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I am installing an m.2 SSD but only have one m.2 slot, Windows is downloaded on my existing ssd, how do I make the switch?

seancogan2
By seancogan2
in Troubleshooting
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Hi,

I have windows installed on my 500gb m.2 ssd and I am replacing it with a 2tb one, I only have one slot. How do I make the transfer? I can backup files on one of my hard disks. I am not quite sure what the best procedure is here? appreciate any help.

Thanks,

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If the hdds are empty, you can clone windows to an hdd and then clone it to the new drive after installation. This is if you want to keep everything as it is but on a new drive.

https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-clone-a-hard-drive-on-windows-pc-mac

 

Alternatively,  you could also just move your local media and important files to one of the hdds and then just reinstall windows via USB.

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1 minute ago, okkee said:

If the hdds are empty, you can clone windows to an hdd and then clone it to the new drive after installation. This is if you want to keep everything as it is but on a new drive.

https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-clone-a-hard-drive-on-windows-pc-mac

 

Alternatively,  you could also just move your local media and important files to one of the hdds and then just reinstall windows via USB.

I was thinking of doing the second option, but was unsure if there was any better alternatives. Thanks for the reply.

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13 minutes ago, seancogan2 said:

I have windows installed on my 500gb m.2 ssd and I am replacing it with a 2tb one, I only have one slot. How do I make the transfer?

Do you have a free PCIe slot? cause using a m.2 add in card could be a better and easier solution.

Something like this (this is not a recommendation of this product, it was simply the first one I found on amazon)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/glotrends-Adapter-Heatsink-2230-2280-PA09-HS/dp/B07FN3YZ8P/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=PCIe+M.2+Adapter&qid=1706634681&sr=8-4

This way you could have 2.5TB of useable space in the system.

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33 minutes ago, will0hlep said:

Do you have a free PCIe slot? cause using a m.2 add in card could be a better and easier solution.

Something like this (this is not a recommendation of this product, it was simply the first one I found on amazon)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/glotrends-Adapter-Heatsink-2230-2280-PA09-HS/dp/B07FN3YZ8P/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=PCIe+M.2+Adapter&qid=1706634681&sr=8-4

This way you could have 2.5TB of useable space in the system.

This or an external USB adapter, 20 British bucks, portable but it's slower than a PCie adapter (depending on your USB speed but probably <1GB/sec)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Enclosure-Beikell-Tool-Free-10Gbps-Adapter-Silver/dp/B0BGS3NZ4C/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2A94T8BS5O6CF&keywords=m2+usb+adapter&qid=1706636808&sprefix=m2+usb+adapte%2Caps%2C263&sr=8-3

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