How to Clone Windows to NVMe SSD: A Step-by-Step Guide

Can you put Windows on a NVMe SSD?Of course! Upgrading your hard drive to an NVMe SSD is one of the best ways to improve your computer's performance. You can install a fresh copy of Windows on an NVMe SSD or migrate an existing Windows installation from another drive, such as a SATA SSD or HDD.

Cloning an existing Windows installation to an NVMe SSD is an easy way to switch without having to reinstall everything from scratch. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of cloning Windows to an NVMe SSD and how to get the most out of your new drive.

How to Clone Windows to NVMe SSD？

With NVMe SSDs being a newer SSD model, you'll need to have computer hardware with a Skylake chipset or higher, an M.2 PCI-E x4 slot, UEFI firmware, and UEFI boot mode. If you're ready, go ahead and follow the steps below to clone the NVMe drive.

Step 1: Prepare Tools and Equipment for SSD Clone

Before you begin, make sure you have the following items ready:

• An NVMe SSD installed in your PC or an external NVMe enclosure, and make sure the free space on the NVMe SSD is larger than the space for data on the source disk in Windows.
• Reliable cloning software, such as AOMEI Backupper Professional, provides powerful cloning capabilities to simplify the migration process. It can clone a larger drive to a smaller drive using Smart Clone, or make an exact copy of the source disk using Sector-by-Sector Clone. And it can use "SSD Alignment" to optimize SSD performance.

• A USB flash drive for launching the cloning software (if needed).

Step 2: Install NVMe SSD 

If you haven't installed an NVMe SSD yet, now is the time to do so. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to make sure the SSD is properly connected to your PC via the M.2 slot.

• If you're using an external enclosure, insert the NVMe SSD into the enclosure and connect it to your PC via USB.
• If there's only one slot, try using an adapter or SSD enclosure to connect it.

In addition, if it's a new NVMe SSD, use Disk Management to initialize it to the GPT format.

Step 3: Launch the cloning software and select the cloning option

For the cloning process, AOMEI Backupper is a great choice for both beginners and experts. It supports a variety of cloning operations, including cloning Windows to NVMe SSD. The tool supports almost all common SSD brands and models. You can use it to clone Samsung SSD, Crucial SSD, etc.

Download this SSD cloning software to try it now:

• Launch AOMEI Backupper, and click the Clone tab.
• Select the System Clone option, it will clone only the partitions required to boot Windows (including the System Reserved Partition and the OS partition).

If you want to clone all the data on the source drive to the NVMe SSD, you can choose Disk Clone.

Step 4: Select Source and Target Drive to Clone Windows to NVMe

You need to select the source disk (the current hard disk or SSD where Windows is installed) and the target disk (NVMe SSD).

• Source Disk: Select the disk where Windows is currently installed.
• Destination Disk: Select your newly installed NVMe SSD.

Step 6: Start the Windows Cloning Process

After selecting the source and target disks, check the settings and click Start Clone to start the cloning process. AOMEI Backupper will clone your Windows installation to the NVMe SSD, including the OS, applications, and files. The cloning process may take some time, depending on the size of the data to be transferred.

Step 7: Set NVMe SSD as the Boot Drive

After the cloning process is complete, you need to set the NVMe SSD as the primary boot device:

• Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI setup (usually by pressing the DEL or F2 key during boot).
• In the BIOS menu, set the NVMe SSD as the first boot device.
• Save the changes and exit the BIOS.

Your PC will now boot from the NVMe SSD, giving you a faster, more responsive experience.

Note: If your computer doesn't boot as expected, please refer to this article: "Cloned Drive Won't Boot."

Conclusion

Cloning your Windows system to an NVMe SSD is a simple and effective way to upgrade your PC's performance without reinstalling Windows and all your software. With AOMEI Backupper, the cloning process is easy to complete, ensuring a smooth transition to your new NVMe SSD.

FAQs About Clone Windows to NVMe SSD

1. Do I need to reinstall Windows after cloning to an NVMe SSD?

No, cloning with AOMEI Backupper transfers your entire Windows setup to the new SSD, so there’s no need for reinstallation.

2. What if my NVMe SSD isn’t showing up?

Make sure your NVMe SSD is correctly installed and recognized in the BIOS/UEFI. If you're using an external enclosure, ensure the connection is stable.

3. Can I clone my drive to a smaller SSD?

Yes, AOMEI Backupper supports cloning to a smaller disk, as long as the data on the source disk fits within the capacity of the target disk.

4. Will cloning erase data on the target NVMe SSD?

Yes, the target SSD will be overwritten during the cloning process, so make sure to back up any important data before proceeding.

Recommendation: For a seamless cloning experience, we highly recommend using AOMEI Backupper. This software offers powerful features, including system cloning, disk cloning, and backup solutions, making it the ideal choice for migrating your Windows installation to an NVMe SSD. Download AOMEI Backupper today and make your SSD upgrade hassle-free.