Need a new external backup drive or more internal storage for a laptop or desktop? This guide can help you make the best choice.

Use an SSD for your operating system and applications to enjoy fast boot times and speedy performance, and keep an HDD around for bulk storage where speed isnâ t as crucial.

You don't need some super-fast, next-gen PCIe 5.0-based SSD but even a basic 2.5-inch SATA SSD is world's better than a mechanical HDD. Microsoft knows this, we know this, OEMs know this.

Boot your PC with the USB drive as the primary storage, select the SSD when prompted, and follow the instructions on-screen. Is it OK to use SSD and HDD together?

A newer PCIe Gen 4 SSD, such as Samsung's 980 Pro, pushes 7,000 MB/s. For context, a 7200-rpm SATA HDD like the Seagate Barracuda manages around 200 MB/s.

Sources from within the OEM computer industry have reported that Microsoft may be planning to end HDD boot drive support by as early as next year!

We may earn commissions when you buy from links on our site. Why you can trust us. How to Replace Your Hard Drive with an SSD to Make your Laptop Faster by Josh Kirschner on January 20, 2023 ...

I'm not familiar with Optane, but I know that Samsung SSDs have (at least in the past) come with some very easy to use software which will clone a boot drive over to the new SSD and leave it ...

While there are some exceptions, most people today prefer a much speedier SSD for booting into the OS, which could be a good thing as Microsoft reportedly wants to kill off HDD boot drives entirely.