This guide aims to help you complete the HP Pavilion SSD upgrade smoothly and effectively. It also introduces a reliable disk cloning tool that simplifies data migration and saves valuable time.
Yes — you can upgrade the SSD in most HP Pavilion laptops to increase storage capacity, improve performance, or replace a slower or smaller drive. The exact upgrade path depends on your specific Pavilion model, but the general possibilities are:
🔱 Replace the existing SSD: If your Pavilion already has an SSD installed (often an M.2 NVMe or SATA SSD), you can remove it and install a larger and/or faster SSD (e.g., upgrading from 256 GB to 1 TB or more). Many Pavilion models support replacing the M.2 SSD with another of the same form factor and interface type.
🔱 Swap HDD for SSD: If your Pavilion came originally with a hard disk drive (HDD) instead of an SSD, you can remove that HDD and replace it with a 2.5″ SATA SSD for a major speed boost.
🔱 Add a second SSD (if supported): Some Pavilion models include both an M.2 slot and a 2.5″ drive bay — letting you keep the original drive and add a second SSD. Whether your specific laptop has two storage slots depends on the internal design.
Here’s a clear checklist of what you should prepare before upgrading the SSD in your HP Pavilion laptop or desktop — this will help make the process smooth and avoid data loss, compatibility issues, or installation problems:
🔰 Choose a dependable cloning tool: Use reliable software to transfer all data from your HDD to the SSD without reinstalling Windows or any programs. AOMEI Partition Assistant is a trusted and widely used option.
🔰 Check SSD compatibility: Make sure the new SSD matches your HP Pavilion laptop in size and interface. Drive bays are usually labeled, or you can consult the user manual.
🔰 Back up important data: Protect your files by backing up both the original hard drive and the new SSD before starting the transfer.
🔰 Clean up the old drive: Remove unnecessary files, temporary data, and unused applications to speed up the cloning and upgrade process.
🔰 Prepare essential tools: Gather items like a SATA-to-USB cable or adapter to connect the SSD, and a screwdriver for replacing the old drive with the new one.
Selecting a reliable disk cloning tool is essential for transferring your OS and data from an old HDD to a new SSD without the need to reinstall anything.
AOMEI Partition Assistant is a practical and user-friendly solution for this task. Designed for both beginners and experienced users, it allows you to clone HDDs to SSDs, upgrade to larger drives, migrate NVMe SSDs to SATA SSDs, or move only the OS—all with just a few clicks.
✍ Key features include:
☁️ Wide compatibility: Supports nearly all HDDs and SSDs from different brands.
☁️ Fast cloning speed: Can transfer data at rates up to 30GB per minute.
☁️ Sector-by-sector cloning: Efficiently copies only used space, ideal for migrating to smaller SSDs.
☁️ Handles bad sectors: Capable of cloning drives even if they contain damaged sectors.
☁️ Windows support: Fully compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7, eliminating system compatibility concerns.
With these capabilities, AOMEI Partition Assistant provides a secure, efficient, and hassle-free way to upgrade your storage.
Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, click "Clone" in the main interface, and select "Clone Disk".
Step 2. Choose the hard disk that you need to clone as the source disk and click "Next".
Step 3. Select the destination disk to store the data on the source disk, and then click "Next".
Step 4. Then, you can check the source and destination disk in the next window or change to “Sector to Sector clone”, and click the "Confirm" button to continue if there is no problem.
Here, you can also click the "Settings" button to adjust the partition size on the destination disk or tick "4k alignment" to improve the reading and writing speed of SSD if the target disk is an SSD drive.
Step 5. At last, click "Apply" and "Proceed" in the main interface to start cloning the hard drive.
Once the cloning process is complete, the next step is to set the new SSD as the boot drive. First, determine whether your HP Pavilion laptop has one or two drive bays.
If your laptop has two slots, you can use the cloned SSD as the boot drive while keeping the old hard drive for additional storage.
Step 1: Restart the laptop and press F2, F8, or Del to access the BIOS.
Step 2: In the Boot menu, set the new SSD as the primary boot device.
Step 3: Save the changes and exit; the system will now boot from the SSD.
Step 4: Format the old hard drive and repurpose it for storing files such as videos, music, games, and documents.
If your laptop has only one slot, the old drive must be removed and replaced with the new SSD.
Step 1: Power off the laptop and disconnect all external devices and cables.
Step 2: Open the back cover using a screwdriver.
Step 3: Remove the battery and locate the drive slot on the motherboard.
Step 4: Take out the original drive and securely install the new SSD.
Step 5: Reinstall the battery and back cover, then power on the laptop; it should boot successfully from the new SSD.
🔎 Can I use my old HDD after installing an SSD in my HP Pavilion?
Yes, you can keep using your old HDD for additional storage or backups after installing an SSD in your HP Pavilion. Just make sure it’s properly connected and recognized in BIOS or Windows.
🔎 Do I need to reinstall Windows when upgrading to an SSD?
Not necessarily. You can clone your existing Windows installation from your HDD to the SSD, avoiding a full reinstall. However, a clean install often improves performance and reduces leftover system clutter.
🔎 Is NVMe SSD worth it over SATA for HP Pavilion laptops?
NVMe SSDs are significantly faster than SATA SSDs, especially for large file transfers and boot times. But for everyday tasks on HP Pavilion laptops, SATA SSDs are still sufficient and more cost-effective.
🔎 How long does it take to install an SSD?
Installing an SSD typically takes 15–45 minutes, depending on whether you’re cloning your old drive or doing a clean install. Hardware installation is usually quick; data migration or OS setup may take longer.
🔎 Will upgrading to an SSD improve battery life?
Upgrading to an SSD can slightly improve battery life because SSDs consume less power than traditional HDDs, especially under load, leading to longer usage per charge on HP Pavilion laptops.
Upgrading the SSD in an HP Pavilion is a straightforward way to boost speed, storage, and overall system responsiveness. With proper preparation, compatible hardware, and a reliable cloning tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant, you can complete the upgrade without reinstalling Windows. Whether you replace, add, or swap drives, the result is a faster, smoother, and more efficient laptop experience.