How to Upgrade to a new M.2 SSD In Windows (or Replace an Existing SSD)
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- Опубликовано: 5 авг 2024
- I purchased a new 1TB M.2 SSD to replace the 500GB one in my laptop. I'll be using it as a secondary drive so here's a video on how to install it and set up the new drive in Windows.
Links to the SSDs in the video: (Amazon Affiliate Links so thanks for clicking!)
WD SN750 SE 1TB:
amzn.to/3yoXdHG
Samsung 980 500GB:
amzn.to/3Eu00mJ
Time stamps:
00:00 Replacing the SSD
02:02 Setup in Windows 
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Love that you show both the hardware and software steps. Your videos are always very clear and to the point. Very helpful. Thanks!
Thank you!!! I got the bracket and SSD today and used your video as a guide 🙏🏾🙌🏾
Great video. Nice, clear and simple. Thanks
Thanks for watching!
Hey man, just watched your video. Super clear and concise! Just curious, the drive I am replacing is my C:Drive. Do these steps still remain the same? Or will I have to backup all of my windows and other programs to an external prior to replacing? And then move them over after I'm done. Thanks for any help in advance!
You’ll have to use cloning software to restore Windows and all your data to the new drive. I haven’t used it myself, but I hear Macrium Reflect is a good one and they offer a free trial. A new SSD will sometimes come with cloning software too or at least give you a link where you can download one in the box.
You can also reinstall Windows to the new SSD by making a Windows installer flash drive. You’ll lose all your data this way, but you may notice your PC running much faster with a new Windows install.
Hi there , great vid.
Just wondering though as I have bought a new laptop today (MSI Cyborg 15) and it only has 1 M.2 drive (512GB).
I also bought an upgrade M.2 drive (2TB) (same size and gen) and I replaced the 512GB one with the 2TB before i turned on the pc for the first time aswell as installing a 32GB Ram stick.
And it wouldnt go past the MSI bios screen.
I then removed the 2TB M.2 and put the original 512GB M.2 back in and now it loads normally to the select language screen.
So does this mean i have to go through the setting up phase on this m.2 first and set up a Microsoft or windows account and then copy the windows to a harddrive and then transfer to the new m.2 drive ?
Sorry for the late reply. I must have missed it in my comments section. You can either clone the original 512gb to the new 2tb drive or you can do a fresh install of windows directly onto the 2tb drive. Cloning is usually easier, but I like to do a fresh install because Windows usually runs faster.
Hi, I just saw your video and was helpful. But I have a little issue before I started to upgrade my ssd from (1tb) to (2tb)
I have two ssd in my pc and they all have same size one I installed windows on it and one I installed games and some files.. my question is I want to upgrade the second ssd that doesn't have windows on it but when I open my case I can't tell which one is for windows before I remove it.. is there any way to figure it out?
You can just try removing one and booting the pc up. If windows loads then it’s on the drive that’s attached. If it can’t find anything to boot it’ll just give you an error. Just remember to turn it off before adding or removing drives.
@@Loaded0 And if it gives me an error, I just have to shut down the pc and return the ssd? it won't harm anything after, right?
And thank you for your reply, I do appreciate it
Yes. After you put the SSD with Windows on it back in and turn it on it should boot into Windows again like normal.
I’m upgrading mine from a 500gig to 1TB but my mother board only has 1 M.2 slot.. I did the whole disk management and partition part. Basically the new ssd is not showing up in bios. I can’t have the old one plugged in at the same time bc there’s only 1 slot. I can’t even use my pc to get into settings with the new ssd installed, it’ll only let me get into bios which it’s not showing up as connected with the new ssd.
The new SSD won’t show up until you put an OS on it. You can either do a fresh install of Windows on it or if you have the old SSD with your data on it still you can put that one back in and clone it to the new SSD. Both are not difficult to do, but can take some time setting up. Also to clone the drive you’ll need an SSD enclosure.
Thanks for the reply, I’m going to buy the enclosure cloning kit and that should fix me up!
I have a m.2 ssd 500gb now and want to upgrade to a 2tb. Do I have to save all the mold info? How do I transfer if I need to . Another question the current m.2 has 3000 write speed and the new one is up to 5000 is that going to mess anything up? Thanks
You don’t have to transfer your old files if it’s not important to you. In fact, it’s often better start with a clean install of Windows sometimes. It does take a while to install Windows and all the required software though.
If you don’t want to do that you can clone the data off the old drive onto the new one. You’ll need to have both drives connected to the computer in some way and get software that can clone it for you.
As for the drive speed faster is better, but it’ll only go as fast as the laptop supports.
@@Loaded0 When i replace my current ssd with a new one, can i just take the old one out of my motherboard and put the new one in? Will my computer still work? And also, after doing this, how will i be able to install windows again?
You’ll need to install Windows after replacing the SSD since the new drive won’t have any data on it. I don’t have a tutorial for Windows installation, but it’s pretty easy to find. Search for “clean install Windows” and there should be a bunch of videos or website that’ll walk you through it.
Before you take out the old SSD though make sure you have logged into a Microsoft account so that after you reinstall Windows and log in again it’ll activate it for free.
After your new SSD is set up with Windows you should also get the latest Dell driver updates and software from their support website.
@@Loaded0Hi there , great vid.
Just wondering though as I have bought a new laptop today (MSI Cyborg 15) and it only has 1 M.2 drive (512GB).
I also bought an upgrade M.2 drive (2TB) (same size and gen) and I replaced the 512GB one with the 2TB before i turned on the pc for the first time aswell as installing a 32GB Ram stick.
And it wouldnt go past the MSI bios screen.
I then removed the 2TB M.2 and put the original 512GB M.2 back in and now it loads normally to the select language screen.
So does this mean i have to go through the setting up phase on this m.2 first and set up a Microsoft or windows account and then copy the windows to a harddrive and then transfer to the new m.2 drive ?
There’s a couple of ways to handle this but basically you need to get Windows on the new SSD.
1. You can clone the original 512gb drive to the new SSD. This is convenient because you won’t have to set up Windows again, but you’ll need to buy a compatible usb enclosure for the new SSD. You can look for free cloning software or see if the manufacturer of the new SSD has one available (usually they do) to make the process easier.
2. You can install a fresh version of Windows. You’ll need a usb thumb drive for this and Microsoft has an installation media creation tool you can use. This way is nice because you’ll have a fresh windows install which will run better, but you’ll have to take the time to install updated drivers and software from MSI and all your data will be erased.
Emergency Question:
After I ordered an SSD (Samsung 970 EVO Plus- 2280) for my Dell G515, I tried installing it. Then I ordered a mounting screw set, a magnetic screwdriver, and a mounting bracket with 2 screws (bracket looks like yours but screws are smaller) I am ready to install.
However, I'm confused and need these questions answered.
1) The mounting bracket looked like yours and doesn't have a way to fasten it in place. Does it just hold up the SSD and rest in place or is there a way to fasten it in place?
2) What screw should I use to fasten the SSD to the mounting bracket? How long was the screw you use? These are the options I have:
A) The 2 tiny screws that came with the bracket.
B) The larger ones from the screw mounting kit that have nuts and screws of various lengths.
3) Does the screw need a nut underneath or above it.
4) There is a cable from the battery to the fan underneath the space where the SSD goes. Do I move it or is there enough of a gap to leave it?
5) You said in your storage upgrade review that it doesn't need a heatsink for gaming if the new SSD is the secondary drive. Mine did not come with a heatsink and after I install a bunch of games on the secondary drive I'm going to use it to play those games. Do I still need a heatsink at some point or will the machine never run that hot?
The “wings” kind of hold it in place. I have another video that showed more closely how it worked. It should answer most of these questions.
ruclips.net/video/V62zQs6lf4U/видео.html
It’s around 19 minutes in. Use the chapter marks. Also use the tiny screws that came with the bracket.
The fan cable should be fine. The SSD kind of floats on top with the bracket on.
As for heat I haven’t had any problems without a heat sink. Especially with the Samsung drive it should be fine as they’re known to have low heat. Reading or writing a lot of data at for a while is what causes heat, but games tend to use bursts when loading and only trickle data at other times.
@@Loaded0 Thank you so much. Got it installed. Oddly enough the screws included with the bracket didn't fit but I had one from the screw kit that did. I think it's because the bracket I ordered was for another Dell Laptop (there were 8 models listed in the description). However, the 2280 size of the SSD would have be the same, so I went with that one. Plus all the others required international shipping. Could have ordered from Dell but the delivery time was 7 days. My experience is that it takes longer.
Anyway, all good. The only other question I have is how to change the Keyboard colours. For some reason the tabs in Alienware are greyed out. Either because of an update or because my model of the G515 is different than yours. Thanks again. Happy New Year.
Glad it worked for you. As for the keyboard there are some models that are only able to show one color (usually orange, but I’ve also heard white) so that one won’t have the FX tab enabled.
@@Loaded0 That explains it. Orange is all I got. Plus Alienware Command Centre only had Library and Fusion tabs. No other tabs.
Anyway, one more pressing question. Every time I use the laptop on Battery, the colours slightly change on the screen. Not a huge issue, but its annoying when I want to browse on battery and the screen looks washed out. Looks especially bad on greens and yellows on max brightness. I couldn't find a solution in colour profiles and when I called up Dell, they didn't have an answer. I don't know if its a setting in BIOS, Alienware, Nvidia Geoforce Experience, Windows Settings or a hidden battery saver setting, but it is annoying. If you have a solution let me know. I just want the colour profile to remain constant.
We might have a different screen too. My 165hz model doesn’t do that, but it could be a battery saving measure. Sounds like you’ve already tried everything, but I do remember seeing a setting in the AMD software called Vari-bright that you might want to check.
How to remove the battery connector it's tight ar I am scared I might break something 💀
Yes it’s fragile. Just have to be careful with it. If you’re just changing the ram or SSD though it’s ok to leave it connected. Just make sure the laptops is off and you don’t ground yourself so there’s no static.
@@Loaded0 I wanted to clean the fans.
I don’t know how dirty your fans are, but might be best just to blow some compressed air into the open parts of the fan and not dismantle the whole thing.
@@Loaded0 yeah cleaned the area that was visible with a brush.
I upgraded to faster RAM, put in a faster SSD, When I turn optimus off I noticed significant gains.
Yup, depends on the game, but it can help dramatically. I have an older video where I compared a few games with Optimus on and off.
@@Loaded0 it was by watching your video that I learnt what Optimus was.
Great, I’m glad it was useful. Thanks for watching.
@@Loaded0 also learnt that Ram upgrade could speed up your laptop by watching you.