How to Install & Format your M.2 NVMe SSD

How to Install & Format your M.2 NVMe SSD

This article should be considered a supplement (and not a replacement) to the installation guide that was included with the SSD you purchased. We recommend going through the installation instruction carefully before starting the install process.

1. Review your SSD installation instructions.
2. Confirm your computer’s motherboard is compatible with an M.2 PCIe NVMe drive.
3. Make sure your SSD key is compatible with the socket slot.
4. Grab a screwdriver.
5. Before removing the SSD from its antistatic sleeve, make sure to ground yourself. We recommend using a anti-static bracelet.
6. For brand new builds, start by booting up your computer.
7. While the computer is booting, access the BIOS setup and ensure that a PCIe device is set for the boot sequence.
8. Once complete, power your computer down.
9. Insert the drive into the M.2 PCIe slot.
10. Connect the pins at a 30° angle.
11. Press the end down flush with the screw mount and fasten the screw.
12. Power on your computer with your Windows OS disc loaded.
13. Start the operating system installation process once the computer loads.
14. Follow the prompts and designate your install drive by confirming the capacity.
15. Select the drive and select “New”.
16. Proceed with the default settings.
17. If this isn’t a new PC build, you’ll need to format the drive in the Disk Management utility. To access this, right click the Windows Start Button.
18. Your drive will show up as unallocated space, right click and choose “New Simple Volume”.
19.  Follow the formatting prompts and choose your drive labels and settings.

Replacing Your Old Drive With a New One

If you plan on replacing your old drive with your new SSD, you’ll need to migrate all your data using Seagate’s DiscWizard software, which comes with every drive and is also available for a complimentary download.

1. Install DiscWizard.
2. On the DiscWizard Home Screen, click “Tools & Utilities” and then “Clone Disk”.
3. Select “Recover” and install it on your new SSD.
4. Select “Automatic Mode”.
5. Choose your old disk as your “Source Disk” and click “Next”.
6. Select your new SSD as the “Destination Disk” and click “Next”.
7.  Confirm that all partitions can be erased and click “OK”.

Extend the Lifespan

Finally, we recommend you download and install Seagate’s SeaTools application—which lets you monitor the health of your new SSD and schedule regular maintenance check ups to maximize its lifespan. You can download SeaTools here.

Now you should be all set with ferocious speeds, low latency, and superior performance. Let’s get gaming!

For more tips and tricks on how to optimize all your gaming needs, check out more videos at Inside Gaming with Seagate.

Thanks for reading and happy gaming ✌