You can move a Windows handheld’s existing setup to a larger SSD by cloning the old drive to the new one, then installing the cloned drive. First confirm your handheld’s exact model, Windows version and SSD requirements: drive dimensions and replacement procedures vary, and a Windows cloning workflow is not a SteamOS recovery method.
Before you start: confirm the device and drive
Check the manufacturer’s instructions for your exact handheld model before buying an SSD or opening the case. Confirm that the internal drive is user-replaceable, identify its M.2 size and interface, and verify that any USB enclosure supports both the target drive’s physical size and NVMe interface.
For the ROG Ally family, ASUS’s guide dated October 15, 2025 lists a 2230 M.2 NVMe SSD for the original ROG Ally and a 2280 M.2 NVMe SSD for the ROG Ally X, ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. Those specifications are specific to the models covered by that guide; do not assume they apply to another handheld. ASUS’s model-specific SSD guide
Also confirm the operating system. This article describes the general approach for a Windows installation. Steam Decks running SteamOS follow a separate route; Valve provides SteamOS installation and repair instructions, not a Windows cloning procedure.
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Cloning or factory recovery: choose the outcome you want
| Route | What happens to the existing setup | What you need | Key trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clone the SSD | Cloning aims to copy the current Windows installation, files, apps, games and configuration to the replacement drive. Check the cloning software’s instructions for how it handles partitions and drive capacity. | A compatible SSD enclosure and cloning software that supports your drives and system. | Requires careful source-and-target selection and a physical drive swap. |
| ASUS Cloud Recovery | Restores the supported ASUS device’s OS storage device to its original state and erases data on that device. | For ASUS Cloud Recovery, Wi-Fi or LAN and power are required. | It is a fresh factory recovery, not a way to retain the prior setup. ASUS estimates approximately 1–3 hours, depending on network quality and system configuration. |
ASUS describes using an external SSD enclosure to clone an Ally’s current drive, but its walkthrough does not provide cloning-software steps; the guide instead details a fresh Windows installation. Do not attribute a particular cloning app or sequence to ASUS. ASUS ROG’s SSD guide and ASUS Support’s Cloud Recovery FAQ explain the documented alternatives.
Prepare your data and the replacement SSD
- Make an independent backup. Copy irreplaceable files to another location before starting; do not rely on the old SSD as your only backup.
- Find your BitLocker recovery key. ASUS says encrypted files must be unlocked with the recovery key to back them up. Do not assume cloning will produce a particular BitLocker prompt or outcome; that can depend on the device and cloning tool. ASUS Support’s FAQ
- Match the enclosure to the target SSD. Check the enclosure’s supported M.2 size and NVMe interface. An enclosure that accepts one M.2 drive is not necessarily compatible with every M.2 SSD.
- Read the cloning software’s current instructions. Confirm how it selects the source and target, copies partitions, handles a larger destination and verifies completion. Software interfaces and behavior differ, so there is no universal set of button names or partition-expansion steps.
Clone the current drive to the new SSD
- Connect the target SSD. Install the replacement SSD in its compatible enclosure and connect it to the handheld. Confirm that the operating system and cloning application detect the intended target.
- Choose the old drive as the source and the new drive as the target. Follow the cloning application’s instructions for copying the full system drive and its required partitions. Selecting the wrong direction can overwrite the drive containing your data; stop and recheck the drive identities before confirming.
- Complete the clone and review the result. Wait for the application to report completion, then use its documented checks. Do not assume a reported copy guarantees that the replacement will boot or that every partition has the desired size.
- Shut down fully before opening the handheld. Do not swap internal drives while the device is running or asleep.
Install the replacement SSD safely
Use the manufacturer’s instructions for your exact model. For the covered Ally-family procedure, ASUS says to discharge the battery to 25% or below, remove any microSD card and disconnect the battery before replacing the SSD. It lists a size 0 Phillips screwdriver and a thin plastic pick, and warns that a back-panel ribbon cable on some models can tear if pulled carelessly. Follow the guide’s model-specific opening and reassembly steps rather than relying on a teardown for a similar-looking handheld. ASUS ROG’s SSD guide
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Boot and verify before reusing the old drive
Start the handheld with the replacement installed and check the items that matter to you before erasing, formatting or repurposing the original SSD:
- Windows starts normally and the expected user account is available.
- Your important files, applications, game installations and settings are present.
- The replacement’s partitions and available capacity look as expected. If the destination is larger but Windows shows less usable space than expected, consult the cloning tool’s instructions for partition handling rather than guessing at a fix.
- Updates and essential handheld functions, such as controls and connectivity, work.
These are practical checks, not a manufacturer-certified clone-validation checklist. Keep the original SSD unchanged until you are satisfied with the replacement; it remains a way back if the cloned installation does not work as expected.
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If cloning fails or you prefer a fresh setup
Check the cloning application’s error details and its instructions for the specific source and target drives before trying again. If the handheld does not boot after the swap, power it down and consult the device maker’s recovery and hardware guidance; boot repair steps depend on the model and software. Avoid treating a generic Windows cloning instruction as a fix for a SteamOS device.
For supported ASUS devices, Cloud Recovery is an alternative when a factory setup is acceptable. ASUS says it restores the OS storage device to its original state, erasing data on that drive; it requires network access and power, and the estimated recovery time is approximately 1–3 hours depending on network quality and system configuration. Back up what you need first. ASUS Support: Cloud Recovery within MyASUS in WinRE
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