I'm looking to transfer everything from my PC's hard drive to a new NVMe M.2 drive. What's the most effective method to accomplish this? Do I just copy and paste, or is there a better solution out there?
3 Answers
If you're using a Samsung NVMe drive, it’s super easy to clone everything over quickly. Their software is made for that, and it speeds things up significantly!
For moving data files, a simple copy and paste will work just fine. However, if you want to transfer executables or your operating system, using a disk cloning tool is the way to go. I've been using Macrium Reflect for years, and it's solid for this purpose. Just make sure the new M.2 drive is either the same size or larger than the old one.
If you're looking for the best option, I'd recommend starting fresh with a new OS installation on the NVMe. This way, you can get rid of all the unnecessary Windows features, pre-installed apps, and junk. You can create a bootable USB drive with Rufus for this. After that, just manually copy your user files over. But if you want an easier path, cloning software like Macrium Reflect, Clonezilla, or even Samsung's own migration tool will save you a ton of hassle. Just remember to check your BIOS settings afterward to make sure everything is set up correctly.
So, should I clean the M.2 and install the OS there first before moving my files over?