How to Set SSD as Boot Drive [2022 Updated]

We've covered the complete process of preparing an SSD disk, migrating Windows OS to a new SSD, and making it the boot drive in Windows 11/10/8/7. To make Windows bootable on your new SSD without any issues, follow the steps we've outlined.

SSD

Applies to: All levels of Windows users, designed for beginners.

I'm ready when you are. What are the two questions you'd like to discuss?

Part 1. Prepare SSD
Part 2. Migrate Windows OS to SSD
Part 3. Configure and Make SSD as Boot Drive

How to Change Boot Drive to SSD in Windows 11/10

"I want to install a solid-1. Backup all your data on the 1TB hard drive. 2. Connect the SSD to your desktop computer.

To change the boot drive to SSD in Windows 11, you'll need to create a bootable USB drive, boot from it, and then follow the prompts to install Windows 11 on the SSD. You'll also need to move your current Windows installation to the SSD. This process will erase all data on the SSD, so make sure to back up any important files first. Once you've completed the process, you can then set the SSD as the primary boot drive in your BIOS settings. I can provide more detailed steps if you'd like.

Upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD) has become a popular choice for many, thanks to its faster reading and writing speed and higher stability. However, one drawback of SSDs is their typically smaller storage capacity compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). To strike a balance between performance and storage, combining a faster SSD with a larger HDD is an excellent solution for Windows PC users.

Typically, users prefer to use an SSD as their boot drive while storing personal data, files, and applications on a larger capacity HDD. To achieve this, you'll need to migrate the Windows system from the HDD to the SSD and then set the SSD as the boot drive.

To make your SSD bootable on Windows 11/10/8/7, etc. without any issues, read carefully and follow the steps. Even beginners can successfully complete this process.

Part 1. Prepare SSD

Before getting started, it's essential to prepare your SSD, regardless of whether it's new or old. This involves performing some necessary tasks in advance to ensure a smooth process.

Tools: 1. An SSD disk (with equal capacity to the used space on your system drive); 2. SSD connection cables; 3. A screwdriver.

Let's start getting your SSD ready:

1. Install SSDto PC

Use the screwdriver to remove computer case > Connect SSD to PC correctly via connection cables.

Add SSD to PC

2. Enable SSD in BIOS

To enable the SSD in BIOS, restart your PC, then press F2/F8/F11/DEL to enter the BIOS setup. Once inside, navigate to the relevant section, usually labeled as "Boot" or "Advanced Boot Options," and look for the SSD drive.

To fix the issue, you can try to boot from the Windows installation media, go to the installation menu, select "Repair your PC", and then select the option to "Add a drive" to add the new disk to the system. After this, you can restart the PC and you should be able to see the disk in Disk Management. Now, you can continue with the tutorials in Part 2.

Part 2. Migrate Windows 11/10 OS to SSD

If you need to fresh install Windows, follow the detailed guide at Install Windows 10 on SSD for assistance. Alternatively, if you prefer to switch your current Windows OS to an SSD, you can follow the tutorial steps provided.

Tools: System clone or system migrate software - Qiling Partition Master

To migrate your operating system to a new solid-state drive (SSD), you can perform a manual clone or use a partition manager for assistance. We recommend using Qiling Partition Master for a successful OS migration.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

This software allows any level of users to migrate their Windows system and boot partitions to an SSD at once using its "Migrate OS to SSD/HDD" feature.

Tutorial: Migrate OS from HDD to SSD

Make sure the SSD is empty with no partitions and data on it, or else you need to clear them all. Now follow the next steps and learn how to migrate OS to SSD.

Steps to migrate OS to HDD/SSD:

Run Qiling Partition Master, select System clone from the tools page.
Select the SSD or HDD as the destination disk and click Next.
Be aware that the data and partitions on the target disk will be erased. Make sure to back up any important data before proceeding. If you haven't backed up your data yet, do it now to avoid any potential loss.
Then click Continue.
Preview the layout of your target disk, then click Proceed to start migrating your OS to a new disk.

Note:When migrating an OS to a new SSD or HDD, be aware that it will erase existing partitions and data on the target disk if there's not enough unallocated space. Make sure to back up any important data on the target disk before proceeding.

After migrating your operating system to a new SSD, you still need to change the boot drive in Windows 11/10 from the old disk to the new SSD. This final step is necessary to ensure that your system boots from the correct drive. You can find detailed instructions on how to complete this process in the next section.

Part 3. How to Set SSD as Boot Drive in Windows 10

To ensure your PC boots from the SSD, whether you manually installed Windows 11/10 on it or used third-party software to migrate the system, you need to set the installed SSD as the boot drive. This allows your PC to start up from the SSD instead of the original hard drive.

Here are the steps to make SSD the boot drive on Windows 11/10 in one paragraph:

Step 1.Restart PC and press F2/F12/Del keys to enter BIOS.

Step 2. To change the boot order and set the new SSD as the primary boot device, go to the BIOS settings (usually by pressing F2, F12, or Del), navigate to the Boot Order or Advanced Boot Options menu, and select the new SSD as the primary boot device. Save the changes and exit the BIOS settings.

change bios order

Step 3.Save the changes, exit BIOS, and restart the PC.

Let the computer boot up patiently, and then you can use the new SSD as your OS disk successfully.

Tip: If you're cloning or migrating a source HDD or SSD that's using the MBR (Master Boot Record) format with a BIOS boot mode, but the cloned/migrated SSD is GPT (GUID Partition Table), you need to first set the SSD as the boot drive in the BIOS settings. After that, you can change the boot mode to EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) to ensure a proper startup.

Bonus Tips after Setting SSD as Boot Drive

If you're not tech-savvy, it's recommended to use a professional system clone or migration software to copy Windows to an SSD, avoiding potential boot issues due to boot partition loss.

Even after successfully migrating your system to an SSD and setting the boot order correctly in BIOS, you may still encounter issues.

Here are the top concerns of the community and some helpful links to address them:

#1. Cloned SSD won't boot

#2. How to Make Use of Old OS Disk

After migrating your operating system to a solid-state drive (SSD), you can use the Qiling Partition Master to create a bootable disk. You can then boot your PC from this disk, enter Qiling Partition Master, and safely delete the old system partition on your own.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

#3. How to optimize SSD performance

If you have further questions, you can either search our website or contact our technical support team at support@idiskhome.com to get help with any issues you're experiencing.

FAQs

If you have further questions, you can check the FAQs and answers here, as they may have the information you're looking for.

1. What is an SSD boot drive?

A boot drive is a storage device that contains the operating system and related files, as well as user data like profiles, installed programs, and application files.

A solid-state drive (SSD) boot drive is a disk that contains your operating system (OS), OS data, and personal data, allowing both Windows and Mac computers to load and boot up from it.

2. Does cloning a drive make it bootable?

Cloning a data drive results in a bootable copy of the original drive, allowing the cloned drive to be used as a bootable device. This means that the cloned drive can be used to boot a computer, and it will have the same operating system and software as the original drive. However, if you cloned a system drive, it's not bootable but only accessible for data storage. This is because the system drive contains the operating system and other system files that are specific to that computer, and cloning a system drive would not preserve the unique configuration of the original system.

If you clone an OS disk, it can be bootable by changing the boot order to prioritize the new disk, allowing the computer to boot from it.

3. How do I transfer my OS from HDD to SSD?

To transfer Windows OS from a hard disk drive (HDD) to a solid-state drive (SSD), you can use the Qiling Partition Master with its Migrate OS to HDD/SSD feature.