Can I Clone NVMe SSD to SATA SSD? How to Do it?

Jean updated on Oct 25, 2024 to Disk/Partition Clone | How-to Articles

NVMe and SATA are two different forms of SSD, you might clone your device from an NVMe SSD to a SATA SSD. Is it possible to clone between these two kinds of SSDs? Yes, read this article to see how it works.

Are you looking for how to clone NVMe to SATA SSD or clone SATA SSD to NVMe? If yes, you're in the right place! We understand that a desire for better performance, higher memory, and transfer speed are some of the reasons why you might require such a process. However, the common thing users try is how to clone SATA SSD to the NVMe. Is it then possible to do the reverse? This guide from EaseUS will address such questions and provide a solution.

📚Key Takeaways
Clone NVMe SSD to a SATA SSD or clone SATA to NVMe SSD contains the following main steps:
1️⃣Back up essential data save on both sourece and target disks.
2️⃣Connect two SSDs to the same computer through an adapter or a cable. 
3️⃣Download a reliable disk cloning tool, like EaseUS Disk Copy.
4️⃣Perform cloning as the software instructions.

Download this awesome disk cloning software here and get ready for NVMe to SATA or SATA to NVMe cloning.

Can I Clone NVMe SSD to a SATA SSD or Clone SATA to NVMe?

Answer: Yes, you can clone between the two SSDs. Either an NVMe SSD to a SATA SSD or the reverse cloning path. 

It works almost like cloning an HDD drive to an SSD type. Nevertheless, you might have to adjust the BIOS settings to choose the boot device. There is also a need to verify if the NVMe driver uses an MBR/GPT boot mode. That is because the new SATA SSD will have to use the same start-up settings. The following section better explains how to clone NVMe to SATA SSD.

SATA SSD and NVMe SSD are both types of solid-state drives that offer faster read and write speeds compared to traditional hard drives. However, the main difference between the two lies in the interface they use to connect to the computer.

  • SATA SSDs use the Serial ATA interface, which has been in use for many years and is limited by the speed of the SATA connection. This means that SATA SSDs have a maximum speed of around 600MB/s, which is still significantly faster than traditional hard drives but slower than NVMe SSDs.
  • NVMe SSDs use the Non-Volatile Memory Express interface, which allows for much faster data transfer speeds. NVMe SSDs can reach speeds of up to 3500MB/s, making them ideal for high-performance applications such as gaming, video editing, and data analysis.

In summary, while both SATA SSDs and NVMe SSDs offer faster speeds than traditional hard drives, NVMe SSDs are significantly faster due to their use of the NVMe interface.

🧩Read Also: How to Clone M.2 SSD with Only One Slot

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Steps to Clone NVMe SSD to SATA SSD (Clone SATA to NVMe Also Works)

Learning how to clone NVMe to SATA SSD is not difficult at all. If you have done an HDD to SDD clone, then you probably will understand this process quickly, because the basic knowledge is the same. The following steps are also applicable to cloning SATA to NVMe SSD.

Step 1. Backup all essential data on the NVMe SSD drive

The first step is to back up NVMe SSD. You should better carry out a full backup of the NVMe SSD drive if there is data saved on it. That way, you are assured that your data is safe even if any problem occurs during the cloning procedure. Note that backing up files to an external drive is not the same as manually copying the system data.

The best way is to use a backup tool like EaseUS Todo Backup Free to avoid later problems with booting or malfunctioning programs.

Step 2. Connect both drives to the same computer

The next step is to ensure the connection of both the NVME and new SATA SSDs to the same computer. There are two routes to doing that:

  • When both NVMe and SATA SSD drives are external: get a USB adapter to connect the two drivers to your laptop or PC.
  • When one of the drives is installed internally: get a screwdriver and SATA cable to connect the external drive. However, the recommended method is to ensure the internal drive is the one that would be subsequently used for booting the system. Negligence to do so can cause issues with booting from the newly cloned disk.

Remember to also initialize the SATA SSD to MBR or GPT. That will make the "Windows Boot Manager" act as the boot device.

Step 3. Download disk cloning software

We recommend the EaseUS Disk Copy because of the versatility it possesses. With just a click, the process is easier for those who don't know how to clone NVMe to SATA SSD. It can also let you clone a hard drive with bad sectors and clone NVMe SSD to NVMe SSD. The software also performs other features like:

Download and install this software, and follow the guide to see how to clone NVMe to SATA SSD.

Note: Please activate EaseUS Disk Copy for a smooth disk copying or cloning process.

Step 1. Download, install and run EaseUS Disk Copy on your PC.
Click Disk Mode and select the source disk that you want to copy or clone. Click Next to continue.

Note: The destination disk should be at least the same big or even larger than the source disk if you want to copy or clone the source disk sector by sector.

Step 2. Select the destination disk where you want to clone/copy the old disk and click Next to continue.
Click OK to confirm if the program asks to erase data on the destination disk.

Step 3. Check and edit the disk layout as Autofit the disk, Copy as the source or Edit disk layout.
Autofit the disk is recommended.

Copy as the source option will copy/clone the same layout of partitions on your source disk to the destination disk.
Edit disk layout allows you to manually resize or move partition layout on the destination disk.

If your destination disk is an SSD drive, do remember to tick Check the option if the target is SSD.

Click Proceed to start the disk cloning or disk copying process now.

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Conclusion

It's expected you now understand how to clone NVMe to SATA SSD on your computer. When next you are asked if the NVMe SSD to SATA SSD clone is possible, your answer should be Yes. The difference lies in knowing the right tools, such as our recommended EaseUS Disk Copy.

Beyond cloning, the EaseUS Disk Copy offers a range of other features that make it a worthy pick. It can also help you to fix the cloned hard drive showing the wrong size error. More practical features are here for you to explore. Just download and try it.

FAQs on How to Clone NVMe SSD to SATA SSD

1. Can you clone an M 2 to a SATA?

Yes, you can clone an M.2 SSD to SATA SSD. But to ensure a successful cloning process, you will need to use professional cloning software like EaseUS Disk Copy. It can help you clone your M.2 SSD to SATA SSD without reinstalling Windows and losing data.

2. What do you need to clone a NVMe to SSD?

First, you need to back up data on your NVMe SSD in case something goes wrong in the cloning process, and if the target SSD is not new, you also need to back it up because the cloning process will wipe all data on the target drive. Then, you will need to connect both drives to your computer. Last, you need to download a third-party cloning tool to help you clone NVMe to an SSD because Windows does not have a cloning utility.

3. Do I need to format a new SSD before cloning?

Yes, you need to format the SSD if it is new. You can use the Disk Management tool to format the device. Right-click the Windows Start button to go to this. Your disk will appear as free space; simply right-click and select "New Simple Volume". Select your drive labels and settings, then follow the formatting directions.