Sony VAIO Laptop SSD Upgrade: Boost Performance & Extend Lifespan

Want to replace HDD with SSD in a Sony VAIO laptop? Learn how to upgrade Sony VAIO laptop hard drive to SSD without reinstalling Windows or losing data with the best disk cloning software, EaseUS Disk Copy.

If you want to upgrade your Sony VAIO laptop for better performance, you can upgrade the hard drive to an SSD or replace the old SSD with a larger one, as the post from Tom's Hardware reads.

Want to replace HDD to SSD in Sony VAIO laptop?

I have a Sony VAIO SVE15133CN (year-2012-13) with an Intel i3-3120M @2.50GHz processor. The laptop is very slow, so I want to replace the HDD with an SSD, but I don't know which SSD will be supported by my laptop, or what the maximum size is. ---from Tom's Hardware

So, is it possible to perform a Sony VAIO laptop SSD upgrade? Yes, most Sony VAIO laptops can be upgraded. Whether you want to perform an SSD replacement due to hard disk failure or for upgrading storage, replacing the traditional hard disk drive with a solid-state drive is one of the most effective and economical ways to boost performance and reduce laptop boot times.

What to Prepare for Sony VAIO Hard Drive Upgrade

You can upgrade your Sony VAIO laptop from HDD to SSD or from SSD to a larger SSD, but if you do not want to reinstall Windows from scratch or lose your data, disk cloning will be the easiest and most effective way. Cloning from the old disk to the new one can transfer all data, including OS and personal files, from one disk to another without reinstalling the OS or losing data.

Here is what you must do before upgrading a Sony VAIO series laptop.

➡️A larger SSD compatible with the old disk

You must buy an SSD with the right storage capacity, interface, and form factor. Typically, any 2,5" SATA SSD should work with your device. As for the best SSD for Sony VAIO laptops, choose Kingston KC600 2.5-inch SSD, Samsung 870 EVO SATA 2.5 SSD, WD Blu SATA SSD, or Crucial MX500.

➡️Perform a surface test of the new SSD

When you get a new SSD, you'd better run a surface test to verify its health condition. Even some new hard drives will still contain bad sectors, which can block disk cloning, and any information written to the bad sector is usually lost.

➡️Clean up the source/old hard drive

You can clean up your old drive before transferring Windows and data to another drive, including removing seldom-used programs, duplicate files, corrupted files, caches, etc, thus reducing OS and data migration time.

➡️Prepare a connection cable and a screwdriver

Most Sony VAIO laptops have only one disk bay, so you cannot install the new SSD internally. You will need a USB-to-SATA cable or an external disk enclosure to connect the new SSD to your laptop for data transfer. In addition, you also need things like a screwdriver and pry tools to open the laptop's back casing for swapping hard drives.

➡️Download professional disk cloning software

You must use third-party disk cloning software to transfer all data, including Windows, data, programs, and settings, as Windows lacks cloning features. To clone your existing hard disk to an SSD without reinstalling Windows or losing data, EaseUS Disk Copy is a fantastic tool.

EaseUS Disk Copy is a safe and secure cloning program for Windows PC that allows you to clone a hard drive from different manufacturers. It lets you move Windows to another drive without reinstalling or losing data and clone a larger HDD to a smaller SSD. It has Disk Mode, System Mode, and Partition Mode to meet your diverse cloning needs.

If you want an easy yet powerful tool to help you replace a hard drive without losing data, download EaseUS disk cloning software on your PC now!

Sony VAIO SSD Upgrade Without Reinstalling Windows

After downloading Disk Copy, let's dive into the complete Sony VAIO laptop SSD upgrade guide without losing files, settings, and applications. It includes 5 parts: connecting the new SSD to the laptop, migrating data and Windows, replacing the old disk with the SSD, booting from the cloned SSD, and testing data/OS migration.

Part 1. Connect New SSD to Sony VAIO Laptop

Connect your new SSD to your laptop via a SATA-to-USB adapter or an external drive enclosure for data and OS migration.

Once connected, ensure the laptop can recognize the new SSD in Disk Management (press Win + R and select Disk Management). If prompted, initialize the new SSD as GPT or MBR style to match your existing hard drive's partition style.

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Part 2. Migrate Everything from Old Drive to SSD

Now, you can use EaseUS Disk Copy to clone your existing hard drive to the new SSD to migrate all data, including Windows and programs.

Get this powerful disk cloning software to transfer everything from one disk to another

Part 3. Replace Old Drive with Cloned SSD

Now that everything is transferred to the new SSD, it's time to replace Sony VAIO old drive with SSD physically.

Step 1. Turn off your Sony VAIO laptop and unplug all power sources. (If the battery is detachable, remove it.)

Step 2. Use a screwdriver to open the laptop's bottom panel/back case and locate the hard drive bay.

Step 3. Disconnect and remove the old hard drive, install the cloned SSD into the same slot, and secure it.

Here is more detailed information about replacing an old disk with a new one.

Part 4. Boot Sony VAIO Laptop from New SSD

After replacing hard drives, you need to boot your Sony VAIO laptop from the new drive in BIOS or UEFI settings.

Step 1. Restart the laptop and press a key (F2, F12, Del, or Esc) to access the BIOS setup screen.

Step 2. Navigate to the Boot section using the arrow key.

Step 3. Top the new SSD using the arrow key.

Step 4. Press Yes to save changes and exit the BIOS.

Step 5. Reboot the laptop, and it will boot from the new SSD.

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Part 5. Test and Verify OS & Data Migration

When you clone OS to a new drive, the migration may raise network, configuration, interface, and compatibility issues. You can do the following to determine whether it is a successful migration. You can verify system files and data integrity, test functionality, test PC performance, and check activation.

1️⃣Verify System Files & Data Integrity.

1. Check Critical Directories:

Open File Explorer to confirm:

• User folders (Documents, Downloads, and Desktop) are intact.
• Installed apps are accessible.

2. Run System File Checker (SFC scan):

• Check for corrupted system files and repair.

2️⃣Test Functionality

1. Software and Drivers:

• Launch programs to ensure they work.
• Check whether all drivers are functional in Device Manager.

2. Peripherals:

• Test USB ports, external hard drives, and other hardware.

3. Network/Internet:

• Check Wi-Fi/Ethernet connectivity and test browsing.

3️⃣Test Performance

1. Boot Time:

• Compare boot times to see whether the new drive is faster.

2. Task Manager:

Open Task Manager (Press Win + X and select Task Manager) and check the Performance tab:

• Disk activity (ensure the new SSD is active).
• The CPU, Memory, and disk usage are normal.

4️⃣Check Windows Activation

• Go to Settings > System > Activation.
• Ensure Windows is activated(The hard drive changes seldom affect activation, but verify).

To Wrap Things Up

If your Sony VAIO laptop gets slower and slower over time and frequently runs into trouble? Maybe it is time for you to perform a Sony VAIO laptop SSD upgrade for better performance. This article presents the necessary preparations, the best disk cloning tool to move all data from a Sony VAIO hard drive to an SSD, and a step-by-step guide on SSD replacement.

EaseUS Disk Copy makes it simple and easy to upgrade to an SSD on a Sony VAIO laptop. Also, you can use it to replace a laptop HDD with an SSD for other computers like HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Dell, etc., without reinstalling the Windows OS and other installed programs or losing data. Just download and try it to upgrade your old laptop to an SSD.

FAQs on Upgrading Sony VAIO Laptop Hard Drive

1. How to make a Sony VAIO laptop faster?

The best option you have is to replace the hard drive with an SSD, which will get your old Sony VAIO running between 3 and 5 times faster in read and write speeds.

2. Can I just add an SSD to my laptop?

Yes, you can install an SSD in your laptop. Most modern laptops have a slot for a 2.5-inch SATA drive or an M. 2 slot for newer NVMe SSDs. Just ensure to check the compatibility and size requirements for your laptop model.

3. Is it worth upgrading old laptop to SSD?

Depending on the task, SSDs can be up to 10 times faster in write and read speeds than their HDD counterparts. Replacing a hard drive with an SSD is one of the best ways to dramatically improve your older PC's performance.

4. How to increase RAM in Sony VAIO laptop?

Some Sony Vaio laptops have memory modules installed (soldered) on the motherboard. These memory modules can't be removed or changed. Laptops with memory modules installed on the motherboard sometimes have a second memory slot that can be accessed, allowing you to upgrade the RAM.