Very interesting webpage about this upgrade … https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/upgrading-2013-2014-macbook-pro-ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/
that is interesting. Thanks for sharing.
tim
These are my tips for upgrading a MacBook Pro A1502 (Early 2015) from a 500 Gb SSD to a new 1Tb or 2Tb SSD whilst running Windows 10 under BootCamp.
Read them in total before starting this upgrade
• Use a genuine apple SSD if you can afford it. $$$$ ! … but check the likes of eBay, Tradme etc.
• If you wish to save a considerable amount of money use an “XPG Adada SX8200 Pro 1Tb or 2Tb NVMe SSD”. These are m2 format SSD’s so use a “Sintech ST-NGFF2013-C” adapter to make the new SSD fit the MacBook’s 12x16 Socket. The manufactures email for the adapter is: sale@sintech.cn and the adapter can be purchase online via eBay, Amazon etc. Note: These SSD’s come with a small heatsink that I was able to use, but it is a tight fit in the MacBook.
• Upgrade the MacOS to 10.13.6 High Sierra. This is the first version of the macOS that gives the required NVMe drivers and automatically updates the BootRom of the MacBook. MacOS Mojave has reported some issues with this upgrade, so I suggest you only consider upgrading to Mojave AFTER the new SSD is working.
• Purchase a copy of WinClone version 6 or 7. Earlier versions will not run on MacOS 10.13.6
• The SSD upgrade and or the WinClone process will de-activate your copy of Windows 10 so make certain the you have the licence key to hand prior to starting the process.
o A copy of “ShowKeyPlus” will show you your current key. The program can be found free on the internet.
o Under windows pressing the “cmd + s” at the same time will bring up the search bar. Type “Settings” and select the app. Scroll to the bottom where you will find “Update and Security”, select Activation. At the top, you need to see “Windows is activated with a digital licence and linked to your Microsoft Account”… GREAT. If you see that it is activated but linked to an organization, it is likely that you are running Windows 10 Enterprise and you will not be able to link that copy of Windows 10 to your MS Account. This will cause you problems re-activating Windows 10 following the SSD change. If this is the case, I suggest that you downgrade to Windows 10 Professional by buying a new “Windows 10 Professional Retail key” (available on eBay) and in inserting it via the “Change Product Key” tab.
o Press “cmd + s” and type “Manage your Account” under your name at the top you should see your email and the word “Administrator”. This will mean that following the upgrade you will be able to click on “Trouble Shooting” to reactivate you windows activation. If doesn’t say that, register new Microsoft Account and link it to your MacBook. If required, you can change a “Local Account” to an Administrator Account using the “Family & Other People” tab found under “Settings” – “Accounts”. Select the account and select Administrator.
For information - Windows Generis Keys (Two week test activation keys) might get you out of trouble and allow your system to start:
• Windows 10 Home: TX9XD-98N7V-6WMQ6-BX7FG-H8Q99
• Windows 10 Pro: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
• Windows 10 Home Single Language: 7HNRX-D7KGG-3K4RQ-4WPJ4-YTDFH
• Windows 10 Enterprise: NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43
o Make a USB bootable Installer for High Sierra (10.13.6). The process can be found here https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372. I used a copy of the MacOS found here https://themacgo.com/macOS-high-sierra-10-13-6-dmg-mac-free-download-iso/ …… Note: This is vital, if you simply run “Cmd” + “R” to enter MacOS Recovery following insertion of the new SSD, without the USB drive (with its copy of High Sierra) will not be able to see the new SSD. The USB has later software than the recovery software linked to your 2015 MacBook.
• Boot into the MacOS, then via the “LauchPad”, open the “Boot Camp Assistant”. Using the menu at the top of the screen download the latest version of the Windows Support Software”. Follow the instructions found on the following link to install the latest drivers on your version of Windows 10: http://support.twocanoes.com/hc/en-us/articles/203443697-Install-Boot-Camp-Drivers … For this operation you may also need to Re-Activate your windows so have the key ready.
• Check for any updates on MacOS and Windows 10 and install them.
• Boot into Windows and Type “cmd + s” and type “cmd” in the search bar. When it appears in the list right click on it and select “Run as Administrator”. Type chkdsk and press enter …… note the response. Next type chkdsk /b and press enter …… be prepared to wait hours. 5-6 hours is not unheard of and a static (apparently frozen) number is common, be patient. Hopefully in time the system will complete the operation. Sometimes it will reboot …… I don’t know if this is a normal conclusion to the process or whether you must restart chkdsk /b. if you are having problems view this video https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wWYDTFnjXBk it is very informative re getting chkdsk to work.
• Boot into MacOS and WinClone. In WinClone 7 I selected “Create Image from Volume”, be prepared to wait a long time … like chkdsk this may take many hours depending on your existing storage. The resulting image may be smaller than your existing partition, but it will be a very big file …. Not a few Kb! Background to the process can be found here: www.twocanoes.com/getting-started-winclone/ . Store the image on an external drive that is formatted in a format that can be read by the macOS …. I used Ex-Fat which can be read by both Windows and macOS.
• If you want to clone your mac setup … Use Time Machine and save the image to the same external drive. This may require a separate partition since Time Machine is very fussy about the format of the drive onto which it will save its image.
• Have a look at the following link https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/upgrading-2013-2014-macbook-pro-ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/ it has some good background information regarding this hardware upgrade.
• When all the above is completed …. Turn off the MacBook and swap the SSD’s. Insert the USB with High Sierra on it and boot from it. Format the SSD using Disk Utilities. Then install a new operating system from the USB or run Time Machine and reinstall your macOS to it previous state.
• Boot to the macOS. Create a BOOTCAMP partition using Disk Utilities. Run WinClone and restore your bootcamp (windows) partition. This will take many hours and will appear to freeze …. be patient and let it do its thing. When completed reboot and holding the “alt” key down boot into Windows. Any problems use safe mode to start and restart from there. If this doesn’t work, then an USB EFI copy of Windows 10 may prove useful for the first start.
• This worked for me and my new SSD is much faster than the old Apple SSD. A free macOS App called AJA System Test Lite will illustrate the read write speeds, before and after if you are interested.
• Hope this helps
PS This link has a few pictures that may help https://grh.am/2018/nvme-ssd-upgrade-guide-for-an-early-2015-macbook-pro/
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