I have a 1TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus NVMe SSD installed in my desktop PC, and I'd like to use it for extra storage in my new gaming laptop. It mainly contains files and photos rather than an operating system. Windows Disk Management identifies it as a basic data partition. If the laptop has a compatible M.2 NVMe slot, can I simply remove the drive from the PC and install it in the laptop, or are there any other steps I need to take?
4 Answers
If there isn’t a spare internal slot, you can put the SSD in a USB NVMe enclosure instead. That lets you use it as external storage, although the actual speed will depend on the laptop’s USB port and the enclosure.
Yes, provided the laptop has an available M.2 slot that supports NVMe drives and accepts the SSD’s physical size, most commonly 2280. After installing it, Windows should detect the existing data partition without requiring you to format it. It’s still smart to back up anything important before moving the drive.
Before opening the laptop, check its manual or compatibility page for the supported M.2 length, NVMe support, and whether the second slot shares lanes or has any limitations. Also check whether installing a drive yourself affects the warranty. If the drive is only for files, an external enclosure is a convenient alternative and can even be used with other USB-C devices.
You may need to adjust file permissions if the files were tied to your old Windows account. If you can see the drive but get an access-denied message, take ownership of the affected folders and grant your current Windows account access. This is usually only an issue with protected folders, not ordinary photos and documents.
Would I make those permission changes on the new laptop after installing the drive, or should I do something on the old PC first?