How do I make my new SSD my primary SSD and keep the old one as a secondary SSD?

Solution 1:

I bought an M.2 NVME SSD that I want to install as my primary/boot drive. I currently have a 2.5" SSD in my PC that has a lot of stuff on it. How can I make the NVME SSD my primary drive and make my 2.5" SSD my secondary drive?

I have done this myself.

The best way for me and with reasonably easy to follow steps (although not the only way) is to temporarily remove the old SSD drive and install the new drive.

Having only one drive in the system prevents Windows from thinking it needs two drives to start up.

Install Windows, set it up with Apps and data (which I assumed you backed up from the old drive).

Note: Installing Windows fresh takes a bit more time now, but I prefer this to cloning an older system and bringing errors over. This will pay off down the road.

When done, do a final restart to ensure all works.

Now put the old SSD back. If a System Disk, format it to eliminate System Disk conflicts.

This has always worked for me.