With reliable cloning software - AOMEI Cloner and thorough preparation, you can easily clone M.2 SATA to M.2 NVMe SSD and boot up safely. Scroll down to learn more!
So, you have two M.2 drives that look nearly identical. Why can't you just copy the files over? The answer lies beneath the surface. While they share the same physical connector, M.2 SATA and an M.2 NVMe are built on completely different technologies. Understanding this is the key to a successful clone.
Older M.2 SATA drives use the outdated AHCI protocol, designed for slow mechanical hard drives and SATA SSDs. Newer NVMe drives, however, utilize the modern NVMe protocol, built specifically for the high-speed PCI Express (PCIe) lanes they connect to.
Cloning is the process of not just moving data, but expertly copying the entire system so it can boot and run on completely new hardware. You need the right tools and expertise to make the switch seamless.
Upgrading from SATA to NVMe isn't just a theoretical boost. You'll feel the difference in everyday use. We're talking about significantly faster boot times, near-instantaneous loading of large applications and games, and drastically reduced file transfer waits.
And the best part? Cloning lets you unlock this performance without starting from scratch. You get to keep your perfectly configured Windows installation, with all software, settings, and files right where they belong. It’s the ultimate shortcut to a faster PC(Up to 3500MB/s).
The biggest hurdle in cloning M.2 SATA to M.2 NVMe is that both drives must be physically connected to the computer simultaneously as well as a reliable SATA to NVMe cloner.
1. Check the disk slots
Ideally, the motherboard features two M.2 slots - typically one compatible with both SATA and NVMe, while the other is dedicated to NVMe. However, most laptops and compact motherboards only have one slot, requiring an extra M.2 adapter or external enclosure.
2. Prepare your NVMe drive
If your NVMe drive is brand-new, you’ll be asked to initialize it upon detection. Remember to select GPT as the partition style.
3. Choose a dedicated cloning software- AOMEI Cloner
It can clone HDDs/SSDs, MBR/GPT disks, SATA/M.2/PCIe/NVMe, etc., in Windows 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server and handle most cloning issues (e.g., wrong partition style) well.
After deciding or fixing the connection issues, it’s time to clone M.2 SATA to M.2 NVMe SSD using a dedicated cloning software - AOMEI Cloner. Here’s a step-by-step guide below.
Step 1. Power down your computer completely and unplug the power cord. Then, install the NVMe drives:
Step 2. Restart and open AOMEI Cloner. Then, click Clone and Disk Clone.
Step 3. In the Source Disk window, choose your old M.2 SATA drive and click Next.
Step 4. In the Destination Disk window, choose your new M.2 NVMe drive and click Next.
Warning: The destination drive will be overwritten or deleted. Make sure to select the right disk and backup your important data (if there is) in advance. Then, click OK to continue.
Step 5. Review the partition layout and check SSD Alignment to improve SSD disk performance. At last, click Start Clone. Do not interrupt the process.
⚠️Notes:
✅ Edit Partitions: It will resize partitions of a larger disk automatically to avoid unallocated space left after cloning. You can also convert disk types between MBR and GPT.
✅ SSD Alignment: It can accelerate the reading and writing speed of an SSD disk.
❌Sector by Sector Clone: It can clone all sectors of a disk, including empty sectors and bad sectors, and takes longer. Unless the drives are exactly the same size, uncheck this option.
Download AOMEI Cloner for easy cloning!
Step 1. Once the cloning process is complete, shut down your computer and unplug the power cable.
Step 2. Open your case and physically remove the old M.2 SATA drive.
Step 3. Then, install the NVMe SSD in the primary M.2 slot. Be sure all connections are secure and reliable.
Step 4. Plug your computer back in and power it on, immediately press the BIOS key (i.e., F2, F10, ESC, etc) to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings.
Step 5. Navigate to the Boot/Boot Priority tab. You should now see your new NVMe drive listed (e.g., "Samsung 980 Pro" or "WD Black SN850").
Step 6. Set this new NVMe drive as the #1 boot option. Save your changes and exit the BIOS. Your system should now boot from the new NVMe drive.
Now, it’s time to clone M.2 SATA to M.2 NVMe and boot safely. Just be sure there are two disk slots or prepare an M.2 adapter or enclosure as well as employ a reliable SATA to NVMe cloner like AOMEI Cloner.
With its full cloning features, you can clone SATA to NVMe successfully whether the destination drive is larger or smaller. Even no manual setup is required.