Storage guide
Storage upgrades start with compatibility
Last updated September 30, 2026
Capacity and benchmark speed do not tell you whether a drive will work in your PC.
Identify the interface
PCs may use 2.5-inch SATA, M.2 SATA or M.2 NVMe storage. M.2 is a form factor, not a guarantee of protocol compatibility.
Confirm physical size
M.2 modules can differ in length, while 2.5-inch drives need the correct bay and cable. Check the computer documentation before purchase.
Check slot availability
An installed drive may already occupy the only compatible slot, so decide whether the upgrade adds storage or replaces the boot drive.
Plan data migration separately
Cloning or reinstalling Windows is a different decision from hardware compatibility. Back up important data before changing a boot device.