Surface Pro 9 SSD Upgrade Guide - I went from 256GB to 2TB! 

My 256GB surface Pro 9 is being shipped. Bought the lowest end SDD. I ordered a 1TB and am looking forward to upgrading. I build all my desktops, have for years so being able to upgrade this tablet even if its only one part feels good. EDIT: Done upgrading. Easy. Thanks for the clear instructions.

This video is right on point! You explained everything I wanted to know and was looking for... After watching several other videos and not getting all my questions answered, you did it well and in less time.

Awesome, thanks! Upgraded my 9 Pro from 256 to 1TB and all went well.

Your guide was so easy to follow, even though I was maxed out high and drunk I still got it done. Thanks bro.

Thank you for your video. It explains everything contrary to many others where they didn't get into the detail (especially the recovery drive). Have a good day !

You saved my bacon, I was about to give up trying after spending a lot of money on a 2TB SSD. Thanks my man, you rock!

Thank you! Just upgraded my ssd with your tutorial :)

Excellent tutorial. Works as expected

you made it so easy to up grade my SSD, thank you.

Excellent video. I used your Pro 8 video to do mine and will move that drive to the Pro 9. All good.!! Many thanks.

great video.. super well done.. very thorough in explaining all the steps to do the Upgrade.. many thanx

The instructions worked perfectly. Thank you.

fantastic video - you make it so easy. i wish you were my neighbor - you have lots of great ideas for surface.

Thank you so much for this great video. Worked great! Spot on 👍👍

This worked great for me, thank you!

This is just blatant showing off! 2TB! Love it! :)

Thanks for the informative vid. I just upgraded my SSD on my SP9. Just a comment on the difference between "Just remove files" and "clean and remove files," I found this: "They both do basically the same, except selecting Clean The Drive will write zeros to the entire drive before reinstalling...The Clean option will take a lot more time and is really not needed if you are keeping the machine." In my case, since I am keeping the PC, I selected "Just remove files." And because I'm not a dork! 😜

Thank you. Just found your video very helpful.

Thank you, You were the first video to explain how the little door opens up! Thank you for this video!

Followed your guide and managed so swap from 256gb to 1tb on my SP9 without issues. Thank you !

thx for the video I just changed my ssd to 2TB

Half-year review: I highly recommend everyone to change their SSD no matter the size of their new SSD, because Microsoft asks you put the original SSD back when you sent back your broken surface for repair under the warranty. After you get your new or repaired Surface, you just change the SSD then all the data including all settings come back immediately. AWESOME!

Many thanks for your video! Just a question concerning the SSDs the Surface Pro 9 can digest: can it work with Gen 3, or is it Gen4 only? I read elsewhere that it might only work with Gen4? It would be great if you could share your experience on that? Thanks again in advance :)

You mentioned recreating the partitions, meaning the ones Windows creates. Out of curiosity, do you further partition your drive? And, if so, how big do you make each of them on a 2TB drive? (I know many people say there's no point in partitioning an SSD, but I will keep doing it for organization.) TIA

I’ve got a 2TB WD SN740 on order so super glad of your help here. But I’m nervous of SSD heat from experience upgrading my old SP4 to 2TB (story for another time). I’m guessing here and happy to be corrected, but… The metal cover on the original SSD makes contact with the SSD components that get hot (maybe with thermal paste in between) The square at the bottom of the SSD bay (visible at about 7:55) is heat conductive(?) Looking at photos of SP9 internals, I think this ultimately ‘connects’ to the internal heat sink in order to conduct heat away So if you eschew the metal cover, the SSD will run hotter Placing a heat transfer pad on the opposite side of the SSD as you’ve done will help… and I know some people like to run their SSDs ‘warm’, expecting better performance… But if you don’t want to reuse the metal cover, maybe applying heat transfer pads to the other side (or both sides) of the SSD would be better, if possible?

Thank you for the useful video :)

Worked Great!

Cbutters used micron 2400, and I upgraded my surface pro 9 i7 with WD SN740 2TB smoothly. Thank the video.

Thanks for sharing.

All Done, Thanks!

Thank you very very much. We have tried it min. 6x. It didn't work. No it is working (39%) 😊 Have a nice Easter. Greetings Jane

That was great and I purchased a type c flash drive instead of purchasing two separate items

This is exactly what I needed. Thanks!

Thanks a lot

I've seen in one of your previous videos you used the SSD from a 1TB tuff nano ssd. I see they don't sell those anymore but they have a 2TB one. Is the SSD they use for that one compatible with the surface pro 8? Haven't been able to find the model used for the 2TB version

hi this is super random but any idea where I can get the SSD mounting screw? I messed up my installation and the screw is damaged.. so I am trying to find a replacement one

Thanks for the video. I have been researching the 2tb drives and of ones I have found, they tend to be manufacturer specific (Dell, etc.) Is this ok. Thanks again

From old habits I normally install the OPSYS on a separate drive, like a C: drive then all my programs on a d: drive. My data files go on one of my QNAP NAS boxes so I have access to everything wherever I am. Is this possible if I install a 2 TB drive? Thanks for the video BTW. I currently use a Surface Pro 5 (Windows 10)and am looking to upgrade and even have an older Surface Pro 2 which still works well! Final quickie can I install MS Office 2019 on the Surface Pro 9 (Windows 11)?

Great video, I just upgraded my SP9 with 2TB from AliExpress. In my case, it was a T4 screw to remove the SSD, not T3. I also used a docking instead of a simple USB adapter for the thumb drive, it worked without problem.

Hi there. Thanks for the video. Well appreciated. I got a question do. I just bought a new surface and I was wondering if I need to open it one time, let it do its updates and my account first? Then I do the upgrade, or It will wipe everything out, and I'll do a new sign in and account? Thanks in advance.... if I got an answer before tomorrow. 😁

Would love to see performance comparison with the new 2TB drive

Thanks. Do you have to use the Surface recovery image? Can you reinstall using the download from the Media Creation Tool? I want to reinstall it with Win 11 Pro (I have a new license key).

Hey I was wondering what is the exact screw you got to unscrew the ssd? I bought multiple torx t3 and for some reason it is not working. thanks

This might come in handy for me at work. We just got two of these in and it has windows 11 home edition. I am just hoping that I can plug in a windows 11 pro product key in and it will upgrade

Will this work for Linux too? I mainly use Linux and I plan on upgrading my SP. Eventually to one of the ones where I can remove the SSD to upgrade. If make a rsync or time shift back up of a Linux distro and install a new SSD will it recover the backup OS or will I need to re install the whole thing? Sorry if this seems like a silly question. But it's something I've been trying to find out before purchasing another usb drive and dedicate looking for an optional SSD.

Thanks for the video! Use a T4, not T3 screwdriver. T3 almost stripped mine. Other sources say to use T4

Does it matter which windows you have on the pc you make your usb drive with? Say i have an older version on my pc than i do on my surface and set up my usb drive on my pc with the older windows, will it give me the older version that i have on my pc and put it on my surface pro?

What size screwdriver is needed? I bought a phone repair kit and none of the 4 fit and my screw is getting stripped!

I have a question: restoring from an image, you are gonna loose the pre installed additional apps (the ones for drawing with the pen, for example), or is a perfect image of the existing dump into the surface at day 1? Tnx

Hi there. I'm also using a Surface Pro 9. i have my 1TB to replaced my 256GB. My question is can i use a USB C Hub to connect my USB that contains the recovery files for recovering process to the new SSD 1TB? thank you

Hey thanks for the video. Whats the screw driver type and name?

I have tried with a usb stick as well as an SD card but I get either immediately 'there is a problem recovering your pc' or it starts but then gives the same message at around 30%. And sometimes it says "system station not big enough" (I am installing a 512GB). Is this a usb error or does this mean my ssd is broken? It's a Kioxia BG5

How thick is that thermal pad? 0.5 mm or 1 mm? Thanks.

So is the SP9 not so sensitive to the Gen 4x4 SSDs?

Thank you for your vids as you answer diffcult/unique questions I and many others have. You and tablet pro are best reviewers for surface-like devices. I have an in-depth question I'm sure many are also curious to have answers about as you have gone through a very similar process. My current "dilema": I need to upgrade my portable setup. Have custom dekstop with 9900k, 64 gigs and 3090, ipad pro 2018 1 tb and fold 3 phone . I game moderately but intensely when I do and need 100+ frames for most titles and some vr. Game at 4k 120 oled at home or vr. On the comp wether home or mobile I do mostly office work, music production, some video editing so obviously dedicated graphics and greater than 16 gigs ram preferred here. I would also like to do more hand wrtten note taking/art on this device like I can on my iPad pro or fold 3. I am not interested in x13 or z13 due to terrible screens by comparison, 16 gig limitations and worse battery on z13. If there were to be an x14 or a new x13 ryzen machine with 32 or more gigs, nebula mini led display or an oled, I would choose that with xg mobile and would call it a day lol. Options: 1. I'm looking hard at x16 with 3070ti and awaiting an upgraded xg mobile (4080). I will max the ram and storage. About 4.5lbs 2. Wait for surface studio laptop 2 but deal with weaker gpu that will be in it for when it comes to games. Carry weight about 4.5 lbs 3. surface 9 i7 32 gig with egpu but deal with bulk and nuisance of this setup. Total weight like 2 lbs for surface and up to 13lbs+ for egpu for when I need to take it. Long road trips etc not a problem. Airlines and needing to use it at a coffee shop for any kind of 3d work needs might become an issue and nullify mobility of surface device. 4. Weaker/cheaper surface like an 8 i5 with lte 16 gigs for SUPERIOR than x16 drawing and for some light mobile work; then grab x16 or similar for gaming laptop/desktop replacement. Downside is 2 devices but no real disadvantage other than that. Total weight would be like 6.5lbs. 5. X16 and keep my iPad pro for that in between tablet and better note taking/art experience. *Special Notes And Considerations: I am also considering going "second screen" with surface device to my upgradable windows desktop if I can get low enough latency and good color/res. Then use one of the surface options above for mobile use. I'm not sure if asus x16 can connect like surface devices can to a windows desktop, but I would assume not as it isn’t a microsoft device nor is it a samsung tab which were the only ones approved for this feature right? I haven't seen anyone talk about this windows feature in a while. I am also using my fold 3 successfully like a tablet and almost never use my iPad pro as it is already due to closed/annoying mobile system and limitations. This is one of the reasons I want to get rid of it unless I need a superior inking/note taking experience with larger screen. Other option is x16 for mobile and stick to iPad pro to maybe use as light tablet and second screen with digitizer for desktop via screen duet or similar software. Questions: Would you consider surface 9 AND light egpu set up? When I add the weight up of gpu and enclosure it's like 12+ lbs vs option 4 and more bulky. I watched all your surface 8 and laptop studio vids. I'm aware of the aurous 1070 case you used for 3060. You mentioned 3060ti is possible to fit but it appears to me nothing larger (3070+) will. Is there another lightweight case you would suggest that is also long enough for 3070-4080 cards? I'm starting to explore custom enclosure options/diy to get weight and bulk down but allow a 3080-4080 card. In any case they still seem to be quite heavy still, well over 6 lbs. Heavy gpu and psu is hard to overcome. Should I just avoid the difficulty and cons of creating and dealing with this egpu in mobile setup and go with option 1, 2, 4 or 5 instead? I know you have done a mix of everything I said so you are the perfect person to ask. Thank you for your awesome videos and the time you put in to answer the hard questions we all have.

Any glitches with other items like the pen, touch screen, software etc since you installed?

As much as I like the easy SSD upgradability, I'm not sure about having the OS installed in that one SSD. I don't mind having a soldered SSD for the OS and leave the rear slot empty for additional self upgrade.

I heard the SP8 with the PCIe 4.0 ssd shows a blue screen. How about th SP9?

I dont have a flash drive so can i use my surface pro 6 instead?

Nice step through video. I just purchased a SP8 with 265GB. I was thinking of upgrading to 1TB but my computer minded friend that is a Surface fan said to just use cloud storage (you get 1TB with MS 360 Family). I'm use to everything on my physical machine but the cloud may be the way to go especially I since use two and sometimes three different computers. Wondering your thought on this? - Thanks

Does anyone faced with random reboots after upgrading? Not BSOD, just sudden freezing and then reboot

Please do SoMe premiere Pro video editing testing on the surface Pro 9

How much storage can the surface pro 9 accept? I mean can I use an 4tb SSD?

HI, thnaks for the great video. Is any one having issues with Micron 1Tb SSD ?

works perfect got a 2tb and used a samsung 128gb flash drive to reinstall windows. moral of the story. buy a 256gb model and upgrade it yourself to save big bucks

great work, what is the speed of read and write of 2TB? is it the same as 256GB (around 1 to 2 GB/sec)

Please can you provide a link to buy the ssd 1tb for surface pro9 thanks

Will the "Micron 2TB 2400 M.2 2230 NVMe PCIe 4.0x4 SSD MTFDKBK2T0QFM-1BD1AABYYR" work, found it on Amazon. I just purchased a Surface Pro 9 Intel Core i7 256gb

What is the max memory a Surface Pro can handle. I have 1TB. Thank you.

pelase can you help me my surface pro 9 stuck at surface logo

Anyone know if a Surface Pro8 would be able to accept a 2TB drive upgrade or is 1TB the max?

My surface pro 3 has an issue due to automatic upgrade windows 10 to 21H1, the internal iGPU HD4400 driver always rollback to 2016 years version, and hardware decode acceleration on task-manager could not working properly, this is a big trouble to me .....:( I just use this device as a youtube client...what are you doing? Microsoft

Great step by step except one thing -- why omit the shield on the inside and put on a thermal pad on the outside of the SSD. Very strange.

Very descriptive video. When you download the Surface Recovery Image at 4:40 I can read its Windows 10? how can that be?

Please advise... I purchased a 1TB ssd for my Surface Pro 9 ARM but before installing I went to MS tech support page. I was informed that the Intel version bios only supports 1TB, while the ARM version BIOS only supports 512GB. So if the bios only supports 1TB for your Intel variant, how would the 2TB SSD be fully accessible/usable?

Does it support pci gen 4? or gen 3 is enough?

it is nice is it also possible by just clone the old SSD on the new one to do it

I put the silver back onto the new ssd and noticed the temp went down by 1 Celsius, without thermal pad or paste

10/10

Cbutters: I got mine from Reddit and he got it from the flea market 😂 Also cbutters: look at this video of younger less rugged me 😉

After I saw your video, I bought SP 9 256G too. what is the brand and type of your 2TB SSD? thank you in advance

Does this change anything about the warranty?

Hi, what max size of SSD can you set in the surface pro ? I'm looking for 4To, is it possible ?

According to the service manual, you need a Torx Plus IP3 driver for the SSD drive screw, not a standard Torx 3. As I found out when I tried to remove the existing drive with a Torx 3.

Se puede aumentar la memoria Ram?

Hi I'm seem to be stuck on the serial number part. I just keep getting a (syntax error: unexpected token '

Ok please help! I did everything but it come up with "couldnt find a bootable operating sysytem. Check the boot configuration to try to fix this" HEEEELPPPP XX

Ummmmmmm mine goes to the surface bios it doesn’t give me any of those options

Why is Surface Pro 9 running SSD on PCIe 3.0 instead of PCIe 4.0...?😬

Hello, is it possible to create the recovery drive from Windows 10 or it has to be created from Windows 11? Thanks for you help

techanicaly if theirs no OS on the SSD it will automaticaly try to boot to the usb drive!

This is helpful. Thanks. Also, it might be worth mentioning up front that you need a 16 GB flash drive. I had used an 8 GB and had to start over again.

Anyone have a line on these 2TB NVMe Drives?

So when you use the recovery usb your files will still be there or niet?

anyone have the issue where the touchscreen isn't working when booting up the new image? I can't select language or anything, touchscreen nor keyboard are working. (Surface Pro 9, brand new out of the box)

Hi, I did what I need to do. It works well for a few hours. However, after some windows/ driver updates and I end up having a bluescreen error. Now, I need to restore again the windows again and install apps. Do you know what I need to do in case it happens again? (The bluescreen - unable to restart)

Hey! Any idea if the WD SN740 will work on the SP9? Very little information around Gen4 compatible SSDs...

Hi, Is Micron 2450 m.2 1TB is good for surface pro 9 ?

Mines stuck now on selecting a language

I’ve keep having same issue install2.swm doesn’t transfer to the usb I made. I tried even putting in on my pc first. But it gives me error 0x8000x4005. But I tried several things but still not working.