How to Upgrade SSD in Surface Pro 4 Without Reinstalling OS

What do you do if your Surface Pro 4 runs out of storage space? Replacing it with a larger one will be a great idea. This article will describe how to perform a Surface Pro 4 SSD upgrade with step-by-step guides and tips.

The Surface Pro 4 is an update over its predecessor with more RAM and SSD options and a greater resolution. If your Surface Pro 4 is preinstalled with a small capacity SSD like 256G, performing a Surface Pro 4 SSD upgrade will be an excellent idea because it can help boost performance, increase storage capacity, and enhance user experience. This article from EaseUS will elaborate on how to upgrade Surface Pro SSD without losing data or reinstalling Windows via cloning!

Stage 1. What to Do Before Surface Pro 4 SSD Replacement

Upgrading the SSD in the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 laptop gives a gateway to enlarger storage capacity and boost performance, but a seamless SSD upgrade process needs the right equipment. Here is what you need to do before upgrading Surface Pro 4 SSD:

1️⃣Looking for a compatible SSD: Selecting a compatible SSD is paramount for a smooth SSD upgrade. The Surface Pro 4 laptop comes with an M.2 Samsung SSD. You must ensure the new SSD matches the SSD form factor or interface of your old one. 

2️⃣Data backup on old SSD: To avoid data loss risks, you'd better back up files on your old disk, and if the disk you plan to install on the Surface Pro 4 is used, ensure to back it up because Windows installation will erase data on the target disk.

3️⃣SSD connection cable: Cloning needs both hard drives to be connected to your laptop. To this end, you will need an M.2 to USB adapter or external hard drive enclosure to connect the new SSD to the computer.

4️⃣Downloading SSD cloning software: Cloning is the only way to transfer Windows and data from one SSD to another without OS reinstallation or data loss, but unfortunately, Windows lacks built-in disk cloning features. If you still use a Samsung SSD, you can use the Data Migration Tool in the Samsung Magician to transfer data from one SSD to another.

Otherwise, you can use a professional SSD cloning tool - EaseUS Disk Copy. Unlike open-source disk cloning software like Clonezilla or Rescuezilla, EaseUS SSD clone software has an extremely user-friendly interface, which can help you clone SSD to another easily and quickly.

5️⃣Other Specific Tools: Screwdriver or plastic prying tool.

Stage 2. Transfer Windows and Data from Old to New SSD

Once you have done the above preparations, you can now try to clone SSD to SSD on your Pro 4 laptop. If you want a simple-to-use disk clone program and a hassle-free migration process, use professional cloning software EaseUS Disk Copy. If you want a free disk cloning tool, try Clonezilla or Rescuezilla, which will spend more time and effort in SSD data migration.

EaseUS Disk Copy lets you clone an HDD or SSD with only 3 simple clicks and clone a hard drive with different sizes. You can also use it to clone Windows to a smaller SSD and copy a hard drive bit for bit, even if there are bad sectors on your hard drive. In addition, it enables you to make a WinPE bootable disk and adjust the disk layout during the cloning. The steps to clone an SSD to another are quite simple:

Prior Notice:

• The "Sector by sector copy" asks the size of your destination disk to be at least equal to or larger than that of the source disk. Leave this feature unchecked if you wish to clone a larger hard disk to a smaller hard disk.
• All data on the destination disk will be completely erased, so take care.

Step 1. To start copying/cloning an entire disk to another, choose this disk as the source disk under "Disk Mode" and click "Next".

Step 2. Choose the other disk as the destination disk.

Step 3. Check the disk layout of the two disks. You can manage the disk layout of the destination disk by selecting "Autofit the disk", "Copy as the source" or "Edit disk layout". 

• "Autofit the disk" makes some changes by default on the destination disk layout so that it can work at its best status.
• "Copy as the source"does not change anything on destination disk and the layout is the same as source disk.
• "Edit disk layout" allows you to manually resize/move partition layout on this destination disk.

Tick the "Check the option if the target is SSD" option to put your SSD in its best performance.

A message now appears, warning you that data will be lost. Please confirm this message by clicking "OK" and then click "Next".

Step 4. Click "Proceed" to officially execute the task.

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Stage 3. Remove Old SSD and Install Newly Cloned SSD

After cloning, your Windows and data have been transferred to the new SSD drive. You now need to replace the old SSD with the new SSD on the laptop. Here is how to swap SSDs on your Surface Pro 4 laptop:

Step 1. Power Off Surface Pro 4. Ensure you have powered off your laptop before replacing the SSD. 

Step 2. Remove kickstand. If your laptop has a removable kickstand, gently press the release button near the hinge to detach it.

Step 3. Remove the laptop back case. Use a small screwdriver to remove the screws securing the cover of the Surface Pro 4.

Step 4. Pry SSD covering shield. Use a plastic opening tool to pry the edges of the shield covering the SSD.

Step 5. Remove screws. Use the screwdriver to remove the screw holding the SSD drive.

Step 6. Remove the SSD and install the new SSD. Use the opening tool to lift the SSD slightly, install the new SSD in the same location and secure it with screws.

Step 7. Reassemble Surface Pro 4. Once the new SSD is installed, put the laptop cover back and secure it with the screws.

Step 8. Power On and test & verify. Since Surface Pro 4 has only one slot, you might not have to go to the BIOS settings to set it as your boot drive. Power on the Surface Pro 4 and verify whether it is a successful migration.

• Check whether all data is transferred completely.
• Check whether the data is consistent with the target system (or format).
• Check whether user experience and performance are improved.
• Check whether the functionality or usability of the new system (or format) is satisfactory.

After that, you can decide how to deal with your old SSD drive. You can format it and use it as your external storage device, and you can also do nothing and store it in a safe place.

To Wrap Things Up

This article describes how to upgrade the Surface Pro 4 SSD without losing data and reinstalling Windows OS. If you follow the right procedure, you can easily and quickly migrate all your data from your old SSD to a new one. To this end, you need to download a professional and reliable disk cloning tool. EaseUS Disk Copy is the right tool to help perform a successful Surface Pro 4 SSD upgrade. Just download and try it! It will give you a seamless and successful data migration experience.

FAQs on Microsoft Surface Pro 4 SSD Drive Replacement

1. Can Microsoft Surface Pro 4 run Windows 11?

Surface Pro 4 isn't officially supported by Windows 11. Running Windows 11 on unsupported hardware may not receive updates from Microsoft, and it's recommended you continue to use Windows 10 to ensure system stability.

2. How can I replace my SSD of my Surface Pro 4?

To replace Surface Pro 4 SSD without reinstalling Windows:

• Connect the new SSD to your laptop via the adapter.
• Launch the SSD cloning software to clone SSD to SSD.
• Open the cover of the Surface Pro 4 laptop and locate the existing SSD.
• Disconnect the SSD and remove it from the laptop. 
• Install the new SSD drive in the same location and secure it.

3. How to do a hard reset on Surface Pro 4?

Press and hold the volume-up and power buttons simultaneously until the screen turns off (15 seconds), then release both.

4. How big of a SSD do I need?

SSDs with a capacity between 500GB and 1TB are perfect for Windows updates, frequently used applications, regular gaming, and straight storage.