Best practices for SSD removal from compatible Surface devices

  • Artikel
  • Van toepassing op:
    Windows 10, Windows 11

Note

This article is intended for use by qualified IT technicians in an enterprise organization. It describes the recommended best practices for use by skilled IT technicians in the removal and replacement of SSDs in the following compatible Surface devices:

  • Surface Laptop Studio (all generations)
  • Surface Pro 10
  • Surface Pro 9
  • Surface Pro 9 with 5G
  • Surface Pro 8
  • Surface Pro 7+
  • Surface Pro X
  • Surface Laptop Go (all generations)
  • Surface Laptop 6
  • Surface Laptop 5
  • Surface Laptop 4
  • Surface Laptop 3
  • Surface Studio 2+

Caution

Opening devices and replacing components can present electric shock, device damage, fire, personal injury risks, and other hazards. Always use caution when you undertake such activities. Follow the safety precautions and procedures identified in the Surface Service Guide We recommend that you get professional assistance if you cannot follow the documented safety precautions and procedures.

Prepare for SSD removal

Install the latest updates

Before you begin, make sure that your version of Windows has the latest updates installed:

  1. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security, and select Check for updates.
  2. Install all available updates.
  3. Verify any passwords that are necessary to access the device.

Manage BitLocker

Note

This section includes recommendations for organizations that have enabled BitLocker encryption for hard disks. For more information, see BitLocker Recovery Guide.

If BitLocker encryption is disabled during SSD removal and replacement

If the device can be unencrypted before SSD removal and replacement, follow these steps to turn off BitLocker:

  1. In Settings, type BitLocker and then select Manage BitLocker.
  2. Select Turn Off BitLocker.
  3. Power down the device.

If BitLocker encryption is enabled during SSD removal and replacement

If the device is encrypted before SSD removal and replacement, follow these steps to generate a BitLocker recovery key and save it to USB storage:

  1. In Settings, type BitLocker.
  2. Select Manage BitLocker >Generate BitLocker Recovery Key.
  3. Insert a USB drive.
  4. Save the recovery key to USB storage.
  5. Remove the USB drive.
  6. Power down the device.

Remove and replace SSD

  1. Remove the SSD by using the instructions for your device included in the applicable Surface Service Guide.
  2. Put the original SSD into a new device and connect the new device to a wired internet connection.
  3. Power on the new device. The device may go through a firmware update during startup.

After SSD removal and replacement

Manage unencrypted SSDs

If the SSD is unencrypted during the transfer, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Sign-In Options > Password (represented by the key icon on the left side).
  2. Enter the password and sign in pending completion of two-factor authentication (if applicable).
  3. After you are fully signed in, go to Start > Account > Sign out.
  4. Sign back in by using the password and set up Windows Hello and a PIN when you are prompted.
    • If the device was BitLocker-disabled to facilitate SSD removal and replacement, and you want to enable BitLocker after the replacement, go to BitLocker > Manage BitLocker > Resume BitLocker.
  5. Run the Microsoft Surface Diagnostic Toolkit for Business (SDT) to verify full device functionality.
  6. Check for Windows activation by navigating to Settings > Activation. If you see any error messages, select Troubleshoot.
  7. Check the Office account by opening the Office App, navigate to File > Account and then check for any error messages.

Managing encrypted SSDs

Note

You will have to have a second device to read the BitLocker Recovery key that was saved on the USB drive.

If the SSD is encrypted during the transfer, follow these steps:

  1. Insert the USB drive that contains the BitLocker recovery key into the second device.
  2. Open the .txt file that contains the BitLocker recovery key.
  3. Manually enter the BitLocker recovery key on the new device that contains the original SSD.
  4. After you have successfully entered the BitLocker recovery key, go to Sign-In Options > Password (represented by the key icon on the left side).
  5. Enter the password and sign in, pending completion of two-factor authentication (if applicable).
  6. After you are fully signed in, go to Start > Account > Sign out.
  7. Sign back in by using the password, and then set up Windows Hello and add a PIN.
  8. If the device was BitLocker-disabled to facilitate SSD removal and replacement, and if you want to enable BitLocker after the replacement, go to Settings > BitLocker > Manage BitLocker > Resume BitLocker.
  9. Run SDT to verify full device functionality.
  10. To check Windows activation, select Settings > Activation. If you see any error messages, select Troubleshoot.
  11. To check the status of the Office account, open the Office App, then go to File > Account to check for any error messages.

Learn more

Still need help? Go to Microsoft Community.