On most Dell Inspiron laptops, the storage sits under the bottom cover; remove the base to reach the M.2 slot or 2.5-inch bay.
If you need the location fast, flip the notebook over, remove the bottom screws, and lift the cover. Inside you’ll spot either a slim M.2 stick or a rectangular 2.5-inch tray. Newer thin designs use M.2 solid-state drives. Many budget and older units keep a 2.5-inch bay, and some models provide both.
Hard Drive Location On Dell Inspiron Models: Quick Map
Across the Inspiron family, storage almost always sits behind the base cover. The exact spot and screw sizes vary a bit by chassis. Open the service manual for your model to see clear drawings and part names. Start at Dell’s manuals page and enter your exact product code.
How To Identify Your Exact Inspiron Model
Check the label on the underside for names like “Inspiron 15 3000” plus a short code such as P63F or P106F. You can also press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and read the “System Model.” With that ID, the manual will point to the drive bay and list any brackets or screws you’ll meet.
What You’ll Typically Find Inside
M.2 Solid-State Drive
Many 13- and 14-inch units—and newer 15-inch lines—ship with a gum-stick-shaped M.2 module. It lies flat on the board under one hold-down screw. Some models use 2280 length, others 2230. The slot sits near the memory area in most layouts.
2.5-Inch Bay (HDD Or SATA SSD)
Plenty of 15-inch 3000-series laptops include a classic 2.5-inch bay along the edge of the chassis. The drive sits in a small caddy with a short SATA flex cable to the motherboard. This 2.5-inch bay guide shows the general layout used by many units in that line.
Models With Both Slots
Certain mid-range builds include an M.2 slot for the system drive and a 2.5-inch bay for added storage. In those cases, the M.2 sits near the DIMMs, and the 2.5-inch tray runs along the side frame. The base cover provides access to both.
Quick Steps To Reach The Drive
The flow below mirrors Dell service manuals. Check your PDF for screw types and exact drawings before you start.
- Shut down the laptop and unplug the charger.
- Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to discharge.
- Remove the microSD or SIM tray if present.
- Undo all base screws. Some hide under rubber feet. Track lengths.
- Gently pry around the base with a plastic pick. Lift the cover.
- Touch a metal surface to ground yourself.
- For a 2.5-inch bay: remove bay screws, slide the drive out of the SATA connector, and lift it free.
- For M.2: remove the single M2x3 screw. The module pops up; slide it out.
- Reverse the steps. Snap clips in, check edges, and reinstall screws.
How To Tell Which Type You Have Without Opening
Clues let you guess the layout first. Slim metal shells tend to use M.2. Thicker plastic shells often include a 2.5-inch bay. In Windows, open Device Manager → Disk drives. If the model string includes “NVMe” or “M.2,” you likely have a stick-style module. If you see 5400 RPM or 7200 RPM, that points to a 2.5-inch mechanical disk. The service manual by model name settles it.
Common Spots Inside The Chassis
Near The Memory Slots
M.2 bays often sit beside the SO-DIMMs, held by a small screw and sometimes a thin metal shield. The connector is keyed. Align the notch with the tab, slide in at a slight angle, press flat, and secure.
Along The Right Edge
Many 2.5-inch bays live near the right edge. The drive rides in a tray with four tiny screws. A ribbon connects the tray to the board. Slide the assembly out, then free the drive from the caddy.
Prep Tips Before You Open The Case
- Back up data.
- Have a small Phillips #0/#00 driver and a plastic spudger.
- Lay out a screw map on paper to match lengths during reassembly.
- Use short, straight pressure when prying clips to avoid cracks.
Step-By-Step: Replace A 2.5-Inch Drive
- Remove the base cover.
- Take out the bay screws and lift the tray.
- Peel the SATA cable gently from the board side if needed.
- Unscrew the side rails from the old drive and mount them on the new one.
- Reconnect the cable, slide the assembly into place, and secure the screws.
- Reattach the bottom cover and test boot.
Step-By-Step: Replace An M.2 Module
- Remove the base cover.
- Take out the hold-down screw.
- Slide the module out at a slight angle.
- Move the standoff to match the new length if needed.
- Insert the new module, press flat, and reinstall the screw.
- Reattach the cover and test boot.
OS And Cloning Options
Swapping storage means you’ll want files and Windows ready. You can clone the old drive to the new one with a USB-to-SATA or USB-to-NVMe adapter. Or you can clean-install Windows from a bootable USB. Dell’s short video shows the remove-and-replace flow used across many Inspiron shells (notebook drive swap video).
Troubleshooting After Reassembly
The Laptop Doesn’t See The New Drive
- Enter BIOS (F2 at power-on) and check if the drive appears.
- For NVMe, reseat the module. Confirm the screw sits flat.
- For SATA, reseat the ribbon and the bay. Look for bent pins on adapters.
Windows Won’t Boot
- Boot from a recovery USB. Run Startup Repair.
- If you cloned, boot the old drive externally once, then retry the internal drive.
- For fresh installs, delete partitions during Setup and let Windows create new ones.
Cover Won’t Snap Back
- Check screw lengths. A long screw in a short hole can block clips.
- Start the screws by hand, then finish with light torque.
- Run a finger around the rim and press where gaps remain.
Safety Notes That Matter
- Work on a wooden or tiled surface, not on fabric.
- Unplug the battery cable first if the manual lists that step.
- Never pry near ribbon-cable sockets; pull on the tabs, not the cable.
Model Cheat Sheet: Where You’ll Find The Storage
The entries below reflect common placements across popular lines. The manual for your exact model wins if there’s a mismatch.
| Inspiron Line | Likely Drive Type | Access Path |
|---|---|---|
| 13/14-Inch Ultralight (e.g., 5400/7400) | M.2 NVMe or M.2 SATA | Remove base cover; slot near memory area |
| 15 3000 Series (e.g., 3558/3567) | 2.5-inch HDD or SATA SSD | Remove base cover; bay at right edge |
| 15 5000 Series (e.g., 5505/5509) | M.2 NVMe; some configs add 2.5-inch bay | Remove base cover; M.2 by DIMMs; bay along side frame |
| 17-Inch Models | Often both M.2 and 2.5-inch | Remove base cover; roomier layout with separate trays |
Tips To Make The Swap Smooth
- Take a quick photo after lifting the cover. It helps during reassembly.
- Label screws by position. A sticky note grid works well.
When A Drive Bay Is Absent
Some thin shells drop the 2.5-inch tray to save space. In that case, use the M.2 slot and pick the right length. If you need more storage, an external USB SSD is the easy route. Backup and media tasks still run well over USB 3.
Where To Get The Right Screws And Brackets
Many Inspiron units ship with only the parts needed for the factory drive. If you want to add a second drive, you may need a bay bracket, side rails, or the M2x3 screw. The parts list in your manual will show the exact kit number. Matching those parts keeps alignment clean and avoids strain on cables.
Why Manuals Beat Guesswork
Drawings in the official PDFs reveal hidden clips, screw maps, and cable paths. They also flag any model-specific steps, like lifting a battery pull-tab or removing a shield before touching the M.2 standoff. Keep the PDF open on a phone beside you while you work.
BIOS Settings To Check After A Swap
- Storage mode: Many units run in RAID or AHCI. Leave it as set from the factory unless the manual says otherwise.
- Boot order: Put the new drive or “Windows Boot Manager” at the top.
- Secure Boot: Keep it on for a normal Windows install. Turn it off only if a tool asks for that change, then turn it back on.
- UEFI vs Legacy: Inspiron lines are tuned for UEFI. Use UEFI for clean installs and cloning tools that can handle GPT.
Care Notes For Thermal Pads On M.2
Many boards include a thin pad or shield over the M.2 stick. If yours has one, re-use it in the same spot. Don’t stack extra pads unless the manual shows a spacer. A pad that’s too thick can bend the module and stress the screw boss. If a pad tore during removal, replace it with the same thickness so contact stays even.
Reference Links For Your Model
Open the manuals hub to grab the PDF for your exact device (Dell manuals hub). For an example of a 2.5-inch bay layout in a 15-inch chassis, see this Inspiron page (Inspiron 15 3000 bay removal).