Can I Replace M.2 SSD Without Reinstalling Windows?

Best Answered by

Jean· Answered on Aug 22, 2024

Yes, you can replace an M.2 SSD without reinstalling Windows using disk cloning software.

This helps migrate the entire disk to a new solid-state drive without reinstalling the OS, applications, files, and everything from scratch. To swap M.2 SSD in PC without Windows reinstallation:

Step 1. Install or connect the new SSD to your computer.

If the motherboard has two or more M. 2 slots, install the new hard drive directly into your PC. If you want to clone an M.2 SSD with only one slot, prepare an external USB to an M.2 SSD adapter and an extra USB cable to connect the new SSD to your computer.

Step 2. Choose a reliable SSD cloning tool to start cloning.

Windows does not have a built-in cloning tool. To upgrade M. 2 SSD without reinstalling the OS, you need robust and easy-to-use cloning software like EaseUS Disk Copy.

• Install and launch EaseUS Disk Copy on your computer.
• Go to Disk Mode from the left panel, select the old M.2 SSD as the source drive, and choose the new disk as the target drive.
• You can adjust the layout of the destination SSD by selecting Autofit the disk, Copy as the source, or Edit disk layout.
• Click Continue in the notification popup. (Back up files on the target drive if needed. The cloning process will erase all data on it.)
• Click Proceed to initiate cloning. Make sure the cloning process is not interrupted.

Step 3. Remove the old M.2 SSD and install the new drive (optional).

This step applies to situations where your computer has only one slot, or you don't want to install the old M.2 SSD into your PC.

• Shut down your PC, and it disconnects the power cable.
• Open the desktop case with a screwdriver.
• Remove the old M.2 SSD.
• Install the new cloned drive. (For only one slot)
• Close the backup cover and reconnect all cables properly.

Step 4. Set the new cloned disk as the boot drive.

• Restart your computer.
• Press the F2/F8/Del keys to enter the BIOS settings.
• Go to the boot settings and give the new cloned drive a boot priority.
• Save the changes and exit the BIOS settings.
• Your computer will boot from the cloned drive automatically.

🔗Related Article: How to Clone M.2 SATA to M.2 NVMe SSD