How to Transfer Windows 10 to M.2 SSD Without Losing Data

Yes, you absolutely can move Windows 10 to an M.2 SSD, which is one of the most common upgrade paths for PC users who want better performance. In the following, we will show you the benefits of using M.2 for boot drive, and how to transfer Windows from SSD to M.2 SSD without reinstalling.

Why Transfer Windows 10 to M.2 SSD?

An M.2 SSD is a small, slim solid-state drive that connects directly to the motherboard via an M.2 slot. Unlike traditional 2.5-inch SSDs or hard drives that use SATA cables, M.2 SSDs plug straight into the board, making them more compact and much faster, especially when paired with the NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) interface. There are two types of M.2 SSDs:

• SATA M.2 SSD: Uses the SATA III interface, with speeds up to 550 MB/s. Similar performance to 2.5" SATA SSDs.
• NVMe M.2 SSD: Uses the PCIe interface, delivering speeds 3 to 10 times faster than SATA SSDs. Perfect for high-speed data transfer, gaming, and heavy workloads.

So when you transfer Windows 10 from SSD to M.2, you will immediately notice improvements in boot times, App and game launch speeds, file transfer rates, and overall system responsiveness.

Preparations of Moving Windows 10 from SSD/HDD to M.2 SSD

Before learning how to move OS from SSD to M.2, some preps are essential to ensure a trouble-free migration:

Check compatibility. Ensure your PC has an available M.2 slot and supports NVMe or SATA-based M.2 drives. And make sure your BIOS and Windows are updated to support M.2 or NVMe boot.

Backup important data. Before moving the operating system, it is recommended that you back up all system settings and important files to an external hard drive or cloud storage to prevent data loss in case of any problems.

Free up space(optional). Your source drive must not exceed the capacity of the M.2 SSD. Delete unnecessary files or uninstall unused programs if needed.

Get a reliable cloning tool. While you can clean install Windows 10 on the new SSD, it is time-consuming and requires backing up and reinstalling everything. Cloning is a simple and worry-free way to transfer Windows 10 to M.2 SSD, because it creates an exact copy of your system, including the bootloader, partitions, applications, and settings.

How to Transfer Windows 10 to M.2 SSD Without Losing Data

If you don't know how to choose the right OS migration tool, AOMEI Cloner, a professional and reliable disk clone software is a great option.

This software makes it simple to transfer Windows to new SSD, and keeps everything as it is. Except for Windows 10, you can also use it to clone Windows 11 to new SSD, as well as clone Windows Server OS to another drive. It handles complex operations like OS migration with minimal user input. Its key features include:

AOMEI Cloner

Best System and Disk Cloning Software

• Its System Clone feature enables you to migrate only the OS to a new SSD.
• It also offers a Disk Clone feature to help you clone entire hard drive to SSD, either cloning from a larger HDD to a smaller SSD or cloning from a smaller HDD to a smaller SSD.
• It provides SSD Alignment, which helps automatically improve SSD performance and prolong its lifespan.
• It is capable of cloning GPT to MBR or vice versa while ensuring the destination GPT disk is bootable.

Free Download
Win 11/10/8/7/Server

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The following are steps about how to migrate OS to SSD on Windows 10 using AOMEI Cloner:

Step 1. Install the M.2 SSD. Power off your PC, insert the M.2 drive into its slot, and then boot up.

Step 2. Launch AOMEI and Choose System Clone. Download and install the AOMEI Cloner utility. In the main menu, select Clone and then System Clone. It will grab the OS and essential partitions automatically.

Step 3. Select the M.2 SSD that you wish to save the Windows 10 OS as the destination disk, and click Next to continue.

Step 4. Check SSD Alignment to improve the performance of the M.2 SSD. Then click Start Clone to transfer Windows 10 to M.2 SSD hassle-free.

👉 Useful Tips:
▶Its default intelligent cloning mode copies only used sectors on the system partitions or disk. If you want to clone every sector on the source partitions or disk, you could check Sector By Sector Clone.
▶If your M.2 SSD is larger, there would be an option called Make full use of disk space, and it is checked by default to extend the system partition size.

Step 5. Boot from the M.2 SSD. Once the cloning process is finished, reboot your PC, enter BIOS or UEFI setup (commonly by pressing DEL, F2, or F12 during startup), switch the boot drive to M.2 by changing the boot order to prioritize the M.2 SSD, and then save and exit BIOS.

FAQs about Moving Windows 10 to SSD

#1. Can I swap m.2 SSD without reinstalling Windows?

Yes, if you clone your system from the current drive to the M.2 SSD, you don’t need to reinstall Windows. Cloning ensures the OS, boot files, and applications are copied exactly as they are. Just remember to set the M.2 SSD as the boot drive by adjusting the boot sequence in BIOS after installation.

#2. Can you just clone Windows 10 to SSD?

Absolutely. Tools like AOMEI Cloner let you clone only your current Windows 10 installation directly to an SSD, without other unnecessary files. This is the fastest and most efficient way to migrate your OS without a fresh install.

#3. Will I lose my Windows 10 license if I change my SSD?

In most cases, no. Windows 10 licenses are often tied to your motherboard. If you're simply replacing the storage device, the license will remain active. However, it's a good idea to link your license to a Microsoft account before making major hardware changes. This allows for easier reactivation if needed. To check your activation status:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
• If it says Windows is activated with a digital license, you're safe.

Summary

Thinking about transferring Windows 10 to an M.2 SSD without reinstalling Windows or risking your precious files? The specialized cloning software AOMEI Cloner would be a great helper.

You can utilize it to clone only OS to new SSD or copy entire hard drive to a new drive quickly. Also, it comes with a Create Bootable Media function that allows you to clone hard drive from WinPE without booting into Windows.