The guide included a warning about possible electrical shock, but quite a lot of it just described the nuances associated with BitLocker encryption.Ĭomplete replacement instructions can be downloaded at the Microsoft Download Center here.

However, there's no requirement for the work to be done by a Microsoft Authorized Service Provider. Microsoft's 'Best Practices' guide indicated that only 'qualified IT technicians in an enterprise organization' should attempt to replace the SSDs, although the guide doesn't describe those qualifications. 'Installing a non-Microsoft or a Microsoft SSD of different volume than the one provided originally may lead to reduced performance and unsupported configurations,' the announcement warned. Also, Microsoft is discouraging swapping out an original SSD for one that has a larger capacity. Organizations using the replacement kits also need to use 'the original parts from the factory' or they can void the warranty, according to the announcement. This process is needed because BitLocker protects a drive when 'adding or removing hardware' or when 'moving the BitLocker-protected drive into a new computer,' Microsoft explained in its ' BitLocker Recovery Guide' document. If BitLocker drive encryption was used on the old drive and it can't be decrypted, then a BitLocker recovery password needs to be created before removing it. IT pros need to take care about BitLocker encryption when replacing the SSDs, Microsoft indicated. However, that simple task comes with lots of caveats. These replaceable SSD kits, which offer drives at '128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB' sizes, permit 'skilled IT technicians' to replace the SSD storage in Surface Pro 7+ PCs by unscrewing part of the PC's casing. 'Commercial Spares are not available for purchase in the regular consumer channels and are intended for use by enterprise customers only,' Microsoft's announcement indicated. They aren't sold to consumer users of the Surface Pro 7+ machines. The new replacement SSD kits are just available to organizations via reseller partners. Microsoft on Tuesday announced that sales of solid-state drive (SSD) 'commercial spares' replacement kits for Surface Pro 7+ PCs is now open, but only in the U.S.

Surface pro 7 ssd