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Home / How Easy is It to Put in a Hard Drive

How Easy is It to Put in a Hard Drive

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  • Desktop Hard Drives
    • |
  • Laptop Hard Drives

Hard drives are data storage devices that a computer uses to store a computer's operating system, applications, and files. You may want to install a hard drive on your computer to gain additional storage space or to replace a faulty hard drive. This wikiHow teaches you how to install a hard drive in a desktop or laptop computer.

  1. 1

    Make sure that you're using a Windows computer. While it's technically possible to replace an iMac hard drive, doing so is incredibly difficult and could void your warranty. Windows desktop computers, on the other hand, tend to be fairly easy to tinker with.

    • If you want to install a hard drive on a Mac computer, you can take it to an Apple professional and have them help you.

  2. 2

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  3. 3

    Make sure you are able to install a hard on your computer. Before you go purchasing a new hard drive for your computer, make sure you are able to install a new hard drive on your computer. If you want to install a second hard drive on your desktop PC, make sure it has an expansion slot that allows you to install a second hard drive. If you have an all-in-one PC monitor, make sure the hard drive inside the monitor is replaceable.

  4. 4

    Buy a hard drive that is compatible with your desktop motherboard. SATA is the most common hard drive type for modern computers, though many newer motherboards support M.2 SSD hard drives, which are much smaller and often faster than SATA drives (if the drive and your motherboard support NVMe).[1]

    • SATA drives come in two sizes. 3.5 inch (8.9 cm) SATA drives are used in most desktop computers. All-in-one PC monitors may require a 2.7 inch (6.9 cm) SATA drive.
    • M.2 SSDs come in a variety of sizes. This size of the drive is coded using a 4 digit number. For example, a 2280 M.2 drive is 22x80 mm, and a 2260 M.2 device is 22x60 mm. In order to install an M.2 SSD, you'll need to see if your motherboard has an M.2 connector slot, and what size SSD the motherboard supports. 2280 is the most common size for desktop computers. You'll also need to check if the M.2 connector slot on your has an M or B key slot. An M.2 SSD with an M key slot will not fit in a B key connector. Check the manual for your motherboard and make sure the M.2 SSD you purchase is compatible with your motherboard. [2]
    • Solid State Drive (SSD) vs. Hard Disk Drive (HDD): Hard Disk Drives are mechanical disk drives. They are usually slower, but less expensive. Solid State Drives have no moving parts. They are much faster, quieter, and more expensive. You can also purchase a hybrid HDD/SSD drive.

  5. 5

    Shut off and unplug your computer. To shut down your computer, click the Windows Start icon, and then click the power icon in the Start menu. Click Shut Down to turn off your computer. You can also press and hold the power button on your laptop keyboard, or desktop PC tower to shut down your computer. Unplug your computer and press the power button to exhaust any residual electricity in the computer electronics.

  6. 6

    Remove you computer panel. You will most likely need a Phillips screwdriver. Remove the side panel of the computer tower. You may need to remove both sides of the computer tower.

  7. 7

    Ground yourself . This will prevent electrostatic shock from damaging the components of your computer. You can ground yourself by touching something metal while you work, or purchasing static wrist bands that you wear while you work inside your computer.

  8. 8

    Remove the old drive . If you are removing an old hard drive, make sure any and all cables are disconnected from both the motherboard and the power supply. If the hard drive is screwed in, remove all the screws.

    • You may need to remove more cables or cards in order to access the hard drives in a tight case.

  9. 9

    Transfer hard drive enclosure to the new hard drive (if present). Some computers use a special enclosure to secure the hard drive. If your hard drive has an enclosure for the hard drive, remove all the screws and pull the old hard drive out. Place the new hard drive in the same enclosure and secure it with the screws.

  10. 10

    Insert your new drive. Place the hard drive in the hard drive slot the old hard drive was housed in, or the expansion slot for a new hard drive.

  11. 11

    Secure the hard drive. Once the hard drive has been inserted, use the screws that came with it to secure the hard drive in the housing. Ideally, you should use two screws on each side of the hard drive. If the hard drive is loose, it can rattle and cause more noise and lead to physical damage.

    • Tighten the screws to a firm tightness, but don't over-tighten as that may cause damage as well.

  12. 12

    Attach the drive to the motherboard. Newer hard drives will use SATA cables, which are thin and resemble USB cables. Use a SATA cable to connect the hard drive to the motherboard. SATA cables can be connected in either direction.

    • To install an M.2 SSD, simply insert the SSD into the M.2 slot at a 30-degree angle. Press down on the other end of the SSD and screw it to the motherboard.
    • If you are connecting your primary hard drive, the SATA cable should be plugged into the first SATA channel. This may be labeled SATA0 or SATA1. Refer to your motherboard documentation for detailed information for your motherboard.

  13. 13

    Connect the power supply to the hard drive. Most newer power supplies have SATA power connectors, though older power supplies typically only have Molex (4 pin) connectors. If this is the case, and you are installing a SATA drive, you will need a Molex-to-SATA adapter.

    • Ensure that none of the cables can come undone by wiggling them a little bit.

  14. 14

    Close up your computer. Replace the case sides and reconnect your cables if you had to move the case to work on the inside.[3]

  15. 15

    Plug back in and turn back on your computer. You should hear the hard drive begin to spin up.

    • If you hear beeps or any jarring noises, immediately turn off the computer and check the hard drive's connections.

  16. 16

    Install an operating system . Empty hard drives require an operating system to be installed on them before you can use your computer again.

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  1. 1

    Back up your laptop's information . If you're replacing a laptop's hard drive, you'll want to back up the information that's on the hard drive so that you can restore it onto the new hard drive later.

  2. 2

    Make sure you can add or replace the hard drive in your laptop. Before you purchase a new hard drive for your laptop, check the user's manual or open your laptop to make sure you can replace or install a second hard drive. The majority of laptops do not have an expansion slot to install a second hard drive. On some newer laptops, the hard drive may be soldered in place and/or not replaceable.

  3. 3

    Buy a hard drive that matches your model of laptop. Most modern computers and laptops use SATA drives. Search for a hard drive that works with your model of computer, then purchase your preferred option. Most laptops use a 2.7 inch (6.9 cm) SATA drives. Some newer laptops use M.2 SSDs, which are much smaller and faster than SATA drives.

    • M.2 SSDs come in a variety of sizes. This size of the drive is coded using a 4 digit number. For example, a 2280 M.2 drive is 22x80 mm, and a 2260 M.2 device is 22x60 mm. In order to install an M.2 SSD, you'll need to see if your motherboard has an M.2 connector slot, and what size SSD the motherboard supports. 2280 is the most common size for desktop computers. You'll also need to check if the M.2 connector slot on your has an M or B key slot. An M.2 SSD with an M key slot will not fit in a B key connector. Check the manual for your motherboard and make sure the M.2 SSD you purchase is compatible with your motherboard.
    • Solid State Drive (SSD) vs. Hard Disk Drive (HDD): Hard Disk Drives are mechanical disk drives. They are usually slower, but less expensive. Solid State Drives have no moving parts. They are much faster, quieter, and more expensive. You can also purchase a hybrid HDD/SSD drive.

  4. 4

    Turn off your laptop. Disconnect your laptop from its charger, then press and hold the Power button until the laptop turns off. You can also use the laptop's Power settings to turn it off:

    • Windows - Click the Windows Start menu, click the power icon, and click Shut down.
    • Mac - Click the Apple icon in the menu bar, click Shut Down..., and click Shut Down when prompted.

  5. 5

    Turn over your laptop. Shut your laptop's lid, then flip it over so that the bottom of the laptop is facing up.

  6. 6

    Remove the bottom of the laptop. This will vary from laptop to laptop, but you'll usually need a screwdriver to remove the case. Use a plastic pry tool to carefully go around the edges of where the bottom panel is attached to the keyboard and carefully pry it loose.

    • Many laptops require special screwdrivers, such as Pentalobe models, or tri-wing screwdriver, to unlock the case.
    • Some laptops, such as Mac laptops, will require you to unscrew several screws around the border of the case.
    • Be careful of any ribbons or cables attached to the motherboard from the bottom panel. If you find any cables or ribbons attached, make a note of where they are attached, and carefully remove them.

  7. 7

    Ground yourself . This will prevent you from accidentally harming your computer's delicate internals with static electricity. You can ground yourself by touching something metal or by purchasing static wrist bands that you wear while you work on your computer.

  8. 8

    Remove the battery if possible. Most laptops will allow you to remove the battery, which will prevent you from inadvertently shocking yourself during the hard drive installation.

  9. 9

    Open the hard disk panel (if present). On some laptops, the hard drive may be housed inside a special panel. The panel can usually be identified by the hard drive logo printed next to it. You will usually need a small Phillip's head screwdriver in order to remove the screws and the panel.

  10. 10

    Unscrew the hard drive. Depending on the laptop, the hard drive may be secured in place with screws. Remove all screws holding the laptop in place.

  11. 11

    Remove the existing hard drive if necessary. Slide it out from the connection port that it is attached to. There may be a release latch or ribbon you pull to disconnect the hard drive. The hard drive will pop back about half an inch, allowing you to remove it from its housing.

    • You may also need to disconnect your hard drive from a wire or cable.
    • It's best to place your old hard drive somewhere safe in case you need to retrieve data off of it.

  12. 12

    Transfer hard drive enclosure to the new hard drive (if present). Some computers use a special enclosure to secure the hard drive. If your hard drive has an enclosure for the hard drive, remove all the screws and pull the old hard drive out. Place the new hard drive in the same enclosure and secure it with the screws.

  13. 13

    Insert your new hard drive. Ensure that you insert it with the correct side facing out, then press it firmly into the connectors. Do not force the hard drive, or you may damage the connectors.

    • If you had to remove screws to remove the original hard drive, screw them back in as well.
    • To install an M.2 SSD, insert the SSD in the M.2 slot at a 30-degree angle and then press down on the other end of the SSD. Use a screw to secure the SSD to the motherboard.

  14. 14

    Connect any wires that you unplugged. If you had to detach any wires or cables from the original hard drive, reattach them to the new hard drive.

  15. 15

    Close back up your laptop. Replace the bottom of the case and any screws holding it in place.

    • If you needed to disconnect any ribbons or cables to remove the bottom panel, be sure to reconnect them before closing the laptop.

  16. 16

    Install an operating system . Empty hard drives require an operating system to be installed on them before you can use your computer again.

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Add New Question

  • Question

    Do hard drives come with the needed cables or will I need to purchase them separately?

    Community Answer

    They don't. You either get the cables with the motherboard or you buy them separately.

  • Question

    Can I take an old hard drive out of one computer and put it in as a backup storage drive in a new computer with a different operating system?

    Community Answer

    You'll have to reformat your hard drive, but yes, you can use that hard drive as extra storage for almost any PC.

  • Question

    How can I find out which hard drive I need for my Laptop?

    Community Answer

    Talking to a tech professional (like a specialist at a store selling computers and related items) would be best. However, the word 'need' is misleading, as you can use a lot of different hard drives in some laptops.

  • Question

    I have replaced a hard drive that's fully loaded, but my PC cannot recognize it. I am told to reboot, but either the screen is blank or I am told to replace my battery, which doesn't help either. What should I do

    Community Answer

    If by "fully loaded," you mean that you have taken out a hard drive from a different computer that had the operating system already installed on it and put it into a new computer, this unfortunately will not work. The drivers that were installed with the operating system on your older computer are almost certainly not compatible with the drivers needed for your new computer. You will have to back up all of your stored data (desktop, documents, downloads, music, photos, videos, etc.) from the "fully loaded" drive, and then completely erase the "fully loaded" drive and install the operating system with all of the drivers needed for your new computer from scratch.

  • Question

    What should I do if I don't have screws for my laptop's hard drive?

    Community Answer

    Try to find screws that will match the necessary size, either in a shop or online. A friend or colleague might also have some spare ones you could use. You can also connect the laptop's hard drive without any screws. The connection is quite firm, but it's still safer with screws since they ensure that the connection between the drive and laptop doesn't come loose.

  • Question

    What do I do when my hard drive has been damaged?

    Community Answer

    Try to fix it. If your computer can still turn on and load Windows, use the 'chkdsk' command in the Command Line followed by the name of the disk, for example 'chkdsk C:' for the C drive, followed by 'chkdsk C: /f' to fix errors found. However, if it doesn't load Windows then it's best you take it in to a specialist, most have programs that run from a disk that can check for errors, or they can fix mechanical faults or tell you to buy a new one. If you still have a receipt, maybe ask for a new one.

  • Question

    What tools do I need to install a hard drive?

    Community Answer

    You need a Phillips screwdriver to open your computer (although most desktops have thumbscrews), and if you are installing an SSD drive, then you might need a 2.5"-to-3.5" bracket.

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  • Hard drives emit heat when they are running. If your computer has multiple hard drive bays, consider positioning your hard drives so that there is empty space between them to help keep your computer running cooler.

  • Pay close attention to static electricity when working with the inner components of your computer. You can use an anti-static strip or touch the screw on an active light switch cover to ground yourself before touching the components and cables inside your computer.

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  • Not all computers will support having their hard drives replaced, especially in the case of laptops.

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About This Article

Article Summary X

1. Make sure your computer has an expandable hard drive slot or replaceable hard drive.
2. Back up all your data.
3. Purchase a hard drive that fits your needs and is the right size for your computer.
4. Shut down your computer.
5. Remove the side panel on your desktop tower or bottom panel on your laptop.
6. Disconnect the SATA cable and power supply cable from the old hard drive.
7. Remove any screws or the special enclosure holding the old hard drive in place.
8. Place the new hard drive in the enclosure, or hard drive slot. 9. Attach the SATA cable and power supply cable.
10. Secure the hard drive in place with screws.
11. Replace the side or bottom panel on your desktop tower or laptop.
12. Power on your computer.
13. Install a new operating system on your computer.

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