Migrating Windows Install from M.2 to M.2 with a 3rd Drive

Are you looking to upgrade your M.2 SSD but don’t want to lose the data on your current drive? This article will guide you through the process of migrating your Windows installation from one M.2 drive to another, while keeping your data safe and secure. We’ll also show you how to do this with a third drive, giving you even more storage space.

Why Migrate to a New M.2 Drive?

M.2 SSDs have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their small size and high performance. They offer faster read and write speeds compared to traditional SATA drives, and they use less power, which can help extend the battery life of laptops. If you’re using an older M.2 SSD, upgrading to a newer one can give you a significant performance boost.

What You’ll Need

To migrate your Windows installation from one M.2 drive to another, you’ll need the following:

• Two M.2 SSDs (one for the current installation and one for the new installation)
• A third SSD or HDD (for storing data during the migration)
• A USB flash drive or external hard drive (for creating a backup of your current installation)
• A cloning software (such as Acronis True Image or Macrium Reflect)
• A Phillips screwdriver

Step 1: Create a Backup of Your Current Installation

Before you start the migration process, it’s important to create a backup of your current installation. This will ensure that you can recover your data in case anything goes wrong during the migration. Here’s how to do it:

1. Connect your USB flash drive or external hard drive to your computer.
2. Download and install a cloning software (such as Acronis True Image or Macrium Reflect) on your computer.
3. Launch the cloning software and select the option to create a backup of your current installation.
4. Follow the prompts to select the source drive (your current M.2 drive) and the destination drive (your USB flash drive or external hard drive).
5. Click the “Backup” button to start the backup process. This may take some time, depending on the size of your current installation.

Step 2: Clone Your Current Installation to the New M.2 Drive

Once you’ve created a backup of your current installation, it’s time to clone it to the new M.2 drive. Here’s how to do it:

1. Connect the new M.2 drive to your computer. This may require you to use a PCIe adapter, depending on your computer’s configuration.
2. Launch the cloning software and select the option to clone your current installation to the new M.2 drive.
3. Follow the prompts to select the source drive (your current M.2 drive) and the destination drive (your new M.2 drive).
4. Select the option to include all partitions, including the system partition and the recovery partition.
5. Click the “Clone” button to start the cloning process. This may take some time, depending on the size of your current installation.

Step 3: Install the New M.2 Drive

Once the cloning process is complete, it’s time to install the new M.2 drive in your computer. Here’s how to do it:

1. Shut down your computer and unplug it from the power source.
2. Open the computer case and locate the M.2 slot where your current drive is installed.
3. Carefully remove the screw that holds the M.2 drive in place.
4. Remove the current M.2 drive and insert the new M.2 drive into the slot.
5. Screw the M.2 drive into place and close the computer case.
6. Plug in the power cord and turn on the computer.
7. The computer should boot up from the new M.2 drive, with all of your data and applications intact.

Step 4: Move Your Data to the Third Drive

Now that you’ve successfully migrated your Windows installation to the new M.2 drive, it’s time to move your data to the third drive. Here’s how to do it:

1. Connect the third drive to your computer.
2. Create a new folder on the third drive to store your data.
3. Use Windows Explorer to navigate to your current installation (on the new M.2 drive) and select the folders and files that you want to move.
4. Drag and drop the selected folders and files to the new folder on the third drive.
5. Wait for the files to copy over to the third drive.

Step 5: Verify the Migration

Once you’ve moved your data to the third drive, it’s important to verify that the migration was successful. Here’s how to do it:

1. Restart your computer and boot up from the new M.2 drive.
2. Use Windows Explorer to navigate to the new folder on the third drive and verify that all of your data is present.
3. Launch your applications and verify that they’re working properly.

Migrating your Windows installation from one M.2 drive to another can be a daunting task, but with the right tools and a little bit of patience, it’s a relatively straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can upgrade your M.2 SSD and keep all of your data safe and secure. And if you have a third drive, you can even increase your storage space in the process.

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