M.2 sata III ssd as bootdrive

[nansur]

hi,

 I am planning to install an M.2 SATA III ssd to my laptop in adition to the1 TB SSHD that the laptop shipped with.

I want to load the windows on the ssd and make it the boot drive and use the HDD for storing media and other files.

Today i went to an HP service centre and confirmed that an M.2 SATA III ssd upgrade is possible and they will do it without any installation cost if I buy the ssd myself.

But the technician told me that the ssd cannot be set as boot drive as the preloaded windows 10 software that i have got cannot be transferred to the ssd.

I have done some research myself, and found out about clonig software from samsung that lets me clone my HDD to SSD.

But in this forum, I found out that there is no option in bios to set the ssd as the bootdrive and windows automatically boots from the preinstalled HDD.

I have a few questions regarding the issue

1. How to set ssd as the boot drive and hdd as the storage drive? Can u please provide a step by step guide?

2. If I use the cloning software, Will my official windows licence be void? I do not have any windows activation key as my laptop was preloaded with Windows 10 and Microsoft office home and student 2016 (lifetime)version.

3.If I clone hdd to the new ssd and format my hdd, will it cause problem with booting?

PS: As my laptop is new, I dont care about the data on the HDD and the preloaded windows and softwares only amount to approximately 90GB.

Hoping for a reply

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

You are getting some absolute garbage information here. Yes the M.2 SSD can be the bootdisk. This is a brand new 8th gen Intel Core machine. Since it is a new laptop anyway use the current setup with hard drive and make a usb factory reinstall thumb drive from the HP Recovery App. Get the M.2 disk and install it and remove the Hard drive temporarily while you do it. Run the HP installer routine with only the M.2 inside the computer. Once you get it up and booting and working the way you want you can put the HDD back in. Not sure what HP Service Center you are working with. Surprised that they will install 3rd party parts for you at all let alone free. Must not be in the USA?

[nansur]

Hi huffer,

Thank you for the quick and valuable reply.

I do agree that the service centre executive was  not very knowledgable about ssd upgradation.

I am a doctor by profession and do not have any experience in repairing laptops nor have any necessary tools.

I went to the Hp service centre so that i won't void my warranty.

Is it a good idea to give to a third party service centre that i know so that i can do the upgrade in the exact sequence that you mentioned?

Or is it possible for me to do the upgrade on my own?

Lastly, will using a third party ssd like the samsung evo 860 (m.2) void the warranty?

[Huffer]

Just because the Service Ceneter has some bad information does not mean they are not skilled technicians. I would get the Samsung 860 Evo and take it to them and tell them to proceed as I mentioned. The offer to install the SSD for free is too good to pass up. I suspect maybe they were willing to do the hardware part which is a 10-15 minute thing but not be responsible for reinstalling software which can be a long tedious process. 

[nansur]

Helllo David,

One last question.

If I use the HP recovery app to craete a usb recovery media disk, and use it to load windows on to the new ssd as you adviced, Will it install all the company installed drivers and softwatres on to the new ssd or will it just  be the OS?

My laptop shipped with Microsoft Office 2016 home and student life time version. And I am worreid about loosing the license.

[Huffer]

The HP recovery media will reinstall  HP drivers and apps. The Office 2016 is more problematic. If it had a Key Code you would have received a copy with the machine, or it can be recovered from the registry of the original installation with a Key Code miner program like Magical Jelly Bean or it may be activated through a Microsoft account in which case you can download and reactivate from Microsoft. I am not familiar with a lifetime Office license, however.