TechRepublic's Microsoft Weekly newsletter
Subscription | Read Online Twitter Facebook Google+

Windows tip of the week

How to change a drive letter


By Ed Bott


When you connect a new disk drive to your PC, Windows automatically assigns the next available drive letter. C is already taken, of course, by the system drive. So your external backup drive or USB thumb drive could end up as D, E, or F, depending on how many drive letters are already in use.


But what if you'd prefer a different drive letter? You might want to assign M to the drive that contains your digital music files, or H for your File History drive, or X for your top-secret X-Files.


No problem. Start by ensuring that the drive you want to work with isn't in use and that no files from that drive are open. Next, open the Disk Management console (Diskmgmt.msc) and right-click the volume that has the drive letter you want to change. Click Change Drive Letter And Paths and then click the Change button, where you can choose from a list of available drive letters. (Don't use A or B, which have historically been reserved for floppy drives and can confuse older software.)


You might have to restart to make the change, but once it's complete, your new drive letter should be assigned permanently to your chosen device.

Latest on Microsoft

The Microsoft Store is just not ready to compete on any level

Even with a $100 credit, it's difficult to justify using the Microsoft Store for any purchase. Something has to be done and soon.

More TechRepublic stories

Windows 10 Cloud: Could this mystery OS be Microsoft's answer to Chromebooks?

Windows 10 helps stop spread of ransomware, Microsoft security researcher says

How to migrate settings, printers, and networks between Macs

Slack targets big business with Enterprise Grid and new intelligent features

Posts from ZDNet

Four years at Microsoft: My ringside seat to unprecedented transformation

Windows 10, Azure, drones: This system aims to ensure aircraft landings stay safe

Microsoft: Windows 10 will stop a ransomware epidemic when antivirus fails

FAQ: How to install, reinstall, upgrade and activate Windows 10

Featured multimedia

Gallery: The future impact of big data in politics

10 Android apps that every frontline IT professional needs

Today's recommended downloads

Want to be an ethical hacker? Do this course!

(Udemy)

Graphic Design Bootcamp

(Udemy)

Learn to Code by Making Games - The Complete Unity Developer

(Udemy)

Want to become Amazon Web Services Certified? Do this course!

(Udemy)

UX & Web Design Master Course: Strategy, Design, Development

(Udemy)

A special feature from ZDNet and TechRepublic

CES 2017: The big trends for business

CES showcases the tech trends that will shape the year ahead. Our journalists track down the most important products that will impact businesses and professionals.

Connect with TechRepublic

Visit the Subscription Center to get other free newsletters, manage your account settings or to be removed from TechRepublic communications.

Unsubscribe | Send Feedback | FAQ | Advertise | Privacy Policy

© 2017 CBS Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved.

TechRepublic is a registered service mark of CBS Interactive, Inc.

TechRepublic

235 Second Street

San Francisco, CA 94105

U.S.A.