Thinkpads Forum

I’m upgrading the M2 SSD from 1TB to 4TB in a brand-new Lenovo X1 g11. Would it be best to clone the factory M2 SSD or install Win 11 from scratch on the new M2 SSD?

I'd make the recovery media in case you want to put it back, but personally I prefer a clean install so I can get it the way I like it and then make an image, which I can then put back if needed.

I'd prefer a clean install, but have a copy of the WiFi driver on a flash disk just in case Win 11 doesn't have it.

MerlinMc wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:02 pm

I’m upgrading the M2 SSD from 1TB to 4TB in a brand-new Lenovo X1 g11. Would it be best to clone the factory M2 SSD or install Win 11 from scratch on the new M2 SSD?

Not being sarcastic, how would you even install Win from scratch. Say you put that drive in there, and boot from it, it has no OS and no way to do anything, unless I misunderstand. Cheers.

anita_garibaldi wrote: ↑

Sun May 19, 2024 8:47 am

Not being sarcastic, how would you even install Win from scratch. Say you put that drive in there, and boot from it, it has no OS and no way to do anything, unless I misunderstand. Cheers.

You prepare a USB flash drive with the Windows installer (using one of several possible methods), boot from that flash drive (not from the SSD), and install Windows onto the SSD.

dr_st wrote: ↑

Sun May 19, 2024 8:51 am

anita_garibaldi wrote: ↑

Sun May 19, 2024 8:47 am

Not being sarcastic, how would you even install Win from scratch. Say you put that drive in there, and boot from it, it has no OS and no way to do anything, unless I misunderstand. Cheers.

You prepare a USB flash drive with the Windows installer (using one of several possible methods), boot from that flash drive (not from the SSD), and install Windows onto the SSD.

this is really helpful thank you. i am considering a new x1g12, buying with the lowest drive from lenovo and doing an upgrade myself and a clean install. what are the possible methods you know of to make the usb flash drive? what kind of capacity drive are we talking about - is a 16GB USB sufficient? thank you.

Microsoft allows you to download Windows 11 from their website. When you run the .exe, it prompts you to chose a USB drive or disc to make the installation media. 16GB drive should be ample.

ZaZ wrote: ↑

Sun May 19, 2024 11:14 am

Microsoft allows you to download Windows 11 from their website. When you run the .exe, it prompts you to chose a USB drive or disc to make the installation media. 16GB drive should be ample.

Ah thank you. And how would MS/Windows know that I am a lenovo and have authorized usage? Is that baked into the hardware of the computer?

Yes, it should be in the BIOS, which the installer can reference.

You can also download the Windows installer from Lenovo with your machine's serial number. It has a few OEM customizations the generic image doesn't have (like making a restore partition on the hard drive) and it comes preloaded with Vantage.