How to transfer all my data from m.2 ssd to new, larger m.2 ssd

saitamas

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I have a laptop with a 120 GB m.2 sata ssd and a 1TB hdd. The operating system is installed on the SSD but I wanted to upgrade my SSD for more storage and I also wanted a NVMe pcie one. How would I go about cloning my drive from the original ssd to the new one? I looked up some adapters, but it says it's only for SATA ssd's. Would i have to clone my original ssd drive to my hdd, set my boot drive to my hdd, swap out the ssds, then clone the hdd to the new ssd and set the boot drive to the new ssd?
 
Solution


Absolutely, yes.
You also have to gather all the drivers for the hardware. Download and save these to a USB stick.

Yes - pretty much.
Unless you have access to hardware, that has 2x m.2 slots.
 

USAFRet

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Can your laptop actually use a NVMe drive?
 

saitamas

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Yes, I am going to be buying this https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=2WC-000N-00068&cm_re=fx502-_-2WC-000N-00068-_-Product and switching our the TN panel for an IPS one.
 

saitamas

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How do I do a clean install? Would I need to purchase a new copy of windows 10?
 

USAFRet

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No new license needed.

2 ways:
The laptop might have a Factory Recovery partition. This should allow you to create your own DVD or USB reset media.
You should do this anyway. Look in the user manual for how to invoke this.
Swap drives, boot from that, and it should make the system just as it came from the store, just on the new drive.

or...
Create your own Win 10 install DVD or USB, here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Swap the drive, boot from that DVD or USB you made, install. It should pick up the license key. Or, the OS license key will be printed on the laptop or in your paperwork somewhere.
 

saitamas

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Would creating my own new Win 10 install be the best choice since I can get rid of all the bloatware that comes with the laptop?
 

USAFRet

Titan
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Absolutely, yes.
You also have to gather all the drivers for the hardware. Download and save these to a USB stick.
 
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