How to Clone NVMe SSD to NVMe SSD Without Reinstalling OS
Upgrading your NVMe drive? This guide shows how to clone NVMe SSD to NVMe SSD step-by-step, including prep tips and some FAQs.
By Lily Updated on October 13, 2025
User Case: Can I Clone NVMe to NVMe?
Hi! Does anyone have any experience with cloning NVMe drives? I may have a need to clone a large amount of NVMe drives to larger NVMe drives.
I have just been asked by one of my sales reps if it’s possible, I haven't got much experience with cloning drives and just wanted to put the feelers out. I’m guessing I would need a caddy/dock for the drives to copy to and from? Not sure on the software though.
Also, any ideas on speeds of the copy process? It would be a basic OOBE Windows to be copied over. Sysprep/image isn’t an option. Thanks!”
- Question from Reddit
💡 Quick answer:
Yes — cloning NVMe drives to larger NVMe drives is absolutely possible. You’ll need a system with two NVMe slots or a dual NVMe dock/enclosure. Reliable cloning software is also needed.
The cloning time depends on the drives and interface (PCIe 3.0 vs 4.0). Cloning a 500GB drive might take around 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Preparations Before Cloning NVMe Drive
Before you start the cloning process, a little preparation can save you from data loss, boot issues, or wasted time. Follow these essential steps to ensure a smooth NVMe-to-NVMe migration.
1. Check System and Hardware Compatibility
Not all motherboards support two NVMe drives at the same time. If yours has only one M.2 slot, you’ll need an NVMe to USB adapter or NVMe enclosure to connect the new drive externally.
Also, confirm that your system supports NVMe booting—especially on older PCs where BIOS settings might need tweaking.
2. Backup Important Files
Although cloning is generally safe, it’s always smart to create a backup before making any major disk changes. Backup important files to an external drive or cloud storage in case anything goes wrong during the process.
3. Verify Target SSD Capacity
Ensure the destination NVMe SSD has enough space to hold all data from your old drive. If it’s smaller, you’ll need to free up space or use cloning software that supports intelligent cloning (only copying used sectors).
4. Choose Reliable Cloning Software
The key to a successful clone is choosing the right tool. The best disk cloning software – AOMEI Cloner comes to help.
AOMEI Cloner- Flexible Clone: Copy the entire NVMe drive or migrate only OS to another drive.
- Intelligent Clone: Copy only used sectors—ideal for cloning to a smaller SSD.
- Hot Clone: Clone your system disk while Windows is running, without interrupting your work or requiring a restart.
- Bootable Media Creation: Create a bootable USB or CD/DVD to clone your system even if Windows won’t boot.
- Supported Device: Work with SATA, NVMe, PCIe, M.2, and external SSDs/HDDs from all major brands.
100% SecureDownload AOMEI Cloner and install it on your PC now!
How to Clone NVMe SSD to NVMe SSD Step by Step
Cloning your NVMe SSD to another NVMe drive using AOMEI Cloner is quite simple. Please follow the instructions below:
👀 Take a glance at the cloning process:
1️⃣ Connect the New NVMe SSD
2️⃣ Launch NVMe Cloner
3️⃣ Select Source and Destination Drives
4️⃣ Adjust Partition Size (Optional)
5️⃣ Start Cloning
6️⃣ Replace and Boot
Step 1. Connect the new NVMe SSD to your computer and make sure it is detected.
- If your motherboard has two M.2 slots, install the new NVMe SSD in the empty one.
- If there’s only one slot, use an NVMe-to-USB adapter or NVMe enclosure to connect the new drive externally.
Step 2. Install and launch the best M.2 NVMe duplicator – AOMEI Cloner on your PC. From the left panel, select “Clone” → “Disk Clone.”
Step 3. Choose your current NVMe SSD (the one with your system and data) as Source Disk and select the new NVMe SSD where you want to clone the data as Destination Disk.
Step 4. (Optional) If you are cloning NVMe SSD to a larger NVMe SSD, click“Edit Partitions”to adjust partition size on the destination disk automatically or manually.
Step 5. Tick “SSD Alignment” to optimize 4K partition alignment for the target NVMe SSD. Then click “Start Clone” to begin NVMe SSD clone.
Step 6. Once cloning is complete, replace and boot from the new NVMe SSD.
- Shut down your PC.
- Remove the old NVMe drive and install the new one in its place (if you used an adapter).
- Enter BIOS/UEFI, and make sure the new NVMe SSD is set as the first boot device.
- Save changes and restart your computer — your system should boot from the cloned drive instantly.
FAQs about NVMe to NVMe Clone
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1. Will my cloned NVMe SSD be bootable? Absolutely — as long as you clone the system disk (including the EFI/boot partition) and set the cloned NVMe drive as the first boot option in BIOS/UEFI after cloning. |
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2. Can I clone to a smaller NVMe SSD? Yes, if the used space on the source drive is smaller than the target drive’s capacity. Use the “Intelligent Clone” feature in AOMEI Cloner, which copies only used sectors to fit smaller drives. |
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3. Do I need to format the new NVMe SSD before cloning? No. AOMEI Cloner will automatically format and prepare the destination NVMe SSD during the cloning process. Just make sure you’ve backed up any important data first. |
To Sum Up
Cloning NVMe SSD to NVMe SSD is the fastest and most efficient way to upgrade your storage without reinstalling Windows or losing data. With a reliable tool like AOMEI Cloner, you can easily migrate your entire system — operating system, applications, and personal files — to a new drive in just a few clicks.
What’s more, it works with all common disk brands. You can use it to clone Samsung SSD, WD SSD, Kingston SSD, etc. Don’t hesitate to try it out!
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