In most HP laptops, the hard drive sits under the bottom cover—either a 2.5-inch bay or an M.2 slot near the battery.
Short answer first, then depth. HP notebooks place storage on the underside of the chassis. You’ll reach it by removing the bottom panel. Inside, you’ll see either a 2.5-inch drive cradle with a SATA cable, or a slim M.2 stick on the system board under a small shield. The exact spot varies by model, so the steps below show how to identify your layout and get to the right place without guesswork.
What You’ll Check Before Opening The Laptop
Two quick checks tell you where to look and what you’ll see once you get inside.
1) Identify Your Exact Model
Flip the laptop and read the product label near the vents or hinge. You’ll find a series name and a full product number. That ID maps to a specific service guide with a diagram of the storage bay and screws. If the label is worn, press Windows+R, type msinfo32, and read “System Model.”
2) Check The Type Of Drive Installed
Open Device Manager > Disk drives. A 2.5-inch SATA drive usually shows a model name that ends with “SATA” and a 7–9 mm height in the spec sheet. An M.2 SSD appears as NVMe or M.2. Knowing this saves time once you lift the cover.
How HP Typically Mounts Storage
HP uses two common setups across Pavilion, Envy, Victus/Omen, and ProBook/EliteBook lines. The look changes, but the placement repeats.
2.5-Inch Bay (SATA)
- Where it sits: A rectangular metal bracket near one edge of the motherboard, often next to the battery.
- How it connects: A short SATA ribbon or a direct SATA header on the board.
- How you spot it: Drive label facing the bottom cover, four bracket screws, and a thin pull tab or caddy.
M.2 Slot (NVMe Or SATA M.2)
- Where it sits: A slim socket on the motherboard, usually between the battery and fan, sometimes under a foil shield or black bracket.
- How it connects: One end slides into the M.2 socket; a single screw secures the other end.
- How you spot it: Gum-stick-sized module (usually 2280), label up, one tiny screw at the tip.
Opening The Bottom Cover Safely
Most HP laptops use Philips screws across the bottom case. Some screws hide under rubber feet or small plastic caps. After removing them, the panel lifts with light prying along the seam.
Tools You’ll Need
- Small Philips screwdriver (PH0/PH1)
- Plastic pry tool or old credit card
- ESD strap or a habit of touching metal to ground yourself
- Small tray to sort screws by length
General Steps
- Shut down the laptop. Unplug the charger. Hold the power button for 10 seconds to discharge.
- Remove all screws on the underside. Check under the rubber feet if the panel still feels locked.
- Starting at a hinge corner, slide a plastic tool along the seam to release clips.
- Lift the bottom cover. Keep the keyboard side flat so nothing falls out of place.
Once open, the storage bay is easy to spot: it’s either the metal 2.5-inch cradle with a ribbon cable or the short M.2 stick on the board. HP’s own guides and support videos match these views and are handy for confirmation. See the official HP Tech Takes storage replacement guide and the brand’s step-by-step Pavilion and Envy videos.
Find The Storage Bay On An HP Notebook (Models And Layouts)
This section maps common HP series to their usual storage placement and how to reach it. Use it like a field guide while your laptop is face down on the desk.
Pavilion Series
Pavilion 14/15 models ship in many trims. Units with a 2.5-inch drive place the caddy near the front edge, connected by a short ribbon. Units with M.2 storage place the stick between the battery and cooling fan. Access means taking off the entire bottom cover. HP’s support videos for Pavilion 14/15 show the exact screws and sequence and confirm the location once the cover is off. One video example: Pavilion 15 drive assembly.
Envy Series
Many Envy configurations favor M.2. The slot sits mid-board and may be under a small shield or bracket. Some trims still include a 2.5-inch bay near the speaker assembly. The Envy service guide (PDF) shows both the bay and the M.2 connector with part callouts and screw sizes.
Victus/Omen (Gaming)
Gaming models often provide one or two M.2 slots near the center line for better cooling. If a 2.5-inch bay exists, it sits toward the edge to leave airflow paths open. The panel is full-bottom style, and the screws are visible; no small service door.
ProBook/EliteBook (Business)
Business units vary. Many use tool-only access with a single bottom cover. Some older designs include a quick-access door. Storage is typically M.2 near the board center. If there’s a 2.5-inch bay, it’s near the edge, bracketed, and tied down with four screws.
How To Tell Which Storage You Can Add Or Swap
After opening, check the presence of a bay or slot and any included brackets or cables.
If You See A 2.5-Inch Bay
- Empty bracket with ribbon present: add a 7 mm 2.5-inch SATA drive.
- No ribbon: the bay may be “provisioned” in the chassis but needs the SATA cable kit.
- M.2 slot also present: some models support both. Use either or both as the board allows.
If You See An M.2 Slot
- Look for the length standoff: 2280 is common; some boards also accept 2242/2260.
- Check the screw boss. If the tiny screw is missing, you’ll need an M2x3 or similar.
- Labels “NVMe” or “PCIe” near the socket signal higher speeds than SATA M.2.
Step-By-Step: Accessing And Removing The Drive
For A 2.5-Inch SATA Drive
- Detach the battery cable if reachable. If it’s under the drive, leave it and handle gently.
- Remove the four bracket screws. Lift the drive and slide the SATA ribbon from the connector.
- If you’re upgrading, move the side rails or caddy pieces to the new drive.
- Reconnect the ribbon. Seat the drive. Tighten the bracket screws.
For An M.2 SSD
- Pull off any small shield carefully. Save the tape or screws.
- Remove the single retention screw at the end of the module.
- The SSD pops up slightly. Slide it out along the socket line.
- Insert the new module at the same angle, push it flat, and reinstall the screw.
HP’s own walk-throughs mirror these exact motions. See the Envy 17 storage video for a close-up of the M.2 connector and screw placement, and the official HP replacement article for prep and reinstall steps.
Prep Tips Before You Swap Drives
- Back up or clone first. If you’re moving to a new SSD, clone the old drive to the new one with a USB-to-SATA/NVMe adapter. This cuts downtime and avoids a full reinstall.
- Mind screw lengths. HP uses mixed lengths on the bottom cover and the drive bay. Sort screws by zone.
- Ground yourself. Touch bare metal or wear an ESD strap to avoid static discharge.
- Battery first where possible. If the battery connector is reachable, disconnect it before touching storage cables.
Common Questions Answered
“Is There A Quick Door I Can Open?”
Most recent consumer models use a one-piece bottom. A few older business units have a small service door. If your model looks doorless, you’ll remove the whole panel—normal for HP’s current design language.
“Can My Unit Fit Both A 2.5-Inch Drive And M.2?”
Some boards do. You’ll see the bay and the slot side by side. Others only wire one type. The service guide for your exact model confirms the options and part kits. HP publishes those guides with diagrams and part numbers, such as the Envy maintenance PDF.
“Where Do I Find A Model-Specific Diagram?”
Search your model number plus “maintenance and service guide.” HP hosts PDFs that include exploded views and the storage section. They show whether you’ll find a caddy, a ribbon, or just an M.2 socket. A general hardware replacement PDF from HP also illustrates drive bracket styles and safe handling tips: replacement instructions (PDF).
Troubleshooting After You Reinstall The Cover
Drive Not Detected
- For 2.5-inch drives: re-seat the SATA ribbon at both ends. The latch on some connectors flips up; make sure it’s down and locked.
- For M.2: check that the module is fully inserted and the single screw is tight, not over-tight.
- Open BIOS/UEFI (press Esc or F10 at power-on) and check the Storage section. If the slot reads “Empty,” re-seat again.
Windows Boots, But Storage Shows The Wrong Size
- Open Disk Management. Extend the main partition into the unallocated space.
- If the drive is new and blank: initialize GPT, create a primary partition, and format NTFS.
Temps Or Fan Noise Rise
- Make sure the bottom panel clips are fully seated around the vents.
- If you added a 2.5-inch drive, confirm the bracket screws are in; a loose bay can rattle and block airflow.
Model-By-Model Cheat Sheet
The table below compresses common HP lines, the usual storage placement, and the access notes. Use this as a quick cross-check once you’ve lifted the bottom panel.
| HP Line | Typical Storage Spot | Access Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pavilion 14/15 | 2.5-inch bay by the front edge or M.2 near battery | Full bottom cover; some screws under feet; HP video matches layout |
| Envy 13/15/17 | M.2 mid-board; some trims also include 2.5-inch bay | Full bottom cover; small shield over M.2 in some units; service PDF shows parts |
| Victus/Omen | One or two M.2 slots along center line | Full bottom cover; keep airflow path clear; bay present on select trims |
| ProBook/EliteBook | M.2 near center; occasional 2.5-inch bay at edge | Tool-only access; older units may have a small door |
When To Stop And Look Up The Manual
If you reach the inside and don’t see a bay, don’t force parts. Some trims ship M.2-only. Others need a short “hardware kit” (bracket and ribbon) if you plan to add a 2.5-inch drive. The model’s maintenance guide lists those part numbers. HP hosts these PDFs on its support site, and they show the drive’s exact location with arrows, screw sizes, and the connector style.
Quick Recap
The storage lives on the underside. Remove the bottom cover and you’ll see a 2.5-inch caddy by an edge or an M.2 socket on the board. Pavilion, Envy, Victus/Omen, and business lines follow that same pattern with small twists. If you want a picture that matches your unit, pull the official PDF for your model or watch HP’s short repair clips. With that, you’ll know exactly where the drive sits and how to reach it in minutes.