How to Move Windows From SSD to M.2

Larissa updated on Jan 31, 2024 to Data Backup Questions Answered | How-to Articles

I recently bought a new M.2 SSD, and I need to move my Windows 10 operating system from the old SATA SSD to the new M.2 SSD. But I've never done it before, do you know how to do it quickly? Any good suggestions?

To move Windows OS from SSD to M.2 SSD, you need to finish the following fours steps:

1. Make a backup of your SSD in advance.

This preparation step ensures the safety of your data in case something goes wrong during the cloning process. You can use backup software to save data on Cloud or an external hard drive.

2. Convert your SSD from MBR to GPT.

If your current drive is MBR partitioned, you need to convert MBR to GPT, as the M.2 SSD will only work if it is GPT. To do this, use a disk management tool like EaseUS Partition Master to do the conversion.

3. Change the Boot Mode from Legacy BIOS to UEFI.

When your SSD is GPT partitioned, you need to convert your PC's boot mode to UEFI:

  • Restart your Windows PC, and press the assigned key when you notice the message: Press [key] to enter setup.
  • Choose "Boot" from the top menu bar in the BIOS Setup Utility, then select the UEFI Boot Mode field and use the "+/-" keys to change the setting to UEFI.
  • Press the F10 key to save the change and exit.

4. Move Windows OS from SSD to M.2 SSD with Cloning Tool

This is the essential step. If you haven't done it before, a cloning program will help you do it easily. EaseUS Todo Backup is an excellent Windows cloning utility. With it, you can clone disks or partitions from one location to another quickly and securely. It supports cloning between different disks, including HDD to SSD, SSD to M.2 SSD, etc. It only requires two simple steps:

  • Launch EaseUS Todo Backup > Tools > System Clone.
  • Choose the destination M.2 SSD, and click "Next" to start.

EaseUS Todo Backup will resize the partition automatically of your new M.2 SSD during the cloning procedure. After cloning, you need to turn off the PC and replace the SSD with the new M.2 SSD. Now, you can use the M.2 SSD as the system disk and enjoy faster operation speed.

Related Article: Migrate OS from SSD to M.2 SSD with M.2 SSD Clone Software