How to Copy HDD to M.2 SSD Without Reinstalling Windows

User case: Can I clone HDD to M.2 SSD?

If you’re thinking about upgrading your PC or laptop, one of the smartest moves you can make is to clone hard drive to M.2 SSD. You can benefit a lot from an M.2 SSD, such as:

🎯Blazing-Fast Speed and Better Performance

🎯Slim, Silent, and More Durable

🎯Power Efficiency and Heat Reduction

Prepare for HDD to M.2 SSD clone

Before you copy HDD to M.2 SSD, it's crucial to get everything set up properly. Here's what you need to do before you start the clone process:

1. Check M.2 SSD Compatibility

First, make sure your computer actually supports an M.2 SSD. Look up your device model’s specs or open the case (carefully!) and check for an M.2 slot. Some laptops and desktops support only SATA-based M.2 SSDs, while others can handle NVMe (which is faster).

2. Choose the Right M.2 SSD

Pick an SSD that matches your needs and budget. If you're copying from a larger HDD to a smaller SSD (e.g. clone 1TB HDD to 500GB SSD), make sure the used space on your HDD fits within the SSD.

3. Backup Important Data

Even though cloning should retain all your files, it's smart to back up critical data to an external drive or cloud storage just in case.

4. Gather Required Tools

To connect your M.2 SSD externally for cloning (if your device has no free M.2 slot), you’ll need an M.2 to USB adapter or NVMe enclosure. Also, you’ll need a small screwdriver for installation.

5. Download Disk Cloning Software

To transfer everything from HDD to M.2 SSD, you need specialized disk clone software – AOMEI Cloner.

Don’t hesitate to download AOMEI Cloner on your PC.

How to transfer data from HDD to M.2 SSD securely

If you're looking to copy HDD to M.2 SSD without reinstalling Windows or losing data, follow these secure steps to get it done right.

Step 1: Install the M.2 SSD

• If your computer has a free M.2 slot, install the SSD internally.
• If not, use an M.2 to USB adapter or external enclosure to connect the SSD as a secondary drive.
• Confirm that the new drive is recognized in Disk Management.

Step 2: Start the Disk Cloning Process

1. Install and open AOMEI Cloner. In the main interface, click on Clone > Disk Clone.

2. Select your HDD as the source disk. Then choose the M.2 SSD as the destination disk.

3. On the Operation Summary page, check the information of the source and destination disks.

• If the two disks are of a different partition style (one MBR, one GPT), click Edit Partitions > Convert the destination disk from MBR (GPT) to GPT (MBR) to make the two disks coincide. This can avoid boot failure caused by BIOS/UEFI mismatch.
• If the SSD has a larger capacity than HDD, click Edit Partitions > Add unused space to all partitions or Manually adjust partition size to make full use of SSD capacity.

4. Check the box that says SSD Alignment. This optimizes the SSD’s performance and extends its lifespan. Finally, click Start Clone and wait for the process to finish.

Step 3: Set M.2 SSD as Boot Drive

1. After cloning, shut down your computer.

2. Disconnect the old HDD (if needed), then boot into BIOS.

3. Change the boot priority to your new M.2 SSD.

4. Save and restart. Windows should now boot from the SSD seamlessly.

Bonus tips after copying HDD to M.2 SSD

You’ve successfully managed to copy HDD to M.2 SSD—nice work! But don’t stop there. To make the most of your new drive and avoid any post-migration hiccups, here are a few bonus tips to wrap things up the right way.

1. Format the Old HDD for Extra Storage

After confirming that your system boots correctly from the M.2 SSD and all your data is intact, you can repurpose your old hard drive. Just make sure nothing important is left on it, then:

• Open Disk Management.
• Right-click the old HDD partitions and choose Delete Volume.
• Right-click the unallocated space and choose New Simple Volume.

Now you’ve got extra storage space for backups, large files, or games.

2. Enable TRIM for SSD Longevity

TRIM helps your SSD manage unused data blocks efficiently, keeping it fast over time. Windows usually enables TRIM by default, but you can double-check:

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
• Type: fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify.
• If it returns 0, TRIM is enabled. You’re good to go.

3. Disable Scheduled Defragmentation

Unlike HDDs, SSDs don’t need (or want) defragmentation—it can actually shorten their lifespan. Instead:

• Go to Defragment and Optimize Drives.
• Make sure your M.2 SSD is not set to defragment on a schedule.
• If needed, turn off automatic optimization for that drive.

To sum up

This guide walks you through how to copy HDD to M.2 SSD without reinstalling Windows—from checking compatibility and choosing the right SSD, to using AOMEI Cloner for a smooth data transfer. AOMEI Cloner does a great job of HDD, SSD, and USB clone. Benefit from this powerful cloning software by downloading it on your computer right now!