Upgrading my 512 GB SSD to a 1tb SSD

Dear Delta,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community for help with upgrading your SSD on your HP Omen 16.

I understand that you're facing storage issues and have concerns about potential boot problems during the upgrade process.

I'll guide you through upgrading your 512GB NVMe SSD to a 1TB SSD, ensuring a smooth installation of Windows without using paid tools like Macrium Reflect.

Step 1: Backup Your Data

Before starting the upgrade, it's essential to back up all your important files and data to an external hard drive or cloud storage. This ensures you don't lose any personal data during the process.

Step 2: Prepare Windows Installation Media

Since you're replacing your only NVMe slot, you'll need to reinstall Windows on your new SSD. Here's how to create a Windows installation media:

• Download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool. This will allow you to create bootable Windows 11 installation media on a USB drive.

• Insert a USB drive with at least 8GB of free space. Make sure there are no important files on the drive as they will be deleted.

• Run the installation media creation tool and select the USB drive as the target. Follow the on-screen instructions to create the Windows 11 installation media.

Step 3: Physically Replace the SSD. Once your data is backed up and your installation media is ready, follow these steps to replace your SSD:

1. Turn off your HP Omen 16 and unplug it from any power sources.

2. Unscrew the screws on the back cover of your laptop with the appropriate screwdriver (make sure to handle the screws carefully).

3. Gently remove the cover to reveal the internal components.

4. Locate your current NVMe SSD (it should be near the battery or cooling components).

5. Remove the screw securing the SSD, and gently pull the drive out of the slot.

6. Insert your new 1TB SSD into the slot at an angle, and secure it with the same screw.

7. Once the SSD is secured, place the bottom cover back on and screw it in.

Step 4: Install Windows on the New SSD

After the hardware swap, you’ll need to install Windows on the new drive:

How to: Perform a Custom Installation of Windows 11 and Windows 10 or - Microsoft Community

1. Turn on your laptop and press Esc or F10 repeatedly to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings.

2. In the BIOS, make sure the USB drive (your installation media) is selected as the primary boot device.

3. Save changes in BIOS, exit, and boot from the USB drive.

4. Follow the prompts to install Windows on your new 1TB SSD.

5. When asked where to install Windows, select the new SSD.

6. Once Windows is installed, remove the USB drive and restart your laptop. It should now boot from the new SSD.

Optional: Using Free Cloning Tools

If you prefer to clone your existing SSD to the new one, you can use a free tool like AOMEI Backupper or Clonezilla. However, this requires a USB to NVMe adapter/enclosure to connect both SSDs at the same time. I have not verified the usability of these tools, so please try them with caution.

By following these steps, you should be able to upgrade your SSD without running into major issues. If you face any specific problems, feel free to reach out for further assistance.

Best Regards,

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Hi, I am Dave, I will help you with this.

If you cannot connect both drives to your laptop at the same time, then you cannot clone the old drive onto the new drive, unless you can connect the drive in an external drive case.

If you can connect both drives that way, then you could use something like the free version of CloneZilla.

Otherwise, you would need to backup your files and create a bootable USB, then boot your PC from that to clean install Windows