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How to Release Desk Drawers

Desk drawers are often installed in a desk so they lock in place once pulled out a certain distance. This prevents the drawers from falling out of the desk and getting damaged in the process. However, the locking mechanism is sometimes problematic if you want to pull the drawers out to re-organize them or to move the desk more efficiently. Releasing the desk drawers is not usually difficult and should only require a little bit of manipulation.

Things You'll Need

  • Screwdriver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pull the drawer out of the desk as far as it naturally goes.

    • 2

      Feel the back of the drawer, looking for a cable attached to it. If you feel one there, unscrew it from its drawer attachment with a screwdriver. If you don't feel anything in the back, continue to the next step.

    • 3

      Reach your hands into the desk, and search for latches on both sides along the track the drawer slides on. Some desks require these latches to be pressed in to get the drawer loose.

    • 4

      Lift the drawer upwards off the track, and then pull it out of the desk. Drawers without latches often lift right out, and ones with latches should lift out once the latches are released.