Installing a Samsung 990 Pro takes about 10 minutes and requires only a Phillips screwdriver

The Samsung 990 Pro is an NVMe solid-state drive that connects directly to an M.2 slot on your motherboard. Installation is straightforward: you locate the M.2 slot, insert the drive at a 30-degree angle, and secure it with a single screw. The entire process takes longer to read about than to perform.

Before you start, power down your PC completely and unplug it from the wall. Touch a metal part of your case to discharge any static electricity that could damage the drive. Have a Phillips screwdriver ready — that is the only tool you need.

Key Takeaways

  • The Samsung 990 Pro installs into an M.2 slot on your motherboard, not into a SATA port or a 2.5-inch bay.
  • You need to insert the drive at a 30-degree angle, then press down and secure it with a single screw.
  • Your motherboard may have multiple M.2 slots, but the fastest one is usually labeled M.2_1 or listed first in your manual.
  • After installation, your PC will recognize the drive automatically — you do not need to install drivers or restart multiple times.
  • If your drive does not appear in Windows, check BIOS to confirm the slot is enabled and the drive is detected.

Locate the M.2 slot on your motherboard

Open your PC case by removing the side panel. Look for a small horizontal slot on the motherboard that is roughly the width of a stick of gum. It will be labeled M.2 or sometimes have a small notch cut into it. Most modern motherboards have at least one M.2 slot; many have two or three.

If your motherboard has multiple M.2 slots, check your motherboard manual to find which one connects directly to the CPU. This slot is usually labeled M.2_1 or M2_0 and will give you the fastest performance. Slots labeled M2_2 or M2_3 may share bandwidth with SATA ports or run at reduced speed.

If you cannot find your manual, search online for your motherboard model number (printed on the board itself) plus "M.2 slot speed" or "manual PDF". The manual will show you which slot supports the full 4.0 speed that the 990 Pro offers.

Remove the standoff screw and any protective sticker

At the end of the M.2 slot, you will see a small brass standoff — a tiny post that holds the drive in place. A single screw sits in this standoff. Remove that screw and set it aside in a safe place; you will use it again in a moment.

Some Samsung 990 Pro drives come with a thermal pad or sticker on the back. If your drive has one, leave it in place — it helps dissipate heat. If there is a protective plastic film over the thermal pad, peel it off before installation.

Insert the drive at a 30-degree angle

Hold the Samsung 990 Pro with the gold connector pins facing down and the label facing up. Position the drive above the M.2 slot at roughly a 30-degree angle — think of it as tilted upward, not flat. Align the notch in the drive with the key in the slot.

Gently push the drive into the slot. You should feel it slide in smoothly without resistance. Do not force it. Once the drive is fully inserted, the end of the drive will be raised up off the motherboard at that 30-degree angle.

Now press the end of the drive down flat against the motherboard. You will hear or feel a small click as it seats. The drive should now lie flat and parallel to the motherboard.

Secure the drive with the screw

Take the screw you removed earlier and insert it into the standoff at the end of the drive. Tighten it firmly but do not overtighten — you want it snug, not stripped. A quarter-turn past hand-tight is usually correct. If you strip the screw hole, the drive will still work, but it may shift slightly during use.

Double-check that the drive is seated flat and the screw is holding it in place. The drive should not rock or move when you gently press on it.

Close your case and power on your PC

Replace the side panel of your case and secure it with its original screws. Plug your PC back into power and turn it on. Windows will detect the new drive automatically — you do not need to restart multiple times or install drivers.

The drive will appear in File Explorer under "This PC" or in Disk Management as a new drive. If it does not appear, restart your PC once. If it still does not show up after a restart, check your BIOS to confirm the M.2 slot is enabled and the drive is detected there.

Verify the drive appears in Windows

Open File Explorer and look for a new drive letter under "This PC". The Samsung 990 Pro should appear as a storage device with its full capacity listed. If the drive shows up but is not formatted, right-click it in Disk Management and select "New Simple Volume" to format it for use.

You can also check the drive's health and temperature using Samsung's Magician software, which you can download from Samsung's website. This tool shows you the drive's current temperature, remaining lifespan, and firmware version. It is optional but useful for monitoring the drive over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to enable the M.2 slot in BIOS?

Most modern motherboards enable M.2 slots by default, so you should not need to change anything. However, if your drive does not appear after installation, restart your PC and enter BIOS (usually by pressing Delete or F2 during startup). Look for an M.2 or NVMe setting and confirm it is set to Enabled. If you cannot find it, check your motherboard manual.

Can I install the 990 Pro while my PC is powered on?

No. Always power down completely and unplug your PC before opening the case or touching internal components. Even with the power off, touch a metal part of the case to discharge static electricity before handling the drive.

What if my motherboard does not have an M.2 slot?

Older motherboards may only have SATA ports and no M.2 slot. The Samsung 990 Pro requires an M.2 slot and will not work with SATA. If your motherboard has no M.2 slot, you would need a different type of drive or a motherboard upgrade.

Do I need to install Windows on the new drive?

No, not unless you want to. The 990 Pro will work as a secondary storage drive immediately after installation. If you want to move your Windows installation to the new drive, you can use cloning software or perform a fresh Windows installation, but that is optional.

Is thermal paste or a heatsink required?

The Samsung 990 Pro comes with a thermal pad on the back, which is sufficient for most users. Some high-end motherboards include a heatsink for the M.2 slot; if yours does, you can install it over the drive for additional cooling. Check your motherboard manual to see if a heatsink is included and how to attach it.