To determine whether your SSD drive is an M.2 or 2.5 SATA drive without opening the laptop, you can use the following methods:

1. Check the Device Manager: You can use the Device Manager in your operating system to identify the type of SSD installed. Here's how:

   • Open the Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting "Device Manager" from the menu.
   • Expand the "Disk drives" category.
   • Look for your SSD drive in the list and check its properties.
   • If it is listed as an M.2 drive, it will typically mention "M.2" in the name or description [1].

2. Use System Information tools: System information tools can also provide information about the type of SSD installed. Here's how to access this information:

   • Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
   • Type "msinfo32" and press Enter to open the System Information tool.
   • In the left pane, expand the tree to Components > Storage > Disks.
   • Look for your SSD drive in the right pane and select it.
   • The information displayed should include the drive type, indicating whether it is M.2 or 2.5 SATA [2].

3. Check the specifications: If you know the model of your SSD drive, you can search for its specifications online. Visit the manufacturer's website or reputable hardware resources and search for your SSD model. The specifications should indicate whether it is an M.2 or 2.5 SATA drive [2].

Remember, these methods provide information about the type of SSD drive installed based on the system's detection and specifications. It's always a good idea to cross-reference the information obtained from multiple sources to ensure accuracy.

Learn more:

1. How to know my SSD drive is an M.2 drive or 2.5 Sata ... - Quora
2. How to find out SSD, NVMe or HDD in a Windows 11 computer
3. 4 Ways To Check If Your PC Has SATA Or NVMe SSD In Windows 10