Hey everyone! I’ve got a 64GB Steam Deck and recently picked up a 2TB NVMe SSD to upgrade it. I came across some guides suggesting that I need to use a USB-C NVMe enclosure to clone my current SSD to the new one while in desktop mode. However, I was wondering if it would be possible to use a third-party Steam Deck dock alongside a USB-A flash drive or microSD card to clone the data instead. Can I clone the 64GB SSD to the USB-A flash drive, then install the 2TB SSD and clone the data back from the USB-A to the new SSD? Is that too complicated, or does it just not work at all? The reason I want to use the dock is that I need it to connect my Steam Deck to a monitor or TV and I’d prefer not to spend extra on an NVMe enclosure that I would only use once. There’s also a guide that mentions using Clonezilla to boot a USB-C flash drive, clone my original SSD to an image on a microSD, and then restore that image to the new SSD. This would require buying a USB-C flash drive, which I also don’t have at the moment. Are there any other options for cloning or backing up my 64GB SSD to the new 2TB SSD without too much hassle? I’ve got important apps and games I don’t want to lose, and I’d rather not have to reinstall everything.
3 Answers
Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend using a USB flash drive for cloning. They can be pretty slow, and cloning can take a long time. Plus, the two types of flash media might not behave the same way, leading to potential issues. I’d say go for the NVMe enclosure. It’ll save you a lot of headaches, especially since you’ll be doing the cloning directly from the Steam Deck’s desktop mode. You definitely want to avoid any fail or false positives during the process, which could mess up your new SSD installation.
Using a dock to clone might sound convenient, but honestly, I’d just invest in an NVMe enclosure. It’s like everyone’s go-to method for these scenarios, and you don’t want to mess around with potential data loss. Keep in mind, if you’re cloning from desktop mode, there could be issues with files that are in use or locked while copying, so the enclosure provides a safer bet.
Exactly! Cloning is best done when you don’t have files in use. The NVMe enclosure seems like the safest and most effective method for this kind of task.
About those docks: while some of the cheaper ones might claim to output higher refresh rates, you need to check if they’re fully compatible with the Steam Deck. The official dock generally guarantees stable performance. If you’re aiming for that smooth 120Hz for older games, the official dock may be your best bet, though I’ve heard some third-party models do a decent job too. Just be mindful of what you purchase for reliable performance!
You’re right about the speed! I didn’t consider that at first. Connecting a USB-C dock to a USB-A flash drive would make the process slower, even for just 64GB. And not to mention the risks involved if something goes wrong!