Cannot Boot from M.2 SSD

[SimonCSH]

My NUC runs Win 11 off HDD but kept giving me 100% Disk Full problem even after I followed the Fix advices in the web.

So I bought a M.2 500G SDD and install Win 11 in it using a USB stick.

After boot, it shows a volume of Win 11 to boot from SSD and a volume of Win11 from HDD. I chose the former and the performance was so much faster! The 100% disk full issue also went away.

I decided to remove my HDD as it's no longer relevant. But after removing the HDD, I am not able to boot. I went to the BIOS but the Boot Tab does not show the M.2 SSD as Bootable option,  but yet the SATA Tab shows the M2.SSD is recognized by the BIOS.

Any advice?

[megan3000]

Did you install the OS on the new SSD while still having the HDD on the computer?

My understanding is that when doing this that way, there are some boot dependencies written on the first boot drive (by editing boot files on the first drive) to create Dual Boot... therefore, if you remove the first drive where those boot files are written, other boot drives won't boot...

If you plug back the HDD, can the SSD boot up? (if it works, back up any critical/personal info and proceed to step below...)

Have you tried just reinstalling the OS with only the SSD connected? (delete all the partitions and then just select the Unallocated space to install windows, so you let Windows to create the partitions on its own...)

[SimonCSH]

Yes, I installed the OS in the SSD with the HDD still connected.

I have already installed and configured  many apps in the SSD and hence felt reluctant to re-install.

Can you advise how I could backup and all the installation and then upload without having to repeat the installation process all over again?

[DeividA_Intel]

Hello SimonCSH, 

In this case, I recommend you to perform a clean install of Windows (this may erase all your data), in case you want to know how to back up your information or get instructions to install Windows I recommend you check with Microsoft.

Also, you can find useful information and steps to install the operating system on your NUC at the following link:

• https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005471/intel-nuc.html

Best regards, 

Deivid A.  

Intel Customer Support Technician 

[LeonWaksman]

Hi @SimonCSH 

Please attach an image from Disk Management with both drives (SSD and the HDD) installed.

Leon

[SimonCSH]

Leon,

Attached is a snapshot of Disk Mgmt.

[LeonWaksman]

Hi @SimonCSH 

From the attached image, I can see that the EFI partition is installed on your old HDD (partition 1 on drive 0). This is the reason that your NUC can't boot without HDD. In addition I can see that data stored in partition on the HDD is encrypted by bitlocker.  Also the secondary data drive (the HDD) has numer 0 (zero) assigned while the System drive has 1 assigned. In correct system installation, 0 is assigned to the system drive.

So, if it was my computer, I would do the following:

1. Remove the Bitlocker Encryption from Drive How to turn OFF the Bitlocker

2. Perform full backup of the HDD.

3. Format the HDD. Disconnect the HDD.

4. Clean install the Windows on the SSD.

5. Reconnect the HDD and restore the data from backup.

If you don't wan't to go trough the above process to reinstall the system, you may try to move the EFI partition from HDD to SSD:

1. Remove the Bitlocker Encryption from Drive How to turn OFF the Bitlocker

2. Perform full backup of the HDD.

3. Use the easyUEFI to move partition EFI to drive C:

Leon

[SimonCSH]

Hi Leon,

Please refer to the EasyUEFI screenshot. I can select the source to move from but not the destination. I am not able to select the M2 SSD Drive as apparently there are no legitimate partition to move to.

[LeonWaksman]

You may try to use the Command Prompt or Windows Terminal. Remember, you are doing this on your own risk. Have full backup prepared.

Open a Windows Terminal  or Command Prompt with Admin Privileges, run (click on Enter after each command):

diskpart

list disk

select disk 1  (I'm assuming that "1"  is the number assigned to your SSD)

list partition

select partition # (where # should be replaced by the number of the Primary partition)

shrink desired=100

create partition efi size=100

format quick fs=fat32

assign letter=Y

exit

bcdboot C:\Windows /s Y: /f UEFI

exit

Now your C: drive should be bootable. You may want to remove the letter "Y" assigned to the EFI partition:

Open Command Prompt (Administrative) and execute:

diskapart

list disk

select disk 1  (I'm assuming that "1"  is the number assigned to your SSD)

remove letter=Y

exit

Leon

[SimonCSH]

Leon,

I followed your instructions and it worked perfectly.

I have removed the HDD and can now boot from SSD without the need to do a fresh install.

Thank you so much!!!!!

[LeonWaksman]

I was glad to help you.

Leon