Question If i buy a smaller or bigger m.2 will the "cloning" perfectly clone my current os with all application ?

[Elezen]

If i buy a smaller or bigger m.2 will the "cloning" perfectly clone my current os with all application ? I mean do i need to re-install stuff like steam or other "programs"?
PS: Let say i have a 500gb ssd atm and want to clone it into a 500gb m.2 or 1tb m.2 will it work perfectly fine without re-installing stuff like steam..?

 

[mdd1963]

Cloning from SATA to NVME sometimes presents a few extra challenges...if you expect it to actually boot afterward...

AN older thread discusses it...
https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/how-i-finally-cloned-a-sata-ssd-to-m-2-ssd.3267997/

 

[Elezen]

Look like there alot of work to do here lol... >.<

 

[USAFRet]

Done properly, it works.

Read this for goinmg from a SATA drive to an NVMe drive:

Cloned to an NVMe M2 SSD and won't boot forum.macrium.com

And then:
-----------------------------
Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
-----------------------------
Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration, if a Samsung SSD)
Power off
Disconnect ALL drives except the current C and the new SSD
Power up
Run the Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration)
Select ALL the partitions on the existing C drive
Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD
This is to allow the system to try to boot from ONLY the SSD
Swap the SATA cables around so that the new drive is connected to the same SATA port as the old drive
Power up, and verify the BIOS boot order
If good, continue the power up

It should boot from the new drive, just like the old drive.
Maybe reboot a time or two, just to make sure.

If it works, and it should, all is good.

Later, reconnect the old drive and wipe all partitions on it.
This will probably require the commandline diskpart function, and the clean command.

Ask questions if anything is unclear.
-----------------------------

 

[Zer0b1ade]

I dont recommend cloning because m.2 drives are made to run in uefi mode in bios with a gpt partition instead of mbr, and windows 10 is made for uefi installation via DVD not USB. plus it enables the drive to run at full spec. mbr is too slow I'd rather fresh install to m.2 drive uefi enabled. and just transfer your files that you want to the new install....b4 deleting the old OS....and remember to get the security keys for your old windows user name just incase windows decides to encrypt your old drive.

M.2 nvme ssd no longer use sata and mbr so...please dont clone you wont get the insane speeds the drive is capable of if you dont use the gpt bootsect.

 

[USAFRet]

I dont recommend cloning because m.2 drives are made to run in uefi mode in bios with a gpt partition instead of mbr, and windows 10 is made for uefi installation via DVD not USB. plus it enables the drive to run at full spec. mbr is too slow I'd rather fresh install to m.2 drive uefi enabled. and just transfer your files that you want to the new install....b4 deleting the old OS....and remember to get the security keys for your old windows user name just incase windows decides to encrypt your old drive.

M.2 nvme ssd no longer use sata and mbr so...please dont clone you wont get the insane speeds the drive is capable of if you dont use the gpt bootsect.

Done properly, cloning is just fine.

How do you know his current drive is not gpt?