Once it’s off, unplug the SATA-to-USB cable from your system and remove the cable from your SSD.

Now that the SSD is unattached from your system, remove the power cable and battery (laptops only). To see how to remove the battery, refer to your owner’s manual.

This removes any electricity still in the system.

How you do this will vary from system to system, so consult your owner’s manual for exact instructions.

Simply touch an unpainted metal surface. This protects your system’s components from the static electricity that’s naturally present in your body – grounding is just an extra safeguard.

This is easy to find in desktops, but in laptops the location will vary – it’s typically under the bottom panel, under the keyboard, or on the side. Refer to your owner’s manual for the exact location, as every system looks slightly different.

Remove the existing drive and disconnect any cables and brackets attached to it. Look closely at the drive for screws that might be holding something to it, as most brackets are often small and look like supporting frames.

Once reattached, plug the SSD into your system. Don’t worry if the label faces up or down, as this varies by system. When plugging in the SSD, don’t force the connection – it should go in easily and fit snug. If it feels wobbly, refer to our Helpful Tip below.

For laptop installations, reconnect the battery.

Watch how much faster it boots up!

See how fast your favorite apps open when you click on them! Your SSD is now installed, but you can make it even faster by enabling a special feature.