Cloning M.2 C: Drive to a Larger M.2 Drive on a Single M.2 Slot

Cloning your M.2 C: drive hosting Windows to a new, larger M.2 drive can be a bit challenging, especially when you only have one M.2 slot. However, with the right tools and methods, the process can be straightforward. This guide will walk you through the steps, from choosing the right method to executing the clone using Clonezilla.

Options for Cloning

There are a couple of methods to clone your M.2 C: drive:

1. Using an External M.2 to USB Enclosure

One method is to use an external M.2 to USB enclosure. Insert your new larger M.2 drive into the enclosure and connect it to your PC via a USB port. This will allow you to boot from another USB stick with Clonezilla and clone the C: drive to the new drive within the enclosure.

2. Using a USB to M.2 Adapter

Another option is to use a USB to M.2 adapter. This method eliminates the need for an intermediate drive. Here's how you can do it:

Choose a USB to M.2 Adapter: You'll need a USB to M.2 adapter, such as the one provided by XYZ Company. Connect the New Drive: Place the new M.2 drive into the adapter and connect it to your PC via a USB port. Select a Cloning Tool: You can use software like DiskGenius or Macrium Reflect to clone the C: drive. With Macrium, select "Clone this disk" and choose the external drive as the destination. Swap Drives: Swap out the old C: drive with the new one. Keep in mind that you may need to configure the BIOS to boot from the new drive. Copy the Disk Image: After cloning, you might want to keep a copy of the image in case you need to restore the drive later. Compress and save the image file.

Cloning Process Using Clonezilla

Clonezilla is a powerful, open-source partition and disk imaging software that can be used for this process. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use it:

Step 1: Prepare the USB Stick

First, you'll need to place Clonezilla on a USB stick. Use a tool like Balena Etcher to create a bootable USB stick with Clonezilla's ISO image.

Step 2: Boot from the USB Stick

Insert the Clonezilla USB stick into your PC and boot from it. You might need to change the BIOS settings to boot from USB.

Step 3: Create a Disk Image

Use Clonezilla's menu to create an image of the M.2 drive, including all the partitions. You can save this image to any of your other disks that have enough free space.

Step 4: Restore and Expand Partitions

Once you've turned off the machine and installed the new M.2 drive, reboot again from the USB stick. This time, use Clonezilla to restore the image to the new M.2 drive. Choose the expand option to enlarge one or more of the partitions to use the available extra space.

Step 5: Backup the Image

Keep the image file as a backup. It's compressed, so it won't take up too much space. This will come in handy if you need to restore the drive in the future.

Conclusion

Cloning an M.2 C: drive to a larger M.2 drive, while challenging, is possible with the right tools and steps. Whether you choose to use an external M.2 to USB enclosure or a USB to M.2 adapter, the process is relatively straightforward when guided by a tool like Clonezilla. Whether you're updating your system storage or ensuring data integrity, the steps outlined above can help you achieve your goals.