A release mechanism is disclosed that can facilitate safely and efficiently removing an expansion card from a computing device. The release mechanism can be installed on a motherboard around an expansion slot, and can include an opening that permits access to the expansion slot to allow an expansion card to be installed therein. When removal of the expansion card is desired, a handled of the release mechanism can be pulled, causing contact surfaces of the release mechanism to push the expansion card away from the expansion slot with even force, removing the need to tilt the expansion card.