How to Clone M.2 SSD to Larger M.2 SSD in Windows
M.2 SSDs are faster so that many people tend to use M.2 SSD to run Windows OS on the computer even it is more expensive than 2.5 inch SSDs. If you are using the M.2 SSD with the small storage capacity, it is easy to get the low disk space warnings. Once the disk is run out of space, it is better for you to get a larger SSD and move everything to it to get more storage space and shorter boot time for the faster and smoother user experience.
How to Clone M.2 SSD to another Larger M.2 SSD in Windows 10/8/7
SSD disk cloning software plays an essential role in the M.2 SSD cloning process. Without powerful SSD cloning software, it is impossible to clone M.2 SSD to another SSD and make it bootable. iSunshare CloneGo is introduced here to act as the SSD to SSD cloning software which helps you to finish the cloning within simple steps no matter the M.2 SSD is SATA based or PCIe-based with NVMe support.
Step 1: Finish the installation of the larger M.2 SSD on your computer.
Yes, you need to buy a larger M.2 SSD which is compatible with your computer motherboard in advance.
For a Windows laptop:
1. Power off the laptop and then unscrew the back cover of your laptop.
2. Find the M.2 slot and remove the screw.
3. Put your M.2 SSD into the slot and screw the SSD drive in.
4. Screw the back over properly and then power on the laptop.
For Windows desktop computer:
1. Power off the computer and then open the computer box.
2. Locate the M.2 connector which is usually labeled with “PCIe”.
3. Remove the mounting screw for your M.2 Slot.
4. Insert your M.2 SSD into its slot correctly and then secure the M.2 SSD with mounting screw.
5. Make the computer box closed and then start your computer.
What to do if there is only one M.2 slot?
Well, if there is only one M.2 slot on the computer, you can not install the larger M.2 SSD into the computer. At this time, you may need the SATA to USB adapter to build the connection between your computer and the target SSD. Or for the NVMe SSD, you need an additional M.2 PCIe connector. In this way, your target SSD is regarded as the external hard drive. After the cloning, you can replace the original M.2 SSD with the larger M.2 SSD and the boot the computer from the larger SSD.
Step 2: Run your computer and initialize the larger M.2 SSD
After the target M.2 SSD is installed on the computer, you can start your Windows and then open Disk Management to initialize the target SSD. Also, allocate a simple volume to the target M.2 SSD.
Step 3: Clone M.2 SSD to larger M.2 SSD with iSunshare CloneGo.
iSunshare CloneGo is the easy to use SSD to SSD cloning software for Windows users, which helps to clone the entire data from old hard disk to the new disk. You can free download to start the cloning.
1. Start iSunshare CloneGo and choose “Disk Clone” for the M.2 SSD cloning.
2. Choose your original M.2 SSD as the source disk.
3. Choose the larger M.2 SSD as the target disk. Here, you should be aware that cloning will format all data in the target SSD.
Optional: You can tick the After Finished setting so that the computer can shutdown/restart/hibernate after the cloning process is completed.
4. Have a double-check of your settings. If nothing is wrong, you can click the Start button. In no time, the small box appears to tell you the operation will erase all data in the target disk. Click Yes to proceed.
5. The cloning is successful. You can go to next step.
Step 4: Boot from the larger M.2 SSD
After the cloning process ends, you can restart the computer and make the computer boot from the larger M.2 SSD. If your computer has only one M.2 SSD, now it is time to take out the old M.2 SSD and insert the larger M.2 SSD. After that, the computer can be boot from the larger M.2 SSD.
If your computer supports two or more M.2 SSD, you need to restart the computer and repeatedly press the boot key (Del or F2/F12) to enter the BIOS. After that, you can change the boot order and set your larger SSD as the first boot option. In the end, you can save the settings and reboot the computer.
Step 5: Extend your partition with the unallocated space
When your computer is boot from the larger SSD successfully, you can access Disk Management. As you clone the M.2 SSD to the larger M.2 SSD, the larger M.2 SSD now has the identical volumes of the same size as the smaller one. For the faster Windows performance, you need to extend the partition with the unallocated space. Just right-click the partition in Disk Management and then select Extend Volume. Afterward, following the on-screen instruction to finish the extension.
Safely Clone M.2 SSD to Larger M.2 SSD in 4 Simple Steps
How to clone M.2 SSD to M.2 SSD safely in Windows 11,10, 8, 7? The best M.2 SSD cloner helps you clone to M.2 SSD without any issues and make the M.2 SSD bootable.
By Ivy / Updated on August 21, 2023
M.2 SSD, formerly known as Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF), compared with standard SATA SSD, has a smaller size, faster transfer speed, power-efficient, and high capacity (up to 8TB). As a result, it becomes an increasingly popular storage device, especially for game users, and more suited for modern ultraportable devices, such as laptops, Ultrabooks, and tablets.
But if your computer has a smaller M.2 SSD, you may need to clone M.2 SSD to a larger M.2 SSD due to insufficient space and low performance. It’s the easiest and fastest way to replace a hard drive without reinstalling Windows. This article will walk you through every step.
Can I Clone M.2 SSD to Larger M.2 SSD?
Hi all, currently I have my OS on my old M.2 SSD and games/other files spread across some other HDDs. I’d like to remove the need for HDDs and simply have a new M.2 SSD with my OS on, and a SATA SSD for my games/other files. What is the easiest way to clone M.2 SSD to larger M.2 SSD?
— Question from Reddit
The answer is YES, you can clone M.2 SSD to a larger M.2 SSD and boot it up successfully as long as you are well-prepared and use reliable disk cloning software to perform the process. Don’t worry about it much and I’ll show you everything about cloning M.2 SSD.
Preparations for Cloning M.2 SSD to Larger M.2 SSD
Cloning M.2 SSD to a larger M.2 SSD usually offers users significantly more space and boosts computer performance, such as short boot time. But before that, you need to make some preparations.
1. Check your disk slot
Open your computer case with a screwdriver and check the M.2 SSD slot number and types. Usually, most M.2 SSD uses SATA or PCIe interfaces.
2. Get a right M.2 SSD
New M.2 SSD requires the same length as the SSD slot. The capacity is double or triple that of your smaller M.2 SSD. Remember to purchase one M.2 enclosure or adapter if your computer only has one M.2 slot.
3. Install New M.2 SSD
You need to disconnect the battery or cut off the power supply before installing the new M.2 SSD disk. Here are two different situations:
Situation 1: For a laptop or desktop with only one slot: Put your M.2 SSD into M.2 enclosure or connect it using M.2 adapter. Then, connect the other side to your computer and restart it.
Situation 2: For a computer with two M.2 SSD slots:
��On a laptop, open M.2 slot, slide the M.2 SSD into the slot, fix the SSD, and put the case back.
�� On a desktop, open the host cover and find the M.2 connector (labeled with SATA/PCIe). Then, slide your M.2 SSD into the slot and screw it tightly.
4. Initial M.2 SSD in Disk Management
Before writing any data to the new SSD, it needs to be initialized. You can choose to format M.2 SSD with MBR or GPT partition style, depending on the disk type of your smaller SSD.
- Type diskmgmt.msc in the search box and select Run as administrator.
- Locate and right-click the smaller M.2 SSD and select Properties. Then, check if it is MBR or GPT.
- Then, right-click larger M.2 SSD and select Initialize Disk.
- Select MBR or GPT disk partition style and click OK. Note it must be the same as your smaller SSD.
Best M.2 SSD Cloner — AOMEI Backupper
Whether you want to clone M.2 SATA SSD or clone M.2 PCIe SSD, specialist M.2 SSD cloner — AOMEI Backupper Professional will do you a big favor and ensure a secure boot.
- Clone smaller M.2 SSD including Windows OS, installed programs, personal files, etc. to a larger SSD without reinstalling Windows.
- Its Edit Partitions feature supports resizing the larger M.2 SSD to ensure it shows full capacity.
- Its SSD Alignment feature is able to accelerate and improve the overall performance of M.2 SSDs.
- Clone SSD with different sizes, such as 250GB, 50GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, etc.
- Clone all brands of M.2 SSD, such as Samsung, Crucial, SanDisk, WD, etc.
AOMEI Backupper Professional has a 30-day free trial. The Clone features in the free trial can only be demonstrated, please upgrade to the full edition.
Step-by-Step Guide to Clone SSD to M.2 SSD in Windows 11
Here is the step-by-step guide to safely clone SSD to M.2 SSD in Windows 11/10/8/7. Also, you can use it to move Windows 10/11 from HDD to M.2 SSD and other operating systems.
★ Note: If there is any data on the destination M.2 disk, it will be erased during the cloning process. Please backup files before the M.2 SSD cloning.
Video tutorial:
Graphic Tutorial:
Step 1. Run best M.2 SSD cloner — AOMEI Backupper Professional. Select Clone > Disk Clone.
To move the operating system to a new M.2 SSD, select the System Clone feature instead.
Step 2. Select the smaller M.2 SSD as the source disk and hit Next to continue.
Step 3. Choose the larger M.2 SSD as the target disk, and then press Next to continue.
Step 4. Click Edit Partitions and select Add unused space to all partitions or Add unused space to all partitions. Both of them help larger M.2 SSD show full capacity.
- Copy without resizing partitions: don’t check this option if you are cloning smaller disk to larger disk, or there will be unallocated space left. If there is unallocated space left, you could merge unallocated space to C drive or other existing partitions, or even create a new partition to store data separately.
- Add unused space to all partitions: it’s selected by default to help you make full use of storage space on the larger destination drive.
- Manually adjust partition size: you can resize each partition based on your needs.
- Convert the destination disk from MBR/GPT to GPT/MBR: if you are cloning MBR disk to GPT disk or vice versa, you can use this option to make the two disks have the same partition style.
Step 5. Tick SSD Alignment to speed up for M.2 SSD, and then press Start Clone to safely clone M.2 SSD to larger M.2 SSD in Windows 11. You can also use it in Windows 10, 8, 7, etc.
The Sector by sector clone feature enables you to clone all the sectors (blocks) on the source M.2 SSD even if it’s a blank or bad sector and takes longer. So don’t check this option unless your disk is encrypted.
For server users using Windows Server 2003, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019 (including R2), SBS 2003, 2008, or 2011, you need to use AOMEI Backupper Server.
Usually, this only takes a small amount of time, but the more data on the source drive, the longer time it will take. Because the cloning time depends on the transfer speed of both M.2 SSD and data size of the source M.2 SSD drive.
��Tip on how to clone M.2 SSD with only one slot:
- Backup M.2 SSD with Disk Backup feature in AOMEI Backupper.
- Replace the smaller M.2 SSD with the larger one using a screwdriver.
- Select the disk backup and restore the image to the larger M. 2 SSD.
For detailed steps (with screenshot), please refer to how to upgrade laptop drive via backup and restore.
How to Boot from Cloned Larger M.2 SSD
After cloning M.2 to M.2, to boot from the cloned larger M.2 SSD correctly, do the following:
For the computer that has only one M.2 slot: shut down your computer, remove the old M.2 SSD, and replace it with the newly cloned larger M.2 SSD, boot from the cloned M.2 SSD.
For the computer that has more than one M.2 slot: Restart your computer and repeatedly press a certain key (usually F2, F10, F12, ESC, DEL, etc.) to enter BIOS or UEFI BIOS, change boot priority to the cloned larger M.2 drive.
Remember to replace the mounting screws to secure the M.2 SSD drive in your machine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cloning M.2 SSD
1. How do I clone NVMe SSD to another NVMe SSD?
Similar to cloning M2 to M2, you just need reliable disk cloning software that supports cloning NVMe SSD disk. AOMEI Backupper Professional is a great option.
2. Is M.2 faster than SATA SSD?
The answer is YES. Usually, the transfer speed of SATA SSD is up to 600MB/s while M.2 SSD may vary from 1000MB/s to 2000MB/s. If your SSD supports PCIe x2 bus, its transfer speed is around 1000MB/s. If your SSD supports PCIe x4 bus but does not use NVMe protocol, the transfer speed is about 1500MB/s. If it supports both PCIe X4 bus and NVMe Protocole, its transfer speed will be up to 2000MB/s.
3. Is NVMe and M.2 the same?
NVMe and M.2 are closely linked, but they are different. NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) is an interface protocol mainly used for M.2 form factor while M.2 is a newly modern type of internally mounted expansion card that directly connects to the motherboard using an M.2 connector slot
Summing Up
To clone M.2 SSD to M.2 SSD safely, you need to first check that the new M.2 SSD drive is compatible with your motherboard and carefully install the drive correctly. Next, use a powerful M.2 cloner like AOMEI Backupper Professional to clone the disk ensuring that it will boot without any issues.
As a matter of fact, this software is all-around SSD clone software, which allows you to clone all kinds of SSDs to another one, such as clone NVMe M.2 SSD, clone M.2 PCIe SSD, clone Windows 10 to NVMe SSD, clone SSD to Samsung M.2 SSD, etc.
Related Articles
Free Samsung Migration Software for Windows 11/10/8/7
You will get the best Samsung M.2 SSD migration software for Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 and learn how to clone hard drive with it step by step.
Best M.2 NVMe SSD Duplicator for Windows
Want to find an M.2 NVMe SSD duplicator for Windows 11/10/8/7? Read this article to find the best one. Whether you have one M.2 slot in your computer or more, you can copy M.2 NVMe SSD effortlessly.
Best Free M.2 SSD Cloner — AOMEI Backupper to Clone M2 SSD
You can try the best M.2 NVMe SSD cloner — AOMEI Backupper to clone M.2 SSD to larger M.2 SSD easily and boot from it successfully in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7.
Quick Guide on How to Clone SSD to M.2 SSD
M.2 SSD is a newer type of SSD. If it runs the NVMe protocol and uses the PCI-e channel, its transfer speed is significantly improved compared to the SSD running the AHCI protocol and using the SATA channel. Therefore, many users currently want to replace old hard drives with NVMe M.2 solid state drives to pursue higher data processing speeds. While replacing the hard disk, if you need to keep the data of the original hard disk, then cloning the hard disk to an NVMe M.2 SSD is a feasible solution.
What is M2 SSD?
M.2 SSD is a card-shaped hard disk divided into three sizes according to its standard: Type2280, Type2260, and Type2242.
NVMe M.2 SSD is a new generation of SSD devices, and its data processing capability is much higher than SSDs using the SATA3.0 interface. Generally, the SSD data writing speed of the SATA3.0 interface is 550MB/s, while the data processing speed of the NVMe M.2 SSD can reach 3300-3500MB/s. So now NVMe M.2 SSD is becoming increasingly popular, and its appearance significantly improves solid-state drives’ read and write performance.
It does not mean that M.2 SSDs are necessarily very advantageous. The speed of M.2 SSDs depends on their matching protocols and channels. The following is a comparison of the speeds of different types of SSDs.
| Hard drive type | Channel/bus | Upper layer protocol | Transfer speed |
| SATA | SATA | AHCI | 550MB/s |
| M.2 | SATA | AHCI | 550MB/s |
| M.2 | PCI-e | NVMe | 3300-3500MB/s |
If you purchase an M.2 solid-state drive, you can know which protocol the solid-state drive runs through the product information. If the M.2 SSD runs the NVMe protocol, NVMe will be marked on the product. If other words are displayed, such as SATA M.2, the AHCI protocol is generally used. The transmission speed of different protocols varies greatly, please confirm carefully when purchasing.
What are the advantages of NVMe M.2 SSDs?
1. Compared with traditional hard drives, the performance is improved several times;
2. It can effectively reduce the operation delay;
3. The NVMe protocol can increase the maximum queue depth from 32 to 64000, and the read and write speed of SSD will be greatly improved;
4. Its automatic power state switching and dynamic energy management functions can reduce the power consumption of the device;
5. The compatibility of the PCI-e channel is not as good as that of the SATA channel. Still, the SSD using the NVMe protocol and the PCI-e channel can easily match different platforms and systems and normally work without requiring the manufacturer to provide the corresponding driver.
How to Clone HDD to NVMe M.2 SSD?
Step 1: If you have extra jacks on your computer, install the NVMe M.2 SSD into your computer first. If not, you must find a suitable external interface to connect the NVMe M.2 SSD with your computer. NVMe M.2 SSDs are different from SSDs using SATA channels, and please pay attention to distinguish them. In addition, in theory, NVMe M.2 SSDs and SATA SSDs can coexist.
Step 2: Use the disk cloning software — DMclone to clone the hard disk to NVMe M.2 SSD
DMclone is the best SSD cloning software, and it can help you clone SSD easily. It can run flawlessly in the current mainstream Windows operating system. This SSD cloning software is the best choice to move and migrate OS and data to a new hard drive. It includes:
1.Disk clone: this function can clone the whole disk.
2.Partition clone: clone the specified partition.
And supports all common SSD brands or models, not only Samsung / PNY / WD SSD, SATA /M.2 NVMe SSD, etc., but also some niche SSD brands, so you don’t need to worry about whether different types of SSDs can be Make a clone.
The following are the specific operation steps:
Step 1: Select clone source and clone target.
Select a disk or partition as the clone source in the pop-up clone window. The target can be an empty disk or unallocated space as the clone target. Click next.
Step 2: Edit the destination disk layout.
To edit the cloned target disk layout, you can select auto fit disk layout, clone as the source disk, or manually edit disk layout.
Step 3: Perform cloning.
After confirmation, click «execute» to start the cloning process.
Step 3: Change Boot Disk to NVMe M.2 SSD
After completing the system cloning to the NVMe M.2 SSD:
1.Enter the BIOS or UEFI (the shortcut keys for entering different computer motherboards are different, please check the shortcut keys relative to your computer motherboard online).
2.After entering the BIOS or UEFI, modify the system boot sequence to the new NVMe M.2 SSD.
3.Save and exit, and restart the computer.
Other:
If you need Mac disk/system cloning, it is recommended that you use DMclone for Mac. This backup software is currently the most convenient backup/clone software. The simple interaction allows you to get started directly without too much learning. Various functions meet your needs, such as file backup, compressed file creation (dmg, zip), System cloning, and disk management.
Related Articles
Donemax Disk Clone
Powerful, safe and easy-to-use disk cloning software to clone hard drive and create bootable clone.
Как перенести данные со старого SSD M2 на новый с большим объемом в одном слоте
SSD M.2 – это небольшие устройства хранения данных, которые подключаются к материнской плате непосредственно через слот M.2.
Иногда бывает необходимость заменить старый SSD M.2 на новый с большим объемом. Как перенести данные с одного диска на другой?
Шаг 1. Создание резервной копии данных
Перед тем, как начинать переносить данные, создайте резервную копию всех важных файлов. Вы можете использовать встроенные средства Windows для создания резервной копии или использовать сторонние программы.
Шаг 2. Установка нового SSD M.2
Установите новый SSD M.2 в слот на материнской плате. Убедитесь, что диск надежно закреплен и не вываливается.
Шаг 3. Клонирование старого диска на новый
Для того чтобы перенести данные с одного диска на другой, можно использовать программу для клонирования дисков. В данном случае можно использовать бесплатную программу "EaseUS Todo Backup".
- Скачайте и установите программу "EaseUS Todo Backup".
- Запустите программу и выберите вкладку "Clone", затем выберите "Disk Clone".
- Выберите копируемый диск и введите новый диск в качестве назначения.
- Отметьте опцию "Optimize for SSD". Это поможет увеличить производительность нового SSD M.2.
- Нажмите "Proceed" и дождитесь завершения клонирования.
Шаг 4. Проверка скопированных данных
После того, как клонирование закончено, проверьте скопированные данные, чтобы убедиться, что все файлы и папки на новом диске есть и работают корректно.
Шаг 5. Финальное действие
Теперь, когда вы убедились, что все данные скопированы успешно на новый SSD M.2, можно продолжить работу с новым диском и удалить старый, чтобы освободить дополнительное место.
Вывод
Перенос данных с одного SSD M.2 на другой не является сложной задачей, но требует определенных шагов. Необходимо создать резервную копию данных, установить новый диск и скопировать данные с помощью программы для клонирования дисков. После успешного клонирования данных можно продолжить работу с новым SSD M.2.