You can copy your data to an external hard drive, or you can use a cloud storage service like, Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, or OneDrive.
Warning: Static discharge can permanently damage the inside of your computer. Be sure to ground yourself by touching something metal or by wearing anti-static wrist straps before touching anything on the inside of your computer. Check your warranty before disassembling your computer. Opening your computer may void the warranty. Especially if you are using a laptop or an all-in-one.
If you have a desktop PC, you will need to remove the side panel from the tower. If you have a laptop, you will need to remove the bottom panel, and possibly the keyboard. If you have an iMac or an all-in-one PC, you may need to remove the back panel or the screen.
The newest hard drives are M. 2 Solid State drives. These are small, chip-like hard drives that are inserted directly into the motherboard. One end will be inserted into the slot on the motherboard and the other end will be screwed down. On a desktop PC, it is most likely located in one of the drive slots on the front of the computer tower. If you are using a laptop, it is most likely held inside a mounting bracket and mounted inside the computer under the keyboard or under the bottom panel.
You will need a screwdriver to open the cage or mounting bracket that holds the drive. Some newer hard drive cases are “toolless,” meaning that you just have to push a simple lever or switch to be able to remove the hard drive.
If you see a thin, ribbon-like cable running from your motherboard (or hard disk controller if present) to your hard drive, you have an IDE connector. Carefully remove the connector from the back of the hard drive. The cable may be connected to the hard drive with glue, but you should be able to work it out of place without much hassle. Carefully remove as much glue as you can and work the plug back and forth gently to break the glue. The power connector will be a plastic, rectangular connector with a series of electrical wires running from the hard drive to the motherboard. This connector may be more snugly attached than the data cable. Make sure you’re disengaging the latches on the connector and pull firmly. Take care not to bend any of the thin metal pins inside the plugs.
Pull carefully - if you encounter any resistance, stop! Nothing in a computer case should require any substantial amount of force - if you’re pulling or pushing hard, you’re probably doing it wrong. On some computers, the hard drive may be glued or soldered in place. If this is the case, it’s going be a lot harder to remove. You may need to take it to a professional.
Anti-static bags can be cheaply purchased at most office supplies or computer stores. If you’re throwing out or recycling your hard drive, you can skip this step.
