[Top 2 Ways] How to Install Windows 11 on a New SSD

Do you want to know how to Install Windows 11 on a new SSD? It's a good idea for faster booting and a smoother computer experience. Luckily, I've got two simple methods to show you. Also, we will provide you solution on how to set up new SSD on Windows 11. Now,  let's dive into the full guide now.

What’s new on Windows 11?

Microsoft officially put out a conference about the Windows 11 system on June 24. In this meeting, Microsoft not only announced the update time of the Windows 11 system and the way to update but also made improvements to some of the changed features.

1. Interface design and user operation are under a comprehensive change. The start button, taskbar, fonts or icons have been fully optimized and adjusted to give you a better view.

2. New contact information. Whether it is iOS platform, Android platform or Windows platform. Users can communicate with all their contacts through various communication methods, on all platforms and devices in real time.

3. DirectX 12 Ultimate can give players a different gaming experience at a new frame rate. Also DirectStorage enables users to run games faster and more smoothly.

4. The Microsoft Store is fully improved where users can directly apply all kinds of programs, games, movies, and TVs. At the same time, you can apply Android applications directly in the system, from now on say goodbye to the computer emulator.

Advantages of installing Windows 11 to SSD

With all the new updates, plenty of users would like to experience the Windows 11 system. But compared with installing the new system on HDD, it is more suggested to install Windows 11 on SSD for the following reasons:

• It can greatly improve the system boot speed, shortening the time from a few minutes to ten seconds.
• It can also speed up the Windows system when it is running, making the whole system faster.

However, installing a system on an SSD can be a time-consuming and laborious task. The following will introduce two methods to install a system on another hard drive.

How to install Windows 11 on a new SSD step-by-step

There are two methods of how to install Windows 11 on SSD. For those who want to clean install Windows 11 on SSD, you can refer to method 1 for details. For those who want to clone HDD to SSD in Windows 11, then method 2 is your choice. If you also want to know how to set up new SSD on Windows 11, check out the bonus part, we will present you the initial method to seal the deal.

Method 1. Install Windows 11 on SSD by using Windows installation media 

If you run a clean install for the operating system, then all your previous version of software installation is eradicated, including all the personal data, files, and applications. So it’s better for you to back up all data beforehand.

To fresh install Windows 11 on a new SSD, follow the steps below:

1. Boot your computer from Windows 11 installation media or a downloaded Windows 11 ISO file.

2. Choose your language and other preferences and click “Next”. Then, click “Install now”.

3. There will pop up a notice asking you to activate Windows, enter your product key or choose “I don't have a product key” if you're reinstalling Windows.

4. Then choose one of the operating system you want to install and click "Next".

5. Select "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)".

6. Select the SSD where you want to store Windows 11 and click "Next", then wait for the process done.

7. Choose your country, keyboard layout, and other information, then add your account and choose privacy settings. After that, you can run your Windows 11 on SSD.

Method 2. Migrate Windows 11 to SSD by using AOMEI Backupper Professional👍

In case that clean installation will delete all your data on your computer, which will lead to important data loss. If you prefer a safer way to install Windows 11 on SSD, you can use reliable third-party software----AOMEI Backupper Professional. It is all-in-one disk cloning software for Windows 7/8/10/11. This tool is the perfect solution on how to set up new SSD on Windows 11. It offers three clone types to meet the needs of different users.

♥ The System Clone feature allows you to clone only C: drive to a new disk effortlessly, which is especially useful if you want to install Windows 11 to SSD.
♥ The Disk Clone feature allows you to clone entire hard drive to another drive. It will be helpful to migrate all data from your old HDD to a new SSD so as to improve computer performance.
♥ The Partition Clone feature enables you to copy a particular partition on a hard drive, such as copy NTFS/FAT32 partition.

Prework:

• Connect the new SSD to your computer and make sure it can be detected.
• Backup files on the new SSD, or you'll lose them after cloning.
• Download and install AOMEI Backupper Professional.

To install Windows 11 on SSD, follow the steps below:

1. Open AOMEI Backupper. Click "Clone" on the left side, then select "System Clone". If you want to clone entire disk, click "Disk Clone" instead.

2. The program is designed to automatically select system partition and boot related partitions for you. Just select the SSD as the new location, and then click "Next" to continue.  

3. Confirm the operations, tick "SSD Alignment" to speed up the performance of SSD and click "Start Clone".

4. After cloning Windows 11 successfully, shut down the computer, remove the old drive from the computer, and install the new SSD there. Restart your computer to boot from the new SSD. You may need to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings and ensure the newly installed disk is the first boot device.

Bonus: how to set up new SSD on Windows 11

Now that you know how to install Windows 11 on SSD. We will also inform you of another method on how to set up new SSD on Windows 11 preventing potential problems.

Possible Causes of Not Initialized SSD

The "disk unknown not initialized" error, like when it says "disk 0 unknown not initialized," or "disk 1 unknown not initialized," can happen for a few reasons. It could be because of an outdated or broken driver, a virus, damaged parts of the disk, lost partitions, errors in the file system, or a messed-up MBR.

Sometimes, when you see this error, the disk might not even show its size. That's usually because the MBR, which stands for Master Boot Record, is damaged. The MBR is the first part of the disk that has important info about starting up Windows and managing disk sections.

Initialize the new SSD on Windows 11

If you're looking for the quickest way to do it, just go ahead and initialize your disk with MBR or GPT in Disk Management. This method works if you're setting up a new hard drive too.

1. First, right-click on "This PC" and pick "Manage," then choose "Disk Management."
2. Find the hard drive you're working with, right-click on it, and pick "Initialize Disk."
3. A box will pop up. Choose the unknown, not-initialized disk, and decide if you want to use MBR or GPT for the partition style. Click OK to kick off the initialization process.

FAQs about how to set up new SSD on Windows 11

1. Should I format a new SSD before putting Windows 11 on it?

Yes, it's important to format the SSD or the partition before installing Windows 11. You can do this now or during the installation process. Just make sure to back up any important files before formatting.

2. Do I have to reinstall Windows 11 if I get a new SSD?

Yes, you'll need to do a fresh installation of Windows 11 on your new SSD. Make sure it's the same version, like Home, so your license works.

3. Will I lose everything if I swap my SSD?

If you upgrade to a bigger SSD, you won't lose anything on your Windows computer. But you'll need to reinstall everything, including Windows and apps. If you clone your old SSD to the new one, you can swap them without losing any data or needing to reinstall Windows.

4. How do I set up a second SSD on Windows 11?

To make sure Windows can see your new SSD, do this: Step 1: Right-click the "Start" button and pick "Disk Management." Look for any unallocated space on your new SSD. Then, get it ready by right-clicking on the unallocated space and selecting "Initialize Disk." You can also check the article about how to install a second SSD on Windows 11

Summary

This article provides two methods to install Windows 11 to SSD and one SSD initial way to solve how to set up new SSD on Windows 11. If you use the second one you will find that the system, along with all the data on the system drives, has been migrated to SSD. There is no need to reinstall the software or copy any data. You don't have to change anything but use your computer like before.

Actually, AOMEI Backupper is not only specialized disk cloning software but also remarkable Windows backup software. You can use it to create bootable backups in Windows 11. Don't hesitate to try it out!