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How to Open a Desktop Computer Case

Safely open your PC's case

By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on May 1, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide

What to Know

First, turn off computer and unplug power cable. Remove all external cables and attachments.Next, remove outermost screws from case. Do not remove screws that secure power supply to case.Finally, remove the case side panel. This article explains how to open a desktop computer case, which houses all parts of a computer. Every computer is a little different, but these instructions will point you in the right direction no matter what case you may have. 11 Best Ways to Keep Your Computer Cool 01 of 05

Turn the Computer Off

Edward Shaw/E+/Getty Images Before opening the case, you must turn the computer off. Shut down your operating system as you normally do. On the back of your computer, locate the power switch and turn it off, as shown above. Some computers don't have a power switch on the back. If you don't find one, skip to the next step. If the computer isn't turning off from inside the OS, you can pull the plug from the wall (see step 2 below), but that isn't the safest method. Here's what to do if Windows 11 won't shut down. 02 of 05

Unplug the Power Cable

Unplug the Power Cable. Tim Fisher Unplug the power cable that's currently plugged in to the power supply on the back of your computer. This is an important step! It may seem overly cautious to remove the power cable in addition to powering off the computer normally, but some parts of a computer remain powered on even when the computer seems to be off. Plus, if you end up needing to move the computer to a different location while working on it, like if you plan to clean the PC outside, it'll need to be detached from the power source anyway. 03 of 05

Remove All External Cables and Attachments

Remove All External Cables and Attachments. Tim Fisher Remove all cables and other devices attached to your computer. This will make it much easier to work and to move it around as needed. Most of what's plugged in can be gently pulled out as you'd expect, like HDMI cables, speakers, and USB devices, but other things have a different release mechanism. An Ethernet cable (pictured above) has a small, plastic clip that must be pressed inward as you pull, else it could break off in the process. Older video cables like VGA and DVI have their own screws, though they might not be screwed in, anyway, depending on how it was attached in the first place.
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Remove the Side Panel Retaining Screws

Remove the Side Panel Retaining Screws. Tim Fisher Remove the outermost screws from the case—the ones that are holding the side panels to the rest of the case. You'll likely need a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove these screws, but some cases have screws you can turn by hand. Set them aside, or unscrew them as far as you can if this case doesn't have fully removable screws. You'll need to use them to secure the side panels to the case again when you're through working inside your computer. Take care not to remove the screws that are securing the power supply to the case. These screws are more inset than the case retaining screws and may cause the power supply to fall into the computer, possibly causing damage. 05 of 05

Remove the Case Side Panel

Remove the Case Side Panel. Tim Fisher The case side panel can now be removed. Sometimes the panel can simply be lifted off, while other times it may be attached to the case in a slide-lock manner. No matter the mechanism, you should be able to easily jar it loose. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Unscrew and Reseat Expansion Cards How to Use a Power Supply Tester to Test a PSU How to Install a Graphics Card How to Install a Desktop Power Supply How to Reseat Internal Data and Power Cables What is a PSU? What is an ATX Power Supply? How to Manually Test a Power Supply With a Multimeter How to Reseat a Desktop Memory Module How to Check for Disconnected Computer Power Cables How to Replace a Motherboard How to Fix Vizio TV Black Screen of Death How to Fix a Computer That Shows No Sign of Power How to Fix a Computer That Turns On and Then Off How to Fix It When Your PS4 Won't Turn On How to Fix a Computer That Turns on but Displays Nothing What Are Expansion Slots? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies