(Image credit: Future) 4. M.2 SSD installation Alternatively, if you are adding an M.2 drive, then you need to locate the M.2 socket, which may be hidden under a heatsink on your motherboard.

Step 2: If your laptop has a hard drive, or older 2.5-inch SATA SSD, you should see it locked in place with a few screws and a pair of cables. Remove all of those before gently pulling the drive free.