[SOLVED] Installing Windows 10 on M.2

[panmario131]

I need to install Windows 10 but I only own a copy of Windows 8.1, from which I upgraded to Windows 10 when the upgrade was for free. How do I install Windows 8.1 on the M.2, and can I still upgrade to Windows 10 for free?

 

[karenjoly]

Install the new drive and initialize/ format it in disk management.

If you want to copy the current windows 10 drive to the M.2 , then consider a clone. Use Macrium Reflect Free to clone the present drive to the M.2. Look here

http://knowledgebase.macrium.com/display/KNOW/Cloning+a+disk

Alternatively you can install windows on the M.2 and do so without worrying about 8.1. Your system will remain authorized by Microsoft. Use the steps set out here to create a media installation tool .

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/software-download/windows10

Before you start the install onto the new drive, however, remove the old drive from the system and then just boot from the usb tool.