AOMEI Partition Assistant
[Step-by-Step Guide] How to Add An SSD to A PC
How to add an SSD to a PC if you want to improve your computer performance via new SSD? You can read this article to learn how to install an SSD and how to set it for your PC.
By Lucas / Updated on February 19, 2025
Upgrading your PC with an SSD is one of the most effective ways to boost performance. Whether you’re looking to add an SSD to a desktop PC or install an M.2 SSD, this guide will walk you through the process. We’ll also cover how to set up your new SSD and use it as your system disk without reinstalling Windows.
Why choose an SSD for PC upgrade?
Solid-state drives (SSDs) have revolutionized storage technology, offering significant advantages over traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). Here are some key benefits of adding an SSD to your PC:
- Faster Speeds: SSDs provide lightning-fast read and write speeds, reducing boot time and improving overall system responsiveness.
- Durability: With no moving parts, SSDs are more resistant to physical damage and wear.
- Energy Efficiency: SSDs consume less power, making them ideal for laptops and energy-conscious users.
- Compact Design: Especially with M.2 SSDs, the compact form factor allows for easy installation in modern PCs.
Whether you’re adding an M.2 SSD to a PC or installing a 2.5-inch SATA SSD, the performance boost is undeniable.
How to add an SSD to a PC: detailed steps guide
In this part, we’ll show you how to install an SSD and how to set it for different usage.
Stage 1. Install an SSD on a PC
Installing an SSD is a straightforward process, but it varies slightly depending on the type of SSD and your PC’s configuration. Below, we’ll cover the steps for installing an SSD on a PC.
Step 1: Choose the Right SSD
Before you begin, ensure you’ve selected the correct SSD for your needs. Common types include:
- 2.5-inch SATA SSD: Ideal for most desktops and laptops.
- M.2 SSD: A compact form factor that connects directly to the motherboard.
Step 2: Gather Necessary Tools
You’ll need a few basic tools:
- A screwdriver.
- SATA cables (for 2.5-inch SSDs).
- An external drive (for data migration, if needed).
Step 3: Install the SSD
✨ For 2.5-inch SATA SSDs:
Step 1. After powering down your PC, open the case, and find the SSD power input interface which is flat type.
Step 2. Find the SSD data input/output interface, i.e. SATA cable. It‘s also flat type, and narrower than the power cord, and connects these two to the corresponding interface.
Step 3. Put SSD inside the chassis and close it.
Step 4. Turn on your PC, and check if the system recognizes it or not.
🌟 For M.2 SSDs:
Step 1. Power off your PC and unplug it.
Step 2. Locate the M.2 slot on your motherboard.
Step 3. Insert the M.2 SSD at a 30-degree angle and secure it with a screw.
Stage 2. How to Set Up the New SSD on the PC
Once the SSD is physically installed, you’ll need to configure it in Windows.
Step 1: Initialize the SSD
Step 1. Right-click “My Computer/This PC”, and select “Manage” to open the window, then click on “Storage” > “Disk Management”.
Step 2. Right-click the new SSD and choose “Initialize Disk”.
Step 3. In the next window, choose a proper partition style for your SSD and click on “OK”.
Note: If your original system is Windows 11, please initialize the new SSD into the GPT partition scheme because Windows 11 requires UEFI boot mode which only matches the GPT partition style.
Step 2: Create a Partition
Step 1. Right-click the unallocated space and select New Simple Volume.
Step 2. Follow the wizard to assign a drive letter and format the partition (NTFS is recommended).
Further Tips: How to Use the New SSD as System Disk Without Reinstalling Windows
If you want to use your new SSD as the system disk without reinstalling Windows, you can clone your existing system drive to the SSD. AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is an excellent tool for this task. It is a powerful disk management tool that allows you to clone disks, resize partitions, and migrate your operating system to a new drive without reinstalling Windows.
This tool has 2 ways to help you install SSD on PC without reinstalling Windows:
◤ Option 1. Disk Clone Wizard
The “Disk Clone Wizard” function can clone all files on the disk to another. The cloned disk is the same as the original disk.
There are 2 methods to clone disk:
• “Clone Disk Quickly” only copies the used sectors to the destination location, allowing the target disk smaller than the total size of the source disk.
• “Sector-by-Sector Clone” will copy all sectors to the target disk, so the destination disk must be equal to or larger than the source disk.
◤ Option 2. Migrate OS to SSD
For users who want to keep only a customized Windows system, you can choose “Migrate OS to SSD”. This function only transfers system and system-related files to make sure the system can smoothly boot from the new disk.
Both options allow users to align SSD partitions to optimize SSD performance and resize partition size during the cloning process.
100% SecureWay 1. Clone system disk to SSD
Step 1. In the main interface of AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, click "Clone" in the main interface, and select "Clone Disk".
Step 2. Choose the Windows system drive as the source disk and click "Next".
Step 3. Select the SSD drive as the destination 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.
You can 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 the SSD.
Step 6. Read the subsequent boot note, click “Finish” and then click “Apply” to execute the pending operation.
Way 2. Clone only Windows system to SSD
Step 1. Open AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. Click “Clone” on in the top toolbar, and choose “Migrate OS”.
Step 2. Choose an unallocated space on the SSD drive. If there are partitions on it, tick "I want to delete all partitions..." to generate unallocated space and click “Next”.
Step 3. In this window, you can resize the partition as you need, then click “Next”.
Step 4. A note on how to boot from the destination disk will appear, read it carefully and click “Finish”.
Step 5. Click “Apply” to commit the Windows system clone to SSD operation.
How to Boot from the Newly-set SSD
After you install Windows on SSD via cloning, to boot from the SSD, you’ll need to change the boot order in BIOS.
Step 1. Restart the computer and constantly press the F2 key (or other keys like Del, F8, and F12) to access the BIOS menu.
Step 2. Use the arrow key to select the Boot tab. System devices will appear in order of priority.
Step 3. To give the cloned SSD a boot priority over other hard drives, move it to the first position in the list.
Final lines
This is how to add an SSD to a PC. You see, an SSD to your PC is a game-changer, offering faster speeds, improved durability, and better energy efficiency. Whether you’re installing an SSD in a PC or adding an M.2 SSD, the process is simple and rewarding. With tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, you can even migrate your system to the new SSD without reinstalling Windows.
FAQs about add an SSD to a PC
1. Can I add an SSD to my PC without removing the existing HDD?
Yes, you can keep your existing HDD and use the SSD as a secondary drive or for your operating system. This setup allows you to enjoy the speed of an SSD while retaining the storage capacity of your HDD.
2. Do I need to reinstall Windows after adding an SSD?
No, you don’t need to reinstall Windows. You can clone your existing system drive to the SSD using tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, making the transition seamless.
3. How do I check if my PC supports M.2 SSDs?
Check your motherboard’s specifications to see if it has an M.2 slot. You can also open your PC case and look for a small, horizontal slot labeled “M.2” on the motherboard.
