Fix Your Stuff Community Store

Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace or upgrade the SSD in your Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8‑inch).

Before starting this repair, read through Microsoft's guide on best practices for SSD removal.

What you need

  1. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Prepare your laptop for disassembly: step 1, image 1 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Prepare your laptop for disassembly: step 1, image 2 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Prepare your laptop for disassembly: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • Before starting this repair, allow your laptop's battery to drain below 25%. A charged battery may catch fire if damaged.

    • Unplug all cables and fully shut down your laptop.

    Edit

  2. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Flip your laptop over: step 2, image 1 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Flip your laptop over: step 2, image 2 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Flip your laptop over: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Close your laptop and lay it down so the rubber feet are facing up.

    Edit

  3. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Remove the feet: step 3, image 1 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Remove the feet: step 3, image 2 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Remove the feet: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • Gently slide one arm of your angled tweezers into the recess near the upper right edge of one of the feet.

    • You can also use the point of a spudger. However, you're more likely to damage the foot, if you're reusing it.

    • Use your tweezers to pry up and remove the foot.

    • The feet may eject very quickly—be careful not to lose them.

    • Repeat the process to remove the remaining feet.

    • To install a foot, align the pegs on the bottom with their cutouts in the frame and press the foot into place.

    Edit

  4. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Remove the lower case screws: step 4, image 1 of 2 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Remove the lower case screws: step 4, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    FixMat
    $36.95
    Buy

    • Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

    • While the Surface Laptop 7 uses Torx Plus screws, standard Torx bits work. Make sure to apply constant, downward force to prevent stripping.

    • Use a Torx Plus 5IP screwdriver to remove the four 4.5 mm‑long screws (with washers) securing the lower case.

    Edit

  5. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Detach the lower case: step 5, image 1 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Detach the lower case: step 5, image 2 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Detach the lower case: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Insert the tip of an opening pick under the top edge of the lower case, about an inch (2.5 cm) to the left or right of the Microsoft logo.

    • Don't insert the pick near the outer edges or you'll damage the antenna bar.

    Edit

  7. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Twist the pick to lift the lower case enough that you can grip it with your hand.

    Edit

  8. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Remove the lower case: step 7, image 1 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Remove the lower case: step 7, image 2 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Remove the lower case: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Lift the lower case and remove it.

    Edit

  9. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 8, image 1 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 8, image 2 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver to remove the two 2.3 mm‑long screws securing the battery connector cover.

    Edit

  10. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the battery connector cover.

    Edit

  11. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Insert the flat end of a spudger under the top edge of the battery press connector and pry up to disconnect it.

    • To reconnect a press connector, align it over the socket and gently press down on one side until it clicks into place, then press down on the other side. It may take a few tries to align the connector—don't try to force it into place.

    Edit

  12. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Peel up the SSD tape: step 11, image 1 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Peel up the SSD tape: step 11, image 2 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Peel up the SSD tape: step 11, image 3 of 3

    • Heat an iOpener and lay it on the SSD for one minute to heat the tape on its left edge.

    • Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer to lightly heat the tape.

    Edit

  13. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3

    • Carefully insert the point of a spudger under the SSD tape and lift until you can grip the tape with your fingers.

    • Be careful not to tear the tape, since you'll reuse it during reassembly.

    • Use your fingers to gently peel the tape from the SSD.

    • You don't need to fully remove the tape, it just needs to be off the SSD.

    Edit

  14. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Remove the SSD: step 13, image 1 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Remove the SSD: step 13, image 2 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement, Remove the SSD: step 13, image 3 of 3

    • Use a Torx Plus 5IP screwdriver to remove the 2.9 mm‑long screw securing the SSD.

    • With the screw removed, the SSD may pop up at a slight angle.

    • During reassembly, gently hold the SSD down while installing its screw.

    Edit

  15. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 3 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) SSD Replacement: step 14, image 3 of 3

    • Grip the SSD by its edges near the screw notch and pull it straight out of its socket.

    • During reassembly, make sure the tape is completely out of the way and insert the SSD at a slight downward angle into its socket.

    • The SSD is notched so you can only insert it in the correct orientation.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Once your laptop is reassembled, follow Microsoft's post SSD replacement guide.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Author

with 1 other contributor

Spencer Day

Member since: 09/14/22

94,632 Reputation

662 Guides authored

Badges: 38

+35 more badges

Team

iFixit Member of iFixit

Staff

118 Members

19,418 Guides authored

0 Comments

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 13

Past 7 Days: 107

Past 30 Days: 524

All Time: 3,095