How to Install an NVMe^™ PCIe^® M.2 SSD

If you want to enhance the performance of your laptop, or extend the lifespan of an old PC, then consider installing a new SSD.  

Below you’ll find images and instructions on how to install an NVMe SSD by connecting it to your computer’s M.2 PCIe slot. 

Download a PDF copy of our installation guide.

Follow the steps below to speed up your storage!  

Looking for installation instructions for a different SSD form factor? Check here for instructions on installing an mSATA SSD, or visit SSD Support for all our drives. 

1. Clear a workspace and gather supplies 
   You'll need your computer, a ​screwdriver​​,​ your new Crucial SSD, and your computer's owner's manual. 
2. Back up important files
   Before installing, save any important files to an external storage drive, a USB flash drive, or cloud storage. 
3. Go slowly and deliberately
   Read each step thoroughly – your computer will likely look different than the ones shown, but the process is the same.  

NVMe SSD support and drivers are not available for Windows® 7. There is a hotfix available from Microsoft® that can be applied to natively-supported NVMe drives for Windows 7, or your computer or motherboard manufacturer may provide support. 

If you are installing your new NVMe SSD into a new computer, you can skip this step. However, if you are upgrading an existing computer, you should back up your important files before you begin.  

We have written a guide on how to back up your computer to an external hard drive. You might also want to check out our top ten easy backup tips. You can never be too careful with your data! 

1. Shut down your system 
   Turn off your computer completely. 
2. Remove the power cable and battery. 
   The battery removal step applies only to laptops when it's possible to remove the battery. To see how to remove the battery, refer to your owner's manual. Desktop computers will not have a battery.
3. Discharge residual power 
   If your laptop has a removable battery, remove it, and hold the power button for five seconds to discharge any electricity left in the system. 
4. Open the case 
   How you do this will vary from system to system, so consult your owner's manual for exact instructions. 
5. Ground yourself 
   Touch an unpainted metal surface to ground yourself. This protects your computer's ​components​ from the static electricity that's naturally present in your body - grounding is an extra safeguard. Wearing an antistatic wrist strap is also a wise precaution when working with PC components. 

6. Locate the M.2 PCIe slot 
7. This slot is usually easy to find in desktops, but in laptops the location will vary - it's typically under the bottom panel, or under the keyboard. Refer to your owner's manual for the exact location, as every system looks slightly different. 
8. Insert the SSD 
   Depending on your computer, there might be a heatsink or screw that needs to be removed prior to inserting your new NVMe PCIe SSD. If you have a thermal pad, be sure to remove the plastic cover before proceeding. 
   To insert your Crucial NVMe PCIe SSD, hold the SSD carefully by the sides. Do not touch the gold connector pins. Align the notches in the SSD with the ridges in the PCIe slot, then insert at a 30-degree angle. Do not force the connection. To secure the drive, it might be necessary to insert the screw into the provided mount on the motherboard. Do not overtighten the screw. 

8. Reassemble your system 
9. After the SSD is securely seated in the slot, put your computer back together and reconnect the battery if it was removed. Reattach the heatsink if you have one. 
10. Turn on your computer
    Turn on your computer. Unless you removed your old storage drive in a previous step, the computer is booting from the old drive. Part 3 will walk you through how to clone your data to use your new drive to boot up. 

With some motherboards, you might see some messages about configuring to increase speeds of NVMe SSDs, or about enabling and disabling shared bandwidth of SATA and NVMe ports.  

This is not a malfunction. You can configure your hardware for optimal performance and avoid malfunctions by obtaining detailed information about your motherboard from the manufacturer. 

The longest part of the SSD install process is copying everything from your old drive to your new SSD. Before you start, get a sense of how long this will take by referring to our chart below. 

1. Download the cloning software 
   On the computer with the SSD, go to www.crucial.com/clone to download the software that will copy your old drive to your new SSD. This software comes free with Crucial SSDs. 
2. Install the software you downloaded 
   Open the file you downloaded and accept all of the prompts. A screen will then pop up. Click Install. After installation is complete, start the application. 
3. Prepare to copy (clone) your data 
   You'll now see several options in the software. Select the Clone Disk option. You'll then be asked to select a clone mode. If you've never done this before, we recommend the Automatic method, then click the Next button. 

4. Select source and destination drives 
5. Your "source" drive is your existing drive (disk). Select it by clicking on it, then click Next. Now select your "destination" drive (your new SSD) and click Next. On the following screen, click Proceed to start copying your data. 
6. Wait for your data to copy 
   It'll take a while for everything to copy, but the Acronis software will keep you updated on the progress. 
7. Change your primary or boot drive 
   When everything has copied over, you'll need to tell your operating system to use your new SSD as the primary drive. This can be done by removing the old drive, which will force your system to use the new drive. Check your computer's owner's manual or contact the computer manufacturer for instructions on how to change the primary drive. 
8. Have some fun 
   See how fast your ​favorite​​ ​apps open when you click on them! Your SSD is installed, but you can make it even faster by enabling a special feature. 

You can use Storage Executive to see how much storage you’ve used, monitor your drive’s temperature, and enable the Momentum Cache feature, which makes many SSD operations up to ten times faster.  

1. Enable Storage Executive 
   This free software enables your SSD to receive performance updates and to improve the performance of your new SSD by using system resources to increase performance. 
2. Click on one of the "Download" buttons 
   Download times will vary based on your internet connection, but average 1-3 minutes. 
3. Install and run Storage Executive 
   Click on the file you just downloaded. If it doesn't open right away, double-click on it, then save it to your desktop and open it from there. Follow the onscreen prompts and instructions and start using the software. 
4. Enable Momentum Cache and make your SSD even faster 
   In the left menu, click on Momentum Cache. Enabling this feature forces your computer to restart, which is normal. The feature doesn't work with RAID arrays. 
   

Download the 64-bit version of the software if you have a 64-bit operating system, which would be most users. Download the 32-bit version if you have a 32-bit operating system.   

Not sure which one you have? Follow the steps in our chart below. 

If you see anything other than 64-bit, download the 32-bit version of the software.

Now that you’re an expert installer, watch out!  

Your friends and family might start asking you to do their installs ;)