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Instructions for OS Transfer from SSD (250 gb) to M.2 nvme (1 Tb)

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I am attempting to move my primary hard drive from a SSD of 250 gb to an M.2 nvme of 1 tb. Can someone please point me in the direction of a guide or main steps to follow so I make sure I do a nice clean, thorough, and correct move? I have done a 250 gb to 250 gb move before a number of months ago. It was more trial and error and I want to make sure I have a certain protocol to follow. I appreciate it and thank you in advance.

Scott

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Ok, so I referenced the links that Steve you mentioned in the previous reply, so thank you very much.  I do want to try to do a restore and not clone.  So, the restore would be to the M.2 NVME, is there a guideline for that (i.e. do I simply use the acronis bootagble rescue media and use that to restore to the nvme and then after boot to that)?

Please advise.

Thanks.

Scott

Scott, more questions....

What is your OS here?

How does your OS boot from the BIOS, i.e. is this a UEFI or Legacy boot system?

Note:  NVMe requires UEFI to be supported and work correctly.

See KB 59877: Acronis True Image: how to distinguish between UEFI and Legacy BIOS boot modes of Acronis Bootable Media

Have you checked that your BIOS supports booting from NVMe M.2 drives?  And how to configure the BIOS to do so?

In terms of process, it is best to restore to the new NVMe M.2 drive with it installed inside the computer and with the original SATA drive removed, especially before attempting to boot from the NVMe drive.  The BIOS boot device should be the 'Windows Boot Manager' (from the new drive).

Thanks Steve please see answers below in Bold Italics.
 
Steve Smith wrote:

Scott, more questions....

What is your OS here?        Windows 10 Pro Version 1909 Build 18363.535

How does your OS boot from the BIOS, i.e. is this a UEFI or Legacy boot system?     UEFI

Note:  NVMe requires UEFI to be supported and work correctly.

See KB 59877: Acronis True Image: how to distinguish between UEFI and Legacy BIOS boot modes of Acronis Bootable Media

Have you checked that your BIOS supports booting from NVMe M.2 drives?         My motherboard does support NVMe M.2 drives, how would I confirm my BIOS can support booting from it?  Side note, I am up to the very latest of BIOS firmware, so I am assuming my BIOS should be able to handle?

And how to configure the BIOS to do so?    I know how to configure the boot order in the bios itself as well as how to how to change the boot order on initial boot up as well (F9).        

In terms of process, it is best to restore to the new NVMe M.2 drive with it installed inside the computer and with the original SATA drive removed, especially before attempting to boot from the NVMe drive.  The BIOS boot device should be the 'Windows Boot Manager' (from the new drive).     Got it, I just thought of something too, how to keep the new ssd as the c:\ drive?  I am assuming the restore process will help guide me to do that?

Scott, you would need to check the BIOS or motherboard support manual / site for confirmation that it supports booting from NVMe M.2 devices, but it sounds like it should do so.

The OS boot drive will always be shown as the C: drive by Microsoft design.

Steve, I was able to confirm that I can boot from the motherboard. 

The next steps then (i.e. do I use the acronis bootagble rescue media and use that to restore to the nvme and then after boot to that)?

Thanks.

Scott

Yes, but please do not boot with the old SATA SSD drive connected, and double check the BIOS is pointing to the Windows Boot Manager from the NVMe drive before booting.

Have you already installed the NVMe drive to pick up all required device drivers for the backup image you will be restoring?

Steve, I have not done anything yet.  I wanted to try and assemble some correct steps first before I embarked.  Based on a few posts you have previously provided and our recent dialogue, I have assembled the following, please correct me for changes as necessary, I thank you once again.

  1. Install the new NVMe SSD and boot from the previous and already established ssd sata III drive to Windows 10, this will allow any new hardware to be found, device drivers installed etc.  Basically ensuring that the NVMe is correctly recognized.
  2. Confirm that your motherboard supports the actual OS booting from an NVMe M.2.  Not just that it has the necessary slots available on the motherboard.  Consult your manual or contact vendor for confirmation.   
  3. Ensure that the current OS (on the ssd drive) that is being booted is in UEFI BIOS mode (use MSINFO32 to confirm) and that UEFI mode was in use during your previous backups.
  4. Next look for a correctly verified full c:\ drive backup with hidden partition(s) (if any), that you wish to restore to the new drive with.
  5. Check the UEFI BIOS settings, in particular for the Boot priority settings - needs to change these later to boot from the NVMe SSD copy of 'Windows Boot Manager'.  Make sure you can see NVMe as a choice.  This will ensure you can boot from it as well before actually starting the process.
  6. Follow step-by-step instructions "How To Recover Entire Disk Backup" (see attachment provided).
  7. Next, full shutdown of the computer, remove the old ssd sata III drive with OS.  Before attempting to boot from the NVMe SSD (restored drive), check that the BIOS Boot settings are now pointing to the newly OS formatted NVMe drive as the first boot order.  
  8. If all looks to be good after booting to Windows, then the original ssd sata III drive can now be reformatted and used as a secondary storage device.

***Side note, the use of the "backup and restore" method vs. the "clone method", allows multiple chances/trials to ensure correctness.  Will take the stress out.  The use of clone, is a one shot deal and if not done correctly and/or if an error happens, it can potentially compromise both OS's on both drives.

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks.

Scott

 

Attachment Size
525580-177840.pdf 719.56 KB

Scott, the only additional comment is that if any new hardware is detected in step 1 for which new device drivers are installed, then step 4 should be to create a new full disk backup of the OS drive if not already done.

Thanks Steve.  I have added accordingly, I think I should be good to go to attempt?

  1. Install the new NVMe SSD and boot from the previous and already established ssd sata III drive to Windows 10, this will allow any new hardware to be found, device drivers installed etc.  Basically ensuring that the NVMe is correctly recognized.
  2. Confirm that your motherboard supports the actual OS booting from an NVMe M.2.  Not just that it has the necessary slots available on the motherboard.  Consult your manual or contact vendor for confirmation.   
  3. Ensure that the current OS (on the ssd drive) that is being booted is in UEFI BIOS mode (use MSINFO32 to confirm) and that UEFI mode was in use during your previous backups.
  4. Next look for a correctly verified full c:\ drive backup with hidden partition(s) (if any), that you wish to restore to the new drive with (IMPORTANT NOTE:  If any new device drivers are detected in Step #1 above, then it important that you do a new fresh full drive backup to capture this information).
  5. Check the UEFI BIOS settings, in particular for the Boot priority settings - needs to change these later to boot from the NVMe SSD copy of 'Windows Boot Manager'.  Make sure you can see NVMe as a choice.  This will ensure you can boot from it as well before actually starting the process.
  6. Follow step-by-step instructions "How To Recover Entire Disk Backup" (see attachment provided).
  7. Next, full shutdown of the computer, remove the old ssd sata III drive with OS.  Before attempting to boot from the NVMe SSD (restored drive), check that the BIOS Boot settings are now pointing to the newly OS formatted NVMe drive as the first boot order.  
  8. If all looks to be good after booting to Windows, then the original ssd sata III drive can now be reformatted and used as a secondary storage device.

***Side note, the use of the "backup and restore" method vs. the "clone method", allows multiple chances/trials to ensure correctness.  Will take the stress out.  The use of clone, is a one shot deal and if not done correctly and/or if an error happens, it can potentially compromise both OS's on both drives.

Final Update:  I installed about a week ago, flawlessly.  Will keep these directions in mind again, down the road, when needed.

Thanks.

Scott

Scott, always glad to read of a successful conclusion to a project!  Thanks for the feedback.

Steve Smith wrote

Scott, always glad to read of a successful conclusion to a project!  Thanks for the feedback.

I wonder Steve if maybe we should pin the "instructions" I used to help others?  Spot on.

Thanks.

Scott