with the original smaller ssd back in the pc: boot up. search for ‘device encryption’ in the ‘settings’ app to find where to configure it. if you disable it, it will take a little time to decrypt. reboot afterwords once even if it doesn’t ‘need to’ after the process has completed.
if fast startup is enabled, disable it. if it’s enabled, a ‘shut down’ just logs out and hibernates, and we don’t really want to clone a hibernating system. this setting is found in the legacy control panel’s (look for ‘windows tools’ in the full start menu) power options on the same page as ‘choose what the power buttons do’. then shut the pc down. you’re ready to clone.