Share via

Can I move an internal ssd with windows to external?

Anonymous
2024-09-12T17:42:16+00:00

I have a Lenovo P15s with a single internal SSD running windows. I want to move the the ssd to an external caddy so I can still boot windows. Then put a new ssd inside for a new operating system.

I know how to change the boot order.

My question is can I choose to boot from either? Will Windows boot and run once the ssd is in the caddy? Will it have an issue going in and out of sleep. Thanks Ash

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Performance and system failures

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

1 answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Solamillo Charity 20,260 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-09-12T19:24:21+00:00

    Hello there! I am Charity, I'm an Independent Advisor. I'm glad to help you today!

    Yes, you can move an internal SSD to an external caddy and still boot Windows from it, but there are some things to consider.

    You can configure your Lenovo P15s to boot from the external SSD by adjusting the boot order in the BIOS or UEFI. As long as the external SSD is recognized by the system, you should be able to select it as a bootable device when needed. The key is to ensure the boot priority is set correctly in the BIOS.

    Windows should boot and run from the external SSD, but performance might vary compared to an internal SSD, especially depending on the connection type (e.g., USB 3.0 vs. Thunderbolt). Some users report slower read/write speeds compared to internal drives, but generally, SSDs are faster than traditional HDDs even in external enclosures.

    Also, Windows might have issues with sleep mode or hibernation when run from an external drive, especially if the USB connection is interrupted or if the drive enters power-saving mode. This could cause instability when resuming from sleep​.

    Please let me know if you have any more questions, I'll do my best to respond as soon as possible.

    Kind Regards,

    Charity (GMT+08:00)

    Please note that things might need more than one reply to completely resolve your issue, as it will completely depend on the complexity of the question and the amount of detail that you have provided me.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments