[Solved] How to Perform M.2 SSD Windows 11 Install

About M.2 SSD Windows 11 install

Windows 11 is the latest Windows system launched by Microsoft in 2021, it is called "the comprehensive visual rejuvenation of Windows". With the flexible reflection and a beautiful interface, it is deeply loved by users.

An M.2 SSD is a common SSD, it has the same form factor as a USB memory stick. Compared with mSATA SSD, M.2 SSD is smaller, so it is widely used for laptop storage. Additionally, M.2 SSD is faster and have much less latency than the mSATA SSD.

For a better computer experience, many users intend to install Windows 11 on M.2 SSD. How to install Windows 11 on new M.2 SSD? Read on, you will find out the answer.

M.2 SSD Windows11 Install (2 ways)

If you don't know how to install Windows 11 on M.2 SSD, please read the following carefully. We will provide different Windows 11 installation methods according to different situations. 

★ Method 1. Upgrade current Windows 10 to Windows 11

When you want to install Windows 11 on the current M.2 SSD, you can upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10.

Note: Windows 11 only supports UEFI boot mode and GPT system disk. So before installing Windows 11 on M.2 SSD, you need to convert MBR system disk to GPT.

Step 1. Open the Windows Settings. In the new popped window, click "Update & Security", "Windows Update" and "Check for Updates".

Step 2. If the update option is available, click "Download and install".

Step 3. Follow the guidance, then wait for the Windows 11 installation on the SSD.

★ Method 2. Clean install Windows 11

If you want to clean install Windows 11 on a new M.2 SSD, you should initialize this disk and set it to GPT. Then, refer to the following steps. 

♪ Stage 1. Create Windows 11 installation media

We need to create Windows 11 installation media first.

Notes:
✍ Be aware of the power stability.
✍ Prepare a USB larger than 8GB.

Step 1. Download the Media Creation Tool from the official web.

Step 2. When you download it, open the installation package file. In the new Window, click "Accept" when you have read the license terms carefully.

Step 3. Select "Create installation media for another PC", and click "Next". In a new window, choose language, edition, and click "Next".

Step 4. The guidance will ask "choose which to use", you can tick "USB flash drive" or "ISO file". Here, we select the USB and click "Next".

Step 5. Wait for a while, when the Windows 11 installation USB is created, you can install Windows 11 with it.

♪ Stage 2. How to install Windows 11 with the installation media

After creating the Windows 11 installation media, you need to install Windows 11 on the M.2 SSD. This operation will overwrite all data on the M.2 SSD, so please back it up in advance.

Step 1. Connect the Windows 11 installation media to the PC. And enter BIOS settings to choose it as the boot drive.

Step 2. You will turn to the "Windows Setup" window, please set all the options and click "Next".

Step 3. In the new window, click "Install now".

Step 4. Choose "I don't have a product key". Then select an OS version and click "Next".

Step 5. Accept the License Terms and click "Next", then select the "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" option.

Step 6. Then, choose the hard drive to install Windows 11 and click "Next".

Step 7. Wait for some minutes, then reboot your PC.

Step 8. Now, you have successfully installed Windows 11 on the M.2 SSD. When the PC is reboot (It may reboot repeatedly. ), you can set and enjoy it.

Migrate Windows 11 to M.2 SSD with a reliable Windows mover

As you can see, manually clean installing Windows 11 is very complicated. If you want to implement M.2 SSD Windows 11 install, you can use the reliable OS Migrator - AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional to migrate Windows 11 to the target hard drive.

With a few clicks, its "Migrate OS" function can safely migrate Windows 11 and system-related files to M.2 SSD without reinstalling. And ensuring the migrated Windows 11 can be successfully started on the target disk.

In addition, it also provides you with some advanced functions to manage your hard drive, including Allocate free space, Disk Clone Wizard (Clone the whole hard drive to another one), App Mover, etc.

Notes: 
✌ If you want to migrate Windows Sever to another hard drive, the Server Edition can help you.
✌ Before the Windows migration, you should connect the M.2 SSD with Windows 11 PC and make sure it can be detected.

Step 1. Install and run this tool, then click "Clone"> "Migrate OS" in the top panel.

Step 2. In the small window, select the target disk and tick "I want to delete all partitions on this disk 2 to migrate system to the disk", then click "Next".

Step 3. Ajust the size of the target partitions and click "Next".

Step 4. Read the note carefully and click "Finish".

Step 5. Click "Apply" to start the Windows 11 migration.

Step 6. Install this M. 2 hard drive on the PC. Then you should change the boot drive: Restart the PC, then repeatedly hit one key of F1/F2/F3/F5/Esc to enter the UEFI settings. Then turn to "Boot" and click "Change boot order".

Verdict

In this tutorial, we shared 3 methods for you to to run M.2 SSD Windows 11 install. By comparising, the AOMEI Partition Assistant can be the easiest method.