The fastest ways to add storage without replacing your hard drive

You can add storage to your PC in three main ways: plug in an external drive, install an internal drive, or use cloud storage. External drives are the quickest — you plug them in and start using them when ready. Internal drives require opening your PC but give you faster performance and permanent extra space. Cloud storage works differently: it does not add physical space to your machine, but it moves your files to the internet so your PC's drive has room for other things.

Which route makes sense depends on how much space you need, how fast you want the new storage to work, and whether you are comfortable opening your PC. Most people start with an external drive because there is no installation involved.

Key Takeaways

  • External solid-state drives (SSDs) are the easiest addition — you plug them in and use them when ready, with no tools or technical knowledge required.
  • Internal drives installed inside your PC are faster and cheaper per gigabyte, but require opening the case and knowing which type of drive your motherboard accepts.
  • Cloud storage services like OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox move files off your PC's drive, freeing up space without adding hardware.
  • Before buying any drive, check your PC's available ports (USB-A, USB-C, or M.2 slot) and whether your power supply has room for an internal drive.
  • A 1TB external SSD costs $60 to $100 and works with any PC; an internal 1TB SSD costs $40 to $70 but requires installation.

External solid-state drives: no installation needed

An external SSD is a storage device the size of a phone that connects to your PC through a USB port. You plug it in, your PC recognizes it as a new drive, and you can when ready copy files to it or run programs from it. No tools, no opening the case, no technical knowledge required.

External SSDs are slower than internal drives because they talk to your PC through a USB cable rather than a direct connection to the motherboard. For storing photos, videos, documents, and backups, this slowdown does not matter. If you want to run games or video editing software from the external drive, the speed difference becomes noticeable.

Look for drives that use USB 3.1 or USB 3.2 (sometimes labeled "Gen 2" or "Gen 2x2") — these are fast enough for most work. Avoid older USB 2.0 drives, which are much slower. A 1TB external SSD from brands like Samsung, WD, or Crucial costs between $60 and $100. Smaller 500GB models run $40 to $60.

Internal drives: faster and cheaper per gigabyte

An internal drive sits inside your PC case and connects directly to the motherboard. Because it does not go through a USB cable, it is significantly faster than an external drive. Internal drives also cost less per gigabyte — a 1TB internal SSD runs $40 to $70, compared to $60 to $100 for external.

The catch is installation. You need to open your PC case, find an empty slot on the motherboard, and insert the drive. For most modern PCs, this means finding an M.2 slot (a thin horizontal slot about the size of a stick of gum) and sliding the drive in at a 30-degree angle until it clicks flat. The whole process takes five to ten minutes and requires no tools on most machines.

Before you buy, check what your PC accepts. Newer PCs almost always have M.2 slots. Older machines might have a 2.5-inch SATA slot instead, which looks like a small rectangular tray. You can find this by opening your case and looking at the motherboard, or by checking your PC's manual or manufacturer website. If you are unsure, take a photo of the inside of your case and ask in a PC building forum — people there can tell you what you have.

Popular internal SSD brands include Samsung 870 EVO (SATA), Samsung 980 (M.2), WD Blue, and Crucial P3. All are reliable and widely available.

Cloud storage: move files off your PC without buying hardware

Cloud storage services like OneDrive (included free with Windows), Google Drive, and Dropbox let you store files on the internet instead of on your PC's drive. You install the service, point it at a folder on your PC, and it automatically copies those files to the internet. Once they are synced, you can delete them from your PC to free up space, but you can still access them through the service whenever you need them.

This approach does not add physical storage to your PC — it removes files from it. If your drive is full because you have thousands of photos or old project files, moving them to cloud storage can free up 50GB or more without buying anything.

OneDrive comes built into Windows and gives you 5GB free. Google Drive and Dropbox also offer 15GB and 2GB free respectively. If you need more, OneDrive costs $2 per month for 100GB or $10 per month for 1TB. Google One (Google's paid plan) costs $2 per month for 100GB. Dropbox Plus costs $12 per month for 2TB.

Checking your PC's ports and power before you buy

For an external drive, check what USB ports your PC has. Most modern PCs have USB-C ports, USB-A ports (the rectangular ones), or both. External SSDs come with the cable you need, so as long as your PC has at least one USB port, you can use an external drive.

For an internal drive, you need to know whether your motherboard has an empty M.2 slot or SATA slot. Open your case and look at the motherboard — you will see thin horizontal slots. M.2 slots are small and narrow; SATA slots look like small rectangular trays. If you see empty slots, you have room. If every slot is full, you would need to replace an existing drive rather than add one.

You also need to check that your power supply has room. Most modern internal SSDs use very little power, but if your power supply is already at its limit (you can find the wattage on the side of the power supply unit), adding a second drive might push it over. For M.2 SSDs, this is rarely a problem. For larger 3.5-inch hard drives, check your power supply's wattage first.

Hard drives versus solid-state drives: speed and reliability

A hard drive (HDD) is older technology — it has a spinning disk inside and a moving arm that reads data. A solid-state drive (SSD) has no moving parts; it stores data in memory chips. SSDs are faster, more durable, and quieter. Hard drives are cheaper per gigabyte if you need very large amounts of storage (4TB or more).

For most people, an SSD is the better choice. A 1TB SSD is fast enough for everyday work and costs only $40 to $70. If you need 4TB or more and speed is not a priority, a hard drive can save money — a 4TB hard drive costs around $60 to $80, whereas a 4TB SSD costs $200 to $300.

Hard drives are also more fragile. They can fail if dropped or bumped while running. SSDs have no moving parts, so they are safer to move around. If you are buying an external drive to carry between locations, choose an SSD.

Step-by-step: installing an internal M.2 SSD

If you decide to install an internal drive, here is the process. First, shut down your PC completely and unplug it from power. Wait a few seconds, then press the power button once to discharge any remaining electricity. Open the side panel of your case — usually two or three screws on the back.

Locate an empty M.2 slot on the motherboard. It will be a thin horizontal slot, usually near the center or edge of the board. Remove the small screw at the end of the slot if there is one. Take your SSD and hold it at a 30-degree angle, then slide it into the slot. Push down gently until it lies flat, then tighten the screw to hold it in place.

Close the case, plug in the power cable, and turn on your PC. Windows will recognize the new drive automatically. Open File Explorer, and you should see the new drive listed on the left side. You can now copy files to it or format it if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an external drive and an internal drive at the same time?

Yes. Many people use both — an internal SSD for their operating system and main programs, and an external SSD for backups or extra storage. They work independently and do not interfere with each other.

Will adding a second drive slow down my PC?

No. An additional internal drive will not slow your PC. An external drive connected through USB will not slow your PC either, though transferring large files to it will take longer than transferring to an internal drive.

What is the difference between USB-A and USB-C?

USB-A is the rectangular port you have probably used for years. USB-C is smaller and oval-shaped, found on newer PCs and phones. External drives come with the cable you need, so the port type does not matter — just make sure your PC has at least one of them.

Do I need to format a new drive before using it?

External drives usually come pre-formatted and ready to use. Internal drives may need formatting the first time you install them. Windows will prompt you to do this when you first see the drive in File Explorer — right-click it and select "Format". This erases any data on it and prepares it for use.

Is it safe to open my PC case?

Yes, as long as you unplug it first and avoid touching the power supply or capacitors (large cylindrical components). The motherboard itself is safe to touch. If you are nervous, watch a video for your specific PC model first — most manufacturers post installation guides on YouTube.