{"id":1782836,"date":"2024-09-20T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-20T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sweetcare01\/sweetcare\/articles\/how-to-install-a-hard-drive-in-a-pc\/"},"modified":"2024-09-18T16:52:19","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T20:52:19","slug":"how-to-install-a-hard-drive-in-a-pc","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/articles\/how-to-install-a-hard-drive-in-a-pc\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Install a Hard Drive in a PC"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Installing an additional hard drive is important because storage is at a premium if you\u2019re a musician, a gamer, a video editor, or a photographer. File storage can add up fast, and running too many processes on a hard drive with little space can affect performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this guide, we will show you how to install hard drives of different sizes, including M.2 SSDs, 3.5 SATA, and 2.5 SATA hard drives. Follow the sections below to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol type=\"1\"><li><a href=\"#Getting-Started\"><strong>Getting Started<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How-to-Install-an-M.2-SSD-Hard-Drive\"><strong>How to Install an M.2 SSD Hard Drive<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How-to-Install-3.5-and-2.5-SATA-Hard-Drives\"><strong>How to Install 3.5 and 2.5 SATA Hard Drives<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li><strong><a href=\"#Formatting-Hard-Drives-in-Windows\">Formatting Hard Drives in Windows<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"Getting-Started\">Getting Started<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f3f2f1\"><strong>TIP: <\/strong>Your computer\u2019s motherboard\u2019s user manual always includes detailed connection and installation diagrams you can refer to. When in doubt, always check the user manual!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you can install a new hard drive in your Windows PC, you\u2019ll need a few additional things for installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>A small Phillips-head screwdriver (preferably magnet tipped)<\/li><li>A small plastic container<\/li><li>SATA cables (2) for 2.5 and 3.5 SATA drives<ul><li>M.2 hard drives do not require cables.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>A smooth, hard surface for installation<\/li><li>A static wrist band (<em>optional for grounding<\/em>)<\/li><li>Compressed air (<em>optional<\/em>)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You also need to make sure the hard drive you purchase is compatible with your computer. In some instances, particularly with older computers, a hard drive may require a Molex connector for power purposes. In the case of M.2 SSD hard drives, you also need to determine the hard drive protocol (<a href=\"#PCIe-NVMe-and-SATA-M.2-SSDs\">PCIe\/NVMe or SATA<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"How-to-Install-an-M.2-SSD-Hard-Drive\">How to Install an M.2 SSD Hard Drive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>M.2 SSD hard drives are low-profile hard drives that look just like a stick of gum. They are inserted directly into your motherboard. Not all motherboards have M.2 slots, so make sure to check your motherboard\u2019s user manual and motherboard diagram beforehand!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol type=\"1\"><li>Carefully lay your computer on its side, remove the side panel, and ground yourself.<\/li><li>If the inside of the computer looks dirty, now is a great time to use compressed air to clear out any dust that may be clogging the fans.<\/li><li>Locate the M.2 socket on the motherboard, unscrew the Phillips-head screw, and place the screw in a small plastic container.<\/li><li>Some of the M.2 sockets are covered by a preinstalled heat sink that you will need to remove. Check your motherboard\u2019s manual for more information.<\/li><li>Grab your M.2 drive by its sides, line up the key slots on the drive to the key slots on the socket, and insert the drive at an angle. You may need to wiggle it slightly so it pops into place.<\/li><li>Press the M.2 drive down. Insert and tighten the Phillips-head screw to secure it in place. Don\u2019t overtighten it!<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"Enabling-M.2-Drive-in-BIOS\">Enabling M.2 Drive in BIOS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before booting into Windows, you may need to enable the M.2 drive within your BIOS settings to ensure it functions correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol type=\"1\"><li>Boot up your computer. Enter your BIOS using your computer\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/articles\/how-to-update-bios\/#Open-BIOS-with-BIOS-Keystroke\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BIOS keystroke<\/a>.<\/li><li>Go to its advanced settings, look for the PCIe\/NVMe settings, and check to make sure everything is enabled.<\/li><li>Navigating the BIOS and its settings differs by motherboard, so check out your motherboard\u2019s user manual to learn how to do so.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to Install an M.2 SSD in a Desktop PC \u2013 Kingston Technology\" width=\"620\" height=\"349\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Sb7G2g9Jy6U?wmode=transparent&amp;rel=0&amp;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>How to Install an M.2 SSD in a Desktop PC<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"PCIe-NVMe-and-SATA-M.2-SSDs\">PCIe\/NVMe and SATA M.2 SSDs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two M.2 SSD hard drive protocols: PCIe\/NVMe and SATA. Some motherboards only support SATA, but there are others that support both. Refer to your motherboard\u2019s user manual to confirm the compatible protocol(s) before purchasing an M.2 SSD! Check out this video from our friends at Kingston to learn about M.2 SSD hard drive protocols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"SATA M.2 SSD vs PCIe M.2 SSD - What\u2019s the difference? \u2013 DIY in 5 Ep 172\" width=\"620\" height=\"349\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8iNf8hRn1N0?wmode=transparent&amp;rel=0&amp;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>SATA M.2 SSD vs PCIe M.2 SSD &#8211; What\u2019s the difference?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"How-to-Install-3.5-and-2.5-SATA-Hard-Drives\">How to Install 3.5 and 2.5 SATA Hard Drives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f3f2f1\"><strong>NOTE: <\/strong>SATA data cables are 7-pin cables. SATA power cables are 15-pin cables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3.5 and 2.5 SATA hard drives are installed very similarly to each other. You will need a data SATA cable to connect to your motherboard, and, depending on how many SATA power cables you have, you may need another one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol type=\"1\"><li>Carefully lay your computer on its side, remove the side panel, and ground yourself.<ul><li>If the inside of the computer looks dirty, now is a great time to use some compressed air to clear out any dust that may be clogging the fans.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Locate the hard drive bay, remove the bracket, locate the screw holes on the hard drive, and line them up with the screw holes on the bracket, making sure that the SATA connection points are facing out.<\/li><li>Screw in the hard drive so it\u2019s secure, but don\u2019t overtighten!<\/li><li>Connect the SATA data cable from the hard drive directly to an available SATA port on your motherboard.<\/li><li>Connect the SATA power cable to the hard drive.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to Install a 2.5&quot; SATA SSD in a Desktop PC \u2013 Kingston Technology\" width=\"620\" height=\"349\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/s8M-NmDNTho?wmode=transparent&amp;rel=0&amp;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>How to Install a 2.5&#8243; SATA SSD in a Desktop PC<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"Formatting-Hard-Drives-in-Windows\">Formatting Hard Drives in Windows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After you have installed your new hard drive, you will need to boot into Windows and format it so that you can begin using it. Check out our guide on formatting hard drives on your Windows PC!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/articles\/how-to-format-an-external-hard-drive-on-windows-10\/\" class=\"relatedcontent_link\" class=\"wp-block-cgb-block-related-content\"><div class=\"relatedcontent_block\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/media\/2019\/04\/Windows-HD-Hero.png);background-size:cover;background-position:center\"><div class=\"relatedcontent_overlay_content\"><\/div><div class=\"relatedcontent-text relatedcontent_content\"><p class=\"relatedcontent_title\" style=\"color:#fff\">How to Format an External Hard Drive on Windows 10<\/p><p class=\"relatedcontent_subhead\" style=\"color:#fff;border:none\">Click here to learn how to format an external hard drive on Windows.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/a>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1782837,"template":"","categories":[523088,3,350443,142726,7],"tags":[34850,533902,34222,533903,533904,533905,533901,54724],"storecat":[142989],"itemids":[],"manufacturers":[202712],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v17.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In this guide, we will show you how to install SSD and HDD hard drive in your Windows PC. 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