Can I Clone SSD to M.2 Free? Yes, Sure. Your Guide Is Here

Updated by

Tracy King 

Written by

Roxanne 

Updated on Nov 18, 2024

Upgrading your computer's storage is one of the most practical things you can do to enhance performance. M.2 SSDs have emerged as the primary choice for this. 

These disks are more powerful, smaller, and energy-efficient than traditional ones. They would be perfect for gamers, content creators, or anyone looking to boot faster and have fewer problems with their system.

If you are looking to clone your existing SSD into an M.2, you are not alone, as many users do this upgrade for an increase in storage or a speed boost to their PC. The good news is that it is free and easy if you know what to do. There is only one way to clone an SSD to an M.2 SSD safely using reliable software.

Let's get started with EaseUS.

Can I Clone SSD to M.2 SSD for Free? The answer is Yes, Your Checklist Here

You can clone your SSD to an M.2 SSD for free, but there are some conditions. First, make sure to check all the items in the list below:

• New M.2 SSD: Your new M.2 SSD has a larger capacity than the old one. This prevents any space problems before or after cloning. Space issues during cloning might prompt some files to not be transferred fully, or there could be errors in transfers.
• Get a Cloning Software: Choose trusted SSD cloning software to avoid any potential data loss or corruption. Be sure to review tools carefully, as they can cause serious issues during the process. For this guide, we will recommend a trusted tool shortly.

• Operating System on Source SSD: If your current SSD contains the operating system, remember that you'll need to configure the new M.2 SSD to boot correctly after the cloning process. More on this later.
• Backup Your Files: Though cloning is a safe process, it's always a good idea to back up important files from your source SSD before starting. Unexpected errors can happen, and having a backup ensures your data is secure.

Once you've reviewed this checklist, follow the steps below carefully to clone your SSD to your new M.2 SSD. Also, share this guide to help more people in similar situations to you.

#1. Get a New M.2 SSD and Install to PC Correctly

First, you will have to purchase a new M.2 SSD. As pointed out above, this must be an M.2 SSD with higher storage capacity than your existing SSD in order to have available room for any files that might load onto it over time.

• Installing the M.2 SSD: Once you get a new M.2 SSD, install it on your PC. Here is how you can do it:
• Check if your PC has a spare SSD slot: It would be easier to do this if your computer had more than one M.2 slot. Then, install the new M.2 SSD in the vacant slot.
• Use an External SSD: If you have a computer with only one slot or directly need cloning from the previous old SSD, you can connect this new M.2 SSD via USB by an external SSD enclosure.

After installing the SSD physically, you'll need to initialize the new drive. Make sure to set the M.2 SSD to the same partition style (GPT or MBR) as the old one. This ensures the cloning process goes smoothly without partitioning errors.

#2. Download Reliable Free SSD Cloning Software

Now that your new M.2 SSD is ready, the next step is downloading cloning software to transfer data from the old SSD to the new one. This step is crucial, and choosing a reliable tool can make or break the process.

Why It Pays to Stick with Reliable Software

Using unreliable software to clone your drives can lead to errors, such as lost data, an incomplete clone, or damage to your SSD. To avoid these, we recommend the highly trusted and user-friendly EaseUS Partition Master. This program offers a practical Copy Partition feature, making it relatively easy to clone your SSD to an M.2 SSD efficiently and safely.

To get started, download EaseUS Partition Master Free Edition from the official site.

#3. Clone SSD to M.2 SSD for Free

With the cloning software installed, you're ready to begin the cloning process. Don't worry, the process is straightforward and uses the proper steps.

The cloning involves choosing the source SSD, picking the target M.2 SSD, and confirming the data transfer. After that, your new M.2 SSD will replicate your old drive with all files, applications, and system data.

Step 1. Select "Clone" from the left menu. Click "Clone Partition" and "Next".

Step 2. Select the source partition and click "Next".

Step 3. Choose your the target partition and click "Next "to continue.

• If you clone partition to the existing partition, you should transfer or back up data before cloning to prevent it being overwritten.
• Check warning message and confirm "Yes".

Step 4. Click Start and wait for the clone to complete.

You can check how to clone partition or system reserved partition on this video tutorial.

If this cloning software helps you, please share it with more people.

#4. Set the OS to Boot from M.2 SSD (Optional)

An extra step is involved if your source SSD includes the operating system. After cloning, you must ensure your computer can boot from the new M.2 SSD. This involves configuring a new system partition on the M.2 SSD and adjusting the boot settings.

Setting up the M.2 SSD as a Boot Drive

You are required to access the BIOS/UEFI configuration.

Step 1: Restart your computer and continuously hit the BIOS key of your system. Search the internet with your system's model to find the correct key. Generally, keys include F2, F8, F10, or DEL.

Step 2: In the boot menu, change the boot order to prioritize your new M.2 SSD.

Step 3: Save your changes and exit. Now, your PC should boot off of the new M.2 SSD.

If you skipped this step, your PC might still try to boot from the old drive, which could cause errors.

#5. Make Use of the Old SSD or Clear It

Now that you've got your M.2 SSD good to go, it's natural to wonder what to do with the old SSD. There are two primary choices:

• Re-use the Old SSD: You may format disk windows 10, If you like using it as additional storage. This will erase everything on the device and provide empty space to store new files.
• Sell the old SSD: If you plan to sell or give it out, erase it securely so nobody can recover anything. Secure erase hard drive using the Wipe feature of EaseUS Partition Master, completely removing all data on the device.

Conclusion

Cloning your SSD to a newer M.2 SSD is a straightforward process, and upgrading your storage can improve speed, capacity, and overall performance. You'll complete the process without any issues by following the steps above, including downloading reliable cloning software and properly setting up your new SSD.

Whether you're upgrading for more storage or faster load times, EaseUS Partition Master Free Edition is a trusted tool that simplifies the entire operation. Follow the steps carefully, and remember to configure the boot partition if your cloned SSD includes an OS.

FAQs of Cloning SSD to M.2 Free

Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the cloning of SSDs:

1. How do you clone an NMVe SSD if the computer has only one slot?

You can even connect a new NVMe SSD to the system via USB if your computer has only one slot for an NVMe SSD because there are external SSD enclosures. They act as an adapter, allowing me to do the cloning externally. After cloning, just swap the old SSD for the new one and boot the system from the cloned drive.

2. Is there free SSD cloning software?

Yes, there are entirely free SSD cloning software options available. One of the most reliable choices is EaseUS Partition Master Free Edition, which offers a Copy Partition feature capable of cloning data, operating systems, and files to a new SSD without data loss. Make sure you download from a trusted source.

3. Can I use an M.2 SSD only on the computer?

Not all computers support M.2 SSDs. Make sure that the motherboard you have supports M.2 drives. If your motherboard has an M.2 slot, there is also a variant called SATA or NVMe, and then you should pay attention to whether the drive is compatible with the slot type for the best performance.