Is it Possible to "clone" a SM951 M.2 SSD

I've cloned Windows 10 installations from one PCIe SSD to another successfully.

It is critical to use cloning software that supports GPT formatting and EFI booting. If you don't, the result will not work.

I haven't used everything that is available, but I know Macrium Reflect (free version) has worked for me multiple times. The cloning process is relatively simple, but do it carefully to get a good result.

Be sure to use your clone before you clean up your SM951.

Compare the partitions you get on the clone with those of the source in Disk Management. If anything is missing, it was done incorrectly.

I used Macrium to clone an EFI booting Win 10 installation on a 950 Pro to an Intel 750 SSD. I could boot fine from the 750 and used it for a short time.

Regardless, NO guarantees it will work for you, since it's not my PC, OS installations, etc. As I like to put it, I won't be driving when you perform the clone.

I'm not even sure what board you are using, OS version, type of installation, etc...

Lez501 wrote: Sorry, forgot to add......... It's the Z97 extreme6 M/B, with windows 8.1 - install was done from USB drive using uefi. Thanks for the advice, will try that out over the weekend

You should have no problems with Win 8.1.

I've used Macrium with full UEFI Windows installations (CSM set to Disabled) and it worked fine.

It's easier to do if the destination drive is the same size or larger than the source drive, which is true in your case.

Normally after the clone, the PC will restart and boot from the clone - destination drive automatically. So no need to change the boot order yourself.

You may find that the entries in the Boot Order list will be "Windows Boot Manager" for BOTH SSDs after the clone, with no way to tell them apart.