Create an NVME bootable drive without reinstalling the OS.
Create an NVME bootable drive without reinstalling the OS.
I purchased a Samsung 980 PRO for my new operating system. During installation, I connected my previous SATA SSD before switching to the new OS on NVMe. After setup and data transfer, I removed the old drive but noticed no bootable device in BIOS. Disabling Secure Boot didn’t help. Once I reinserted the old SATA drive, I regained the ability to switch between OSes on both SATA and NVMe. Is there a method to use only NVMe as the boot device without having to reinstall everything again? (I’ve spent several days on this and don’t want to start over.)
This tutorial explains how to add a new EFI boot partition. https://www.tenforums.com/installation-u...post698505
The boot partition for Windows appears in your previous storage device, with commands available to set up an EFI partition on the MVME and transfer boot files. A more straightforward approach is to swap out the old drive and install a Windows USB over your current Windows setup, which will place the EFI and boot files on the NVME. Another option involves using software like Macrium Reflect Free to create images of both EFI and NVME partitions, then restore them onto the NVME and apply the 'fix boot' feature to ensure compatibility. For future ease, it’s wise to disconnect all drives except the one you intend to use before installation.
You should verify BIOS options related to Secure Boot and CMOS settings before installation. Disable Secure Boot if needed, as it’s often grayed out. Ensure CMOS is set correctly to retain your boot settings. Consult your motherboard manual for exact steps.
Various makers offer different choices for secure boot and CSM. My setup works with a USB stick, secure boot enabled and CSM turned off, but another system required secure boot disabled for successful boot. The safest approach is to check manufacturer FAQs or user discussions for guidance. Typically, for Windows 11 you should enable secure boot, as long as the NVMe is recognized in BIOS and during setup it should find the Windows boot entry, so no need to configure a boot disk in BIOS. Some devices include a one-time POST option—pressing F12 or F10 can let you use it for USB/Windows install drives, though the required key may differ or might not be available. With Windows 10, secure boot and CSM settings mainly affect which devices can start the system. Options can differ based on the maker and hardware, so it’s best to consult the relevant websites for specific details about your equipment.
I believe there may be an issue. I disconnected the old hard drive, connected a USB, but when I try to install Windows 11, it displays an error saying "this PC can't run Win11." If I turn on CSM, the setup screen shows something different when I boot from the USB stick.