How to Upgrade SSD in Surface Pro X (Complete Guide)
Is Surface Pro X SSD Upgradeable?
Unlike previous Surface devices, such as Surface Pro 6 and Surface Pro 7, the Surface Pro X SSD is upgradeable. Because the SSD is not soldered, just hidden behind the kickstand. According to Microsoft, the Surface Pro X SSD type is an M.2 2230 SSD, which is smaller than most M.2 SSDs. So It is not very easy to find one.
Microsoft also says the SSD is not user removable and should be replaced by a trained Microsoft technician. If you want to swap SSD yourself, don't forget to prepare the right Torx screwdriver and the way to install Windows on the new SSD.
Why Upgrade Surface Pro X SSD?
Here are two main reasons why you need to upgrade Surface Pro X SSD. If you're not sure it's time to upgrade, take a look and then decide.
- Get More Capacity. In amazon or eBay, most Surface Pro X comes with a 128GB or 256GB SSD. If you want more space, Surface Pro X 1TB SSD or 500GB SSD will be a great choice.
- Improve SSD performance. The default SSD in Surface Pro X is, at best, a low-to-mid-rang performance. To yield +500MB/s sequential read and write speed, the best way is to upgrade SSD in Surface Pro X.
What Do You Need?
An M.2 2230 PCIe SSD. Since this SSD type is smaller than most M.2 SSD, you cannot always find one on Amazon. We recommend you use Toshiba/Kioxia BG4 M.2 2230 PCIe SSD.
You need to purchase Toshiba SSD through business channels like Dell or eBay. The core is to use the following product SKU to search the version of the SSD you want.
- KBG40ZNS256G for Surface Pro X 256GB SSD. The price is around $19.99 now.
- KBG40ZNS512G for Surface Pro X 512GB SSD. The price is around $50.3 now.
- KBG40ZNS1T02 for Surface Pro X 1TB SSD. The price is around $145 now.
Tools for Surface Pro X SSD removal and installation- 3IP (Torx-Plus) driver, Anti-static wrist strap (1M Ohm resistance), Soft ESD safe mat, Microfiber / Lint-free cloth, SIM eject tool (or equivalent 0.58 mm / 0.023 in diameter paperclip).
Powerful SSD clone software for Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, XP or Vista - Qiling Disk Master Professional.
Upgrade SSD in Surface Pro X with Everything
Before changing SSD in Surface Pro X, the most important thing is to move Windows installation from SSD to another, which ensures you can directly boot from the new SSD. To complete this task, you need the powerful SSD clone software - Qiling Disk Master Professional.
- It offers you the "Disk Clone" feature to clone SSD to larger SSD and make it bootable. To clone OS only, select the "System Clone" feature.
- It helps to make full of SSD disk space and convert disk type (MBR or GPT).
- It is able to improve SSD disk performance using 4k technology.
- It supports cloning all brands of M.2 2230 SSD disks, such as Kioxia, Toshiba, WD, etc.
Please download this powerful SSD clone software - Qiling Disk Master Professional.
Step 1. Open Qiling Disk Master Professional, and click Tools and utilities> Disk Clone.
Note: The Professional version supports cloning both system disks (MBR/GPT) and data disks in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, XP and Vista. For server users, try Qiling Disk Master Server.
Step 2. Choose the Surface Pro X default SSD as the source disk and click Next.
Step 3. Choose the new SSD (eg: Toshiba/Kioxia BG4 M.2 2230 PCIe SSD) as the destination disk. Then, click Next.
Step 4. Check Optimize for SSD to improve SSD disk performance and click Proceed to clone Surface Pro X SSD to a larger SSD. To avoid unallocated space left after cloning, click Edit Partitions and select Add unused space to all space or Adjust partition size manually.
Notes:
- Edit Partitions: This feature also supports the "Convert the destination disk from MBR to GPT" option or vice versa. It helps to clone GPT disk to MBR and clone MBR disk to GPT without boot issues.
- Sector By Sector Clone: It is a cloning mode that will clone all sectors of an SSD disk. Thus, it will take a lot of time and more space on the target disk.
Steps to Surface Pro X SSD Swap and Boot
Now you can then open Surface Pro X and replace ssd in it to boot from the new SSD. Please make preparations below and follow the step by step guide below.
Prepare for Surface Pro X SSD SSD replacement
- Install the latest updates. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security, and select Check for updates. Then, select all the available updates.
- Unlock BitLocker encryption. Click Settings, type BitLocker and select Manage BitLocker. Then, click Turn Off Bitlocker. For details, refer to disable Windows 11 Bitlocker.
- Backup BitLocker recovery key. If you cannot unencrypt the SSD during swap, you need to know the recovery key to access your SSD.
Replace Surface Pro X SSD step by step
Step 1. Power off the device and disconnect from the power supply. Be sure the work surface is clean and covered with a soft ESD-safe mat and Microfiber or Lint-free cloth.
Step 2. Put Surface Pro X back. Remove the plate-hidden SSD and SIM(if there is) using SIM eject tool.
Step 3. Remove the screws securing the SSD using 3IP (Torx-Plus) driver. The SSD will lift upwards to a 15 degree, carefully grab the sides of the SSD case and pull it out.
Step 4. Install the new SSD using the opposite steps.
Optionally, to use the default SSD enclosure, gently tease apart it from each side, and remove the old SSD and old thermal paste.
To deal with the new SSD, remove the label, add a tiny drop of thermal paste to the top, and smooth around the entire black area.
Step 5. Plug in power and wired internet connection. Power on the device and it may go through a firmware update during startup.
Step 6. Enter the recovery key if the SSD is still encrypted. Then, connect your keyboard and sign in with your account to start the device.
More FAQs about Surface Pro X SSD Replacement
✍ Can you perform a Surface Pro X RAM upgrade?
According to Microsoft, the RAM of Surface Pro X RAM is not replaceable.
✍ Does the Surface Pro X have an SSD slot?
The Surface Pro X contains 2 USB-C ports, an eSIM and a SIM card slot for LTE, a removable SSD, and the Surface Connect port for charging.
✍ Is Surface Pro 9 upgradeable?
The Surface Pro 9 is upgradeable. To upgrade, you need a compatible SSD, screwdrivers and other tools to remove the default SSD and a powerful SSD cloning software to move OS and files.
Summary
You can easily upgrade SSD in Surface Pro X and replace it with a new SSD as long as you find a compatible M.2 2230 SSD and powerful SSD cloning software like Qiling Disk Master Professional.
This software helps to handle disk space and secure boot issues well. For example, it offers you the Edit Partition features to automatically or manually fit on the new SSD. Thus, there is no unallocated space left after cloning.
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