How to increase SSD memory on a laptop without losing data

Has your laptop started to slow down and free disk space is melting like snow in spring? The reason most often lies in overcrowding SSD drive. Modern operating systems, games and programs require more and more space, and the standard 128-256 GB that comes with most budget models can no longer cope with the load. Fortunately, you can increase the SSD capacity yourself - without contacting a service center and losing data.

In this article we will look at all possible ways to expand memory: from replacing the disk with a more capacious one to adding a second drive (where supported). You will learn how to choose the right one SATA, M.2 SATA or NVMe SSD for your laptop model, transfer the system without reinstalling Windows, and avoid typical upgrade mistakes. We will pay special attention to the nuances of working with UEFI And Legacy BIOS, as well as optimizing the new disk for maximum performance.

1. How to determine the current SSD type and upgrade options

Before you run to the store for a new drive, you need to understand what SSD is installed in your laptop and what memory expansion options are available. The choice of a new disk and the method of installing it depend on this.

There are three main types of SSDs that can be in a laptop:

• 🔹 2.5" SATA SSD — standard form factor, connected via SATA III connector (up to 600 MB/s). Found in most laptops before 2018.
• 🔹 M.2 SATA - a compact module, but uses the same SATA protocol (speed up to 600 MB/s). Often installed in ultrabooks.
• 🔹 M.2 NVMe - a modern standard with a direct connection to PCIe (speed from 1500 to 7000 MB/s). Used in laptops since 2017.

To find out which drive you have installed:

1. Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Expand the tab Disk devices.
3. Copy the model name and find its characteristics on the Internet.

Also check if your laptop has free slot for second SSD. To do this:

• 🔧 Look at the specifications of your model on the manufacturer’s website (section Storage or Upgrade Options).
• 🔧 Use the utility HWiNFO — it will show all available slots M.2 And SATA.
• 🔧 Disassemble the laptop (if you have experience) and visually inspect the motherboard.

What do M.2 and SATA slots look like in a laptop?

The M.2 slot is a narrow connector with a key (cutout) - most often B+M (universal) or M (NVMe only). The SATA connector for a 2.5" drive looks like a wide port with an L-shaped connector. On some laptops (for example, Lenovo ThinkPad T480) there may be two M.2 slots: one for Wi-Fi, the other for SSD.

2. Choosing a new SSD: SATA vs NVMe, capacity and brands

Not only the amount of memory, but also laptop speed. For example, replacing an old SATA SSD on NVMe can speed up system boot by 3-5 times. Let's consider the key selection criteria.

2.1. Form factor and protocol

SSD type	Speed (read/write)	Compatibility	Price for 1 TB
2.5" SATA	500-550 MB/s	All laptops with SATA connector	from 5,000 ₽
M.2 SATA	500-550 MB/s	Laptops with M.2 connector (check the key!)	from 5,500 ₽
M.2 NVMe (PCIe 3.0 x4)	3000-3500 MB/s	Laptops from 2017 (check BIOS for support)	from 6,000 ₽
M.2 NVMe (PCIe 4.0 x4)	5000-7000 MB/s	Laptops with AMD Ryzen 4000+ or Intel 11th Gen+	from 8,000 ₽

A critical nuance: if your laptop only supports SATA, installing an NVMe SSD in the M.2 slot will not increase speed - the drive will operate in SATA mode. This is true for many budget models Acer Aspire, Asus Vivobook And HP Pavilion until 2019.

2.2. Capacity: how much do you need?

• 📁 500 GB - the minimum for comfortable work with Windows, office programs and several games.
• 📁 1 TB — the best option for most users (enough for games, photos, videos).
• 📁 2 TB+ — for professionals (video editing, 3D modeling) or film collectors.

Advice: if your budget is limited, it is better to take 1 TB SATA SSD instead of 500 GB NVMe — extra space is more important than speed for everyday tasks.

2.3. Recommended Brands

SSD reliability is determined controller and memory type (TLC vs QLC). The best options in terms of price/quality ratio:

• 🏆 Samsung 980 Pro (NVMe PCIe 4.0) - leader in speed, 5 years warranty.
• 🏆 WD Black SN850X (NVMe PCIe 4.0) - optimized for gamers.
• 🏆 Crucial P5 Plus (NVMe PCIe 4.0) - reliable and affordable.
• 💰 Kingston KC600 (SATA) is the best budget option for older laptops.
• 💰 ADATA Ultimate SU650 (SATA) - cheap, but with a low recording resource (QLC).

3. Cloning the system to a new SSD: step-by-step instructions

Transferring Windows and all data to a new disk is the most important step. Errors here can lead to loss of files or system inoperability. We will look at two reliable methods: using Macrium Reflect And Clonezilla.

3.1. Preparing for cloning

Before starting the procedure:

Connect the new SSD to the laptop via a USB adapter or install it in the second slot |

Download and install cloning software (Macrium Reflect Free or Clonezilla)|

Check the free space on the new disk (it should be more than occupied on the old one)|

Disable antivirus and programs running in the background|

Connect the laptop to a power source

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If your laptop doesn't have a second SSD slot, use USB-SATA adapter (costs ~500 ₽). For M.2 NVMe you will need an adapter with support PCIe (For example, ORICO M.2 NVMe Enclosure).

3.2. Cloning with Macrium Reflect (recommended for beginners)

1. Install and run Macrium Reflect Free.
2. Select the old drive in the main window and click Clone this disk.
3. Specify the new SSD as the target disk.
4. At the stage Copy Options select Sector by sector copy (if you need to copy everything exactly) or leave Intelligent Sector Copy (faster).
5. Click Next and wait for completion (may take 1-3 hours depending on the amount of data).

Important! After cloning don't disconnect the old drive — first check that the laptop boots from the new SSD.

3.3. Cloning with Clonezilla (for advanced users)

This utility is more complex, but supports more formats and works without installation (boots from a flash drive).

1. Download Clonezilla Live and write to a flash drive using Rufus.
2. Boot from the flash drive (in BIOS select USB-HDD in download priority).
3. Select device-device → Beginner mode → disk_to_local_disk.
4. Specify the source and destination disks (check the models carefully!).
5. Confirm the operations and wait for completion.

4. Physical replacement of SSD: disassembling the laptop and connecting

Installing a new drive requires care - especially if you've never taken a laptop apart before. Main risks: damage to cables, bending of contacts M.2 or loss of screws. We will analyze the process using popular models as an example.

4.1. Tools you'll need

• 🔧 Phillips screwdriver (usually PH00 or PH0).
• 🔧 Plastic spatula or pick for opening latches.
• 🔧 Antistatic bracelet (optional, but recommended for protection against static).
• 🔧 Thermal paste (if you remove the cooling system).

4.2. Step-by-step instructions for 2.5" SATA SSD

This process is the simplest:

1. Turn off the laptop and disconnect the battery (if it is removable).
2. Turn the laptop over and locate the hard drive cover (usually marked with a 🖥️ icon).
3. Unscrew the screws and carefully remove the old drive by pulling the tab.
4. Place the new SSD in the carrier (if present) and secure with screws.
5. Connect the drive to the SATA connector and secure the cover.

4.3. Installing M.2 SSD (SATA or NVMe)

It is important here not to confuse the slots and not damage the contacts:

1. Remove the bottom cover of the laptop (you may need to disconnect the battery).
2. Find a slot M.2 — it looks like a narrow connector with a lock.
3. Unscrew the locking screw (usually M2x3).
4. Insert the SSD at a 30° angle and press gently until it clicks.
5. Secure the drive with a screw and assemble the laptop.

4.4. Features for popular laptop models

Laptop model	SSD type	Replacement nuances
Lenovo ThinkPad T480/T490	M.2 NVMe + 2.5" SATA	Two slots: one for Wi-Fi, the other for SSD. To access 2.5" you need to remove the keyboard.
HP Pavilion 15	M.2 SATA/NVMe	M.2 slot can only support SATA (check in HWiNFO).
Asus ROG Strix/Zephyrus	M.2 NVMe (2 slots)	The second slot may be under the CPU thermal pad.
Acer Aspire 5	M.2 SATA or 2.5" SATA	The M.2 slot often works only in SATA mode.

What to do if the laptop does not see the new SSD?

1. Check whether the disk is inserted correctly (contacts must be clean).

2. Update BIOS to the latest version.

3. B Device Manager click Update hardware configuration.

4. If the disk is not initialized, go to Disk management (Win + X) and create a new volume.

5. BIOS setup and first boot from a new SSD

After installing the disk, you need to make sure that the laptop boots from it. If cloning was successful, the system should start automatically. If not, you will have to configure it manually BIOS/UEFI.

5.1. How to enter BIOS

Login keys vary by manufacturer:

• 🔑 Lenovo, Dell: F2 or F12.
• 🔑 HP, Asus: Esc → F10.
• 🔑 Acer: F2 or Del.
• 🔑 MSI: Del.

5.2. Setting boot priority

If the laptop does not boot from the new SSD:

1. Enter BIOS and find partition Boot.
2. Turn on UEFI Boot (if used GPT markup) or Legacy Support (for MBR).
3. In the list of boot devices (Boot Order) move the new SSD to the first place.
4. Save the settings (F10) and reboot.

1. Is it connected correctly (for M.2 - until it clicks).

2. Does your laptop support NVMe (if such a drive is installed).

3. Is the BIOS updated to the latest version?-->

5.3. Checking the system operation

After successful download:

• 🔍 Make sure all files and programs are in place.
• 🔍 Check the disk speed in CrystalDiskMark (for NVMe it should be >2000 MB/s).
• 🔍 Update your SSD drivers (especially for Samsung And WD).

1. Boot from the Windows installation flash drive.

2. Select System Restore → Command line.

3. Enter:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

4. Reboot.-->

6. Optimizing the new SSD for maximum performance

Even after a successful replacement, the drive may not operate at full capacity. To unlock its potential, you need to make a few settings in Windows and BIOS.

6.1. Enabling AHCI mode (for SATA SSD)

If the BIOS is set to IDE or RAID, the SSD speed will be limited. To enable AHCI:

1. Open Registry Editor (Win + R → regedit).
2. Follow the path:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\storahci

3. Set the parameter Start in meaning 0.
4. Reboot, go into BIOS and enable AHCI Mode.

6.2. Disabling defragmentation and indexing

An SSD does not need defragmentation - it only reduces the disk resource. To disable:

1. Open Disk Properties (RMB on SSD → Properties).
2. Uncheck Allow file indexing.
3. B Disk optimization (Win + R → dfrgui) disable automatic defragmentation for SSD.

6.3. Setting up the paging file and cache

For SSD we recommend:

• 🔧 Reduce the page file to 2-4 GB (if you have 16+ GB of RAM).
• 🔧 Disable Prefetch And Superfetch (via services.msc).
• 🔧 Enable TRIM (should be enabled by default on Windows 10/11).

fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify

If the result 0 — TRIM is enabled. If 1 - enter fsutil behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 0.-->

7. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes encounter problems when upgrading an SSD. We have collected TOP-5 errors and ways to solve them.

7.1. The laptop does not recognize the new SSD

Causes and solutions:

• ❌ The disk is not initialized → Go to Disk management and create a new volume.
• ❌ Incompatible protocol → Check if the laptop supports NVMe (via HWiNFO).
• ❌ Eating problems → Try a different SATA cable or adapter.

7.2. System does not boot after cloning

Possible reasons:

• ❌ Incorrect disk partitioning → Clone only to a disk with the same partition table (GPT or MBR).
• ❌ Boot record conflict → Disconnect your old SSD before booting for the first time.
• ❌ NVMe driver missing → For Windows 7, you need to integrate the driver into the system image.

How to integrate NVMe driver in Windows 7?

1. Download the driver for your SSD (for example, Samsung NVMe Driver).

2. Unzip it into a folder.

3. When installing Windows, click Downloading drivers and specify the path to the folder.

4. After installation, update the driver via Device Manager.

7.3. Low speed NVMe SSD

If the drive is running slower than the advertised speed:

• ⚡ Check if it is connected to the slot PCIe 3.0 x4 (not x2).
• ⚡ Update the SSD firmware via the manufacturer's utility (for example, Samsung Magician).
• ⚡ Disable in BIOS Secure Boot (sometimes it limits the speed).

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to install two SSDs in a laptop?

Yes, if the laptop has two slots. For example, many models Lenovo ThinkPad And Asus ROG support simultaneously M.2 NVMe And 2.5" SATA. Check your model's specifications or disassemble the laptop for a visual inspection.

Do I need to format the new SSD before cloning?

No, cloning software (eg. Macrium Reflect) will format the disk itself during the process. If formatting in advance, select a file system NTFS and markup GPT (for disks >2 TB).

How to transfer Windows from HDD to SSD without reinstalling?

Use cloning programs: Macrium Reflect Free, Clonezilla or AOMEI Backupper. The main thing is that the new SSD should be no smaller than the old one in volume (or at least no less than the occupied space). After cloning, disconnect the old disk and boot from the new one.

Why did the laptop start to get hotter after replacing the SSD?

NVMe SSD (especially models with PCIe 4.0) can reach temperatures up to 70°C under load. If the temperature exceeds 80°C:

• 🔥 Install a thermally conductive pad between the SSD and the heatsink (if the slot is under thermal paste).
• 🔥 Update the SSD firmware (sometimes solves the overheating problem).
• 🔥 Check the ventilation of the laptop - you may need to clean the dust.

Can I use an SSD from another laptop?

Yes, if:

• 🔄 The form factor is the same (for example, M.2 2280).
• 🔄 Protocol supported (for example, do not put NVMe into a slot that only works with SATA).
• 🔄 The disk is not tied to another device (for example, encryption BitLocker).

Before use, format the disk or clone your system to it.