How to Install Hard Drive in Laptop

If you want to know how to install a hard drive in a laptop to improve its performance or expand space, you've come to the right place. This step-by-step guide will teach you how to install the hard drive correctly and protect your data.

This guide from EaseUS provides detailed instructions on how to install a hard drive in a laptop. Whether it's an M.2 or SATA interface, an SSD, or an HDD, this tutorial can help you increase your laptop's speed or expand its storage space.

Preparation Before Installing

Part 1. Determine whether it is suitable to install the hard disk

• Confirm laptop model: Whether it supports adding or replacing a hard drive. You can check it on the official website or contact the manufacturer.
• Confirm laptop warranty matters: If the laptop is within the warranty period, installing the hard drive by yourself may affect the warranty, so we recommend consulting the manufacturer.

Part 2. Purchase a compatible HDD or SSD

• Hard drive types: You can install HDD or SSD on your laptop. If possible, it is recommended to use SSD as the system disk to increase speed and HDD as an auxiliary storage disk to expand capacity.

• Hard disk interface and protocol: Consult your laptop dealer to get information on the hard disk interface(M.2, SATA, or PCIe) and protocol(NVMe or SCSI).
• Hard drive size: 2.5-inch hard drive or M.2 SSD series hard drives like 2260 and 2280. Standard laptop hard drive thicknesses are 7mm, 9.5mm, 12.5mm, and 17.5mm; for ultra-thin notebooks, a 7mm or 9.5mm hard drive may be required.

Part 3. Must-have tools

• A precision screwdriver set: Magnetic Torx or Phillips screwdrivers are preferred.
• Anti-static device: Anti-static wristband or gloves. Avoid static electricity damaging electronic components during operation.
• Hard drive bracket: Some laptops require a hard drive bracket to hold the hard drive.

Part 4. Clone hard drive to new one

If you want to keep all your data without reinstalling the system, you can use disk cloning software like EaseUS Disk Copy to transfer all data from the old hard drive to the new one. It supports cloning HDD and SSD to M.2 SSD, or cloning SSD to HDD without losing data.

Moreover, you can also clone the boot drive in Windows. It's very convenient for you to use the new hard disk as a boot disk directly.

Install Hard Drive in Laptop Detailed Steps

Here are the detailed steps on how to add or replace hard drives on your laptop. Depending on the laptop model, some steps may vary a little, but the overall direction is the same. Before installing, you should learn the details of your computer's hard drive and check the relevant manual. You can seek help from a professional.

Step 1. Make sure to shut down your laptop completely and unplug the power cord. If your computer's battery is removable, remove it now. If not, proceed to the next step.

Step 2. Wear anti-static gloves or wristbands to prevent static damage.

Step 3. Turn the laptop bottom up and use a screwdriver to remove the screws from the case. Then, remove the outer case carefully.

Note: Place all unscrewed screws carefully in separate sections to prevent them from being lost or mixed up.

Step 4. Locate the battery. Remove the connector and disconnect it carefully. You can press and hold the power button or press it quickly several times to release the residual charge. Please check the laptop's manual.

Step 5. Remove the old hard drive. Find the hard drive and use a small screwdriver to remove the screws that secure it.

Note: Some laptop hard drives are under the motherboard. Thus, You need to disassemble the motherboard first. Be sure to carefully unplug the corresponding cables before removing it. Some SSD hard drives will have a heat sink shell. You need to remove the heat sink shell first and then remove the SSD.

Step 6. After removing all the screws, carefully remove the hard drive by shaking it from side to side. Do not pull it out forcefully, as this may damage the connection interface.

Step 7. Remove the hard drive cage. Some laptops use a drive cage to secure the hard drive. You need to remove the old hard drive and install the new hard drive in the drive cage.

Step 8. Install the new hard drive. Install the new one and carefully insert it into the hard drive interface, and then tighten the screws.

Step 9. Restore all the steps just now.

• Connect the motherboard, if necessary.
• Connect all cables.
• Installing the battery.
• Install the back cover and tighten all screws.

Step 10. Turn on your laptop. Connect the power supply and turn on the laptop.

Bonus Tip: Manage the New Disk

For newly installed hard drives, some settings will be different depending on the purpose. The following are two general cases.

1️⃣Set the new hard drive as the boot drive

If you want to use the new hard drive as a boot disk, you can do these:

• Clone the hard drive: Use cloning software such as EaseUS Disk Copy to clone the original hard drive data to the new hard drive, including the operating system and applications.
• BIOS settings: Restart the computer and enter the BIOS, adjust the boot order, and set the new hard drive as the first boot item.

2️⃣Set the new hard drive as a secondary hard drive

• Disk management: Use the Disk Management tool in Windows to initialize the new hard drive and create a new partition.
• File system formatting: Format the new partition and select a suitable file system like NTFS.
• Data migration: Copy data files to the partition of the new hard drive, or use the disk cloning tool to migrate the required data.