.

If you prefer to move the Windows OS and installed games from the C drive to the M.2 disk, try the next guide.

#5.2. Guide to Migrate OS (Windows 10) to M.2 SSD - Transfer OS from SSD to M.2 This guide will walk you through the steps to migrate your operating system (OS), specifically Windows 10, from a standard SSD to an M.2 SSD. Here's a step-by-step process: 1. **Backup Important Data**: Before beginning any migration process, ensure that you have backed up all crucial files and data on your current SSD to an external storage device or cloud service. 2. **Acquire Tools**: You will need the following: - A new M.2 SSD - A computer with an available M.2 slot - Software for cloning the OS (e.g., Clonezilla, Macrium Reflect, or Windows' built-in "Create a system image" feature) 3. **Prepare the M.2 SSD**: - Install the M.2 SSD into your computer's designated slot. - Make sure it is properly seated and securely connected. 4. **Create a System Image (Optional)**: - If you prefer not to use third-party software, you can create a system image in Windows 10: - Go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Backup" > "More options" > "Create a system image". - Follow the prompts to save the image to an external drive. 5. **Clone the OS Using Third-Party Software**: - Download and install your chosen cloning software (e.g., Clonezilla or Macrium Reflect). - Launch the software and select the option to clone your existing SSD to the M.2 SSD. - Follow the on-screen instructions, ensuring that you select the correct source (current SSD) and target (M.2 SSD). 6. **Verify Cloning Process**: - Once the cloning is complete, check the M.2 SSD to ensure that the files and partitions are identical to the original SSD. 7. **Boot from the New M.2 SSD**: - Change the boot order in your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings to prioritize the M.2 SSD. - Save and exit the BIOS, then restart your computer. 8. **Finalize the Migration**: - If the computer boots successfully from the M.2 SSD, you can now remove the old SSD or use it for additional storage. - Update the SSD driver if necessary to ensure optimal performance. 9. **Restore System Image (if used)**: - If you created a system image, boot from the installation media, and choose the "Repair your computer" option. - Select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "System Image Recovery", and follow the prompts to restore from the external drive. Remember, always exercise caution when dealing with system migrations, and ensure you have backups of important data before proceeding.

If you只想将当前SSD上的操作系统、已安装的游戏和重要应用程序转移到新的M.2 SSD，按照以下指南进行操作：

Steps to migrate the operating system to HDD/SSD:

1. Run tools Partition Master and choose "Clone" from the left menu. 2. Check "Migrate OS" and click "Next". 3. Select the SSD or HDD as the destination disk and click "Next". 4. Warning: The data and partitions on the target disk will be erased. Make sure you have backed up important data beforehand. If not, do so now. 5. Click "Yes". 6. Preview the layout of the target disk, then click "Start" to begin migrating your operating system to the 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" indicates that you need to restart the computer manually at a later time.

Important: When there's insufficient unallocated space on the target disk, migrating the OS to SSD or HDD will delete and remove existing partitions and data. If you have important data stored on it, back it up to an external hard drive beforehand.

#6. Set Up New M.2 and Make It Bootable

If you've replaced the OS drive, ensure you follow these steps to set the new M.2 SSD as the boot drive in BIOS:

Step 1. Restart your PC and press F2, F8, F11, or Del to enter BIOS.

Step 2. Go to the Boot menu, change the boot order, and set the new M.2 SSD as the boot drive.

If you'd like a comprehensive guide on installing Windows 10 on an M.2 SSD, please click the link:

How to Install Windows 10 on M.2 SSD

This guide offers a comprehensive solution for installing Windows 10 on an M.2 SSD. You'll find two efficient methods to install Windows 10 on M.2 without data loss.

Extended Reading: M.2 vs NVMe SSD, Which to Choose

Aside from upgrading to an M.2 SSD, some users might be curious about the differences between M.2 and NVMe SSDs. So, when faced with both options, which one should you select? The following table compares M.2 and NVMe SSDs to help you make a decision:

As you can see, NVMe is significantly faster than the M.2 SSD in terms of data transfer. So which one should you choose? Here's our recommendation:

• If you have sufficient budget and your PC supports the NVMe interface, purchase an NVMe SSD.
• If your computer only has an M.2 slot, opt for an M.2 SSD.

"Upgrading from an SSD to an M.2 SSD is feasible. Follow these steps to enhance your computer's performance now."

On this page, we have discussed what an M.2 SSD is and the entire process of upgrading to an M.2 SSD. If you are seeking a guide to enhance your computer's storage, follow this page to boost your computer's performance by replacing the OS drive with an M.2 SSD right away.

For a dependable SSD to M.2 SSD upgrade utility, trust the assistance of AOMEI Partition Assistant.