How To Open A Desktop Hard Drive
gamer_Kat and one other contributor
Last updated on Jan 9, 2024
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An awesome member of our community made this guide. It was not created by iFixit staff.
Introduction
Go to step 1 ↓Have you ever wanted to open up an old hard drive? Whether it's to permanently delete your data or to better understand how a disk drive works, I'm going to be showing you how to do it yourself. Note: Doing this is not reversible and can damage your hard drive. I am doing this on a junk hard drive, take caution when you do it yourself.
What you need
Tools
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Use a size 8 Torx screwdriver to remove the front screws. The location and amount may vary depending on your drive, but they are very easy to locate.
Ask FixBot
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There may be a screw hidden under the front sticker, so make sure to peel it off and check before you open it up. Use a spudger to peel off any material in the way of the screw
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Slide a spudger around the front cover to remove any adhesive or rubber insulation before opening.
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There you have it! Now you have a fully-opened hard drive. Whether you want to make a pretty cool (and large) paperweight or perma-delete your data, you can now do so.
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This is not a reversible process. I am not responsible for any damage done to you or your hard drive while opening it.
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