How to Install an NVMe or SATA M.2 SSD in a PC

Learn how to install an M.2 Solid State Drive (SSD) into a PC in minutes with this detailed step-by-step guide!

M.2 SSD's typically support one of two interfaces including PCI-Express (PCIe) and SATA. An amazing feature of M.2 SSD's is their ability to support PCIe-based non-volatile memory express (NVMe) which can take advantage of the blistering speeds of PCIe.

Another advantage of M.2 Drives is that they don't require any external power connectors or data transfer cables. This means the installation process is quite simple and it keeps your system looking neat and clean thanks to reduced clutter.

This video will also show you how to initialize and format a newly installed drive in a Windows 10 or 11 PC.

Shop SSD's:

Looking to install hard drives or 2.5" SSD's? Check out this video:

This is the second video in a new series on this channel that focuses on basic PC building and upgrading. If you have questions or ideas for future video topics, let me know in the comments!

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[louisiannna]

You're a lifesaver. I know next to nothing about PCs, which is probably why I had to buy a 2TB SSD immediately after ordering a custom-built PC with only 512GB SSD rather than the 2TB SSD I had meant to order. I never thought I'd be able to actually do this stuff on my own, but your video was completely straightforward, not intimidating at all, very well explained, and well-paced. Thanks so much :)

[Lolo]

The first video I find that explains the whole process in the simplest way. Some youtubers refer to the bios, most don't even show how to plug the ssd in the socket. Bravo and thanks

[jackwong]

FINALLY! someone shows what to do in the OS after you've physically installed it! thanks!

[StrawberryTShorts]

This is my very first pc, I know NOTHING about pc’s and the motherboard systems everything. I knew I needed more space and to be able to separate my games from videos and system things. I have a LOT of games I will be playing/ streaming on twitch and BOY was this the easiest and the exact tutorial I needed, thank you for being the only one I could actually do what I need to.

[glizzittv]

After installing the SSD I was so very confused on why it wasnt popping up, thank you for helping me fix that simple mistake that could've costed me my whole computer!

[gopenguin]

Followed your instructions and it worked FLAWLESSLY first try. Thank you for making a video without garbage fluff and just the facts.

[Machinex]

Thanks a lot - I was concerned at first because my NVMe did not show up as "Unassigned" like yours did - I had to scroll down first. So if there is anyone with a similar issue just scroll down and you will see the unassigned partition.

So happy to finally follow a guide where it actually works lol!

[JohnDL]

Great tutorial. Thank you. It always amazes me how small the M.2 drives are when you take them out of the box. Such an improvement over the old technologies.

[JerryOviedo]

Dude! I’ve changed way too many SSDs but NEVER an NVME. You made it super simple to understand. It took a few minutes to take out the old one and put in the new one! Than you man!

[MiguelSilva-kvdo]

what a great and straightforward explanation, keep this series going man, you're killing it

[DaPlop]

Dude! Great video! My cousin said he was gonna help me but ended up not being able to and this video just did the work for me and made it so simple. I was super stressed and worried about breaking the PC given the fact I knew nothing about them since I just got into PC gaming. Super thankful and glad for this tutorial thank you and great job brother !

[JB-uelf]

So simple and straight to the point! No pointless talking. No time wasted. Just pure useful and helpful information thats clear and direct! THANK YOU!

[patricfriberg]

i was trying to find out how to do all this since im upgrading the system i built almost 5 years ago but... i have adhd and im a bit scatter-brained so i had no idea/didnt remember what i was doing or what i had done to build my computer. this video literally saved my new ssd from being destroyed. My motherboard didnt have the distance plug, so i would have just left the ssd flopping about semi erect (LOL) or just added a screw and bent the ssd, and i would have forgotten to reinstall the heat sink. fixing the partition was the easy part but i am so happy that it was in the video so i could double check how to do it. thank you so much for saving all of us from having to buy more new m2 sticks in the near future.

[FukUrUsernameRules]

Great video mate, no BS, nothing unnecessary to pad out the length. Keep it up!

[gretness]

YOU ARE THE MAN! I swear I put my M.2 in my PC and then check my GB and didn’t see anything new. I was gonna install different things to fix this problem. Thank you very much !

[Nealla]

THANK YOU!!! My son purchased a Samsung SSD for his gaming laptop and we did not know what to do with it! DONE AND in use! THANK YOU!

[suppressor]

Just installed a Crucial 1TB SSD in my DELL XPS with old HDD. Thanks to your video.

[nexusfaction]

TYSM im autistic and was having a nightmare of a time getting mine setup thankyou for the easy to follow explanations.

[jinxx_graves]

Picked up my first ssd and wasn’t sure how to go about it after getting it installed. Thanks very much!

[wademolinari]

Thank you even a year later you are out here saving us noobs