Windows 10: Disconnect internal hard drive externally

Being anal about backups and having issue after issue with Win 10, I need a way to physically disconnect/reconnect an internal backup hard drive with out cracking open the case and unplugging it. All of my hard drives are ssd.

Ron

:)

 

How do you remove a 'ghost' hard drive or the link to it?

Here is a list of the current named/lettered internal, external 'drives' I have on my HP laptop PC (Windows 10)

Internal: External:

Local Disc (C Storage (F

Recovery (D DVD RW (H

DVD RW Drive (E

The external 'ghost' hard drive which the PC Control Panel File History says is 'disconnected' is Expansion Drive (G?

When I go to Control Panel: select drives, none of the external, internal hard drives come up?

Control Panel: Computer Management: Disc Management had the above drives listed

but does NOT have Expansion Drive (G listed?

If the named/lettered Drive does not exist how can one delete the 'link' to it,

stop getting the 'File History' drive disconnected error message?

 

this Windows 10 Anniversary update taking 12+ hours to install and counting. HELP

Had the same trouble here...the update fails to load windows on the 2nd boot phase of the update. You end up with a black screen and the caterpillar going round and round but windows never boots. If you have any secondary Hard drives connected to your
PC external or internal, remove or disconnect them to do the update. I have an IDE drive as main drive and SATA as a secondary internal plus a 3rd drive external. I disconnected all but the C\: drive did the update and it worked. Hope this helps.

 

You could try turning it into a virtual hard drive, but why not just leave it on and running?

 

Open Admin Command Prompt > Type the following commands > The question mark ? is the disk you want to bring offline:

diskpart
list disk
select disk ?
offline disk

When you want online again > Same procedure:

online disk

 

And you can automate the diskpart command by putting them in a text file and then running diskpart like so:

diskpart /s offline.txt

Then you could do the same to turn it back on:

diskpart /s online.txt

 

This can be done by going into the BIOS and disabling the SATA ports the drives are on. This eliminates the need to physically remove them. Have done it a few times without issue. Just remember to re-enable the ports once done *Smile

BTW all my drives are SSD as well (4 total).

Good luck.

Edit: HippsieGypsie's suggestion works too. And is easier than my BIOS method.

 

Do not want to take any chances of corruption or anything happening to the backup as it is perfectly setup as I want. Given the progress of various ransom ware, viruses, and windows 10 crashes, I want to isolate this drive as much as possible. Currently, I open the case and disconnect the power cable. The only time it is connected is when I have to restore the primary back to my original setup which is on an average of 6 to 8 times a month. When the backup drive is connected, my internet is disconnected for even further protection. I do a lot of experimenting for some clients which can and does crash the primary drive on occasion. Once I am done with an experiment, I like to erase the primary and restore it with the clean backup. Over the years I have found this to be the best way to keep the system as clean as possible. Basically, I guess I am looking for a better way to physically disconnecting the power to the drive which will prevent any access to the backup.

 

:

Diskpart is not a secure disconnect as the drive is still listed in the lower half of disk management as offline and can be changed back to online by right clicking the offline drive listed in the left column of the lower half of disk management and selecting online.

My bios only gives me the option to disable all sata ports. I cannot individually disable one of them.

 

There are only 2 ways to do what you want.....hardware and software. The software way has been explained abundantly. The other way is hardware where you physically disconnect the drive.

 

What @Plankton said is the truth. But, why not take the internal drive out of the computer and put it in an external drive case. This will allow you to disconnect the drive by unplugging the USB connector and not have to open the case. That is what I would do.

 

Open the case, cut the power line, wire in a switch and drill a hole in the case so you can mount the switch somewhere on the case you can easily get to. Then at least you won't have to open the case any more.

 

Bree's idea is good, but if the data is that important to you, play2mefish's idea is best, but slide the drive out of a USB enclosure and place it in a safe. Then I'd make a copy and place it in good hands of a trusted friend or a bank vault box. One never knows with a house fire or theft. Also, I'd be wanting the option to connect to another machine if need be. Simple with a USB enclosure.

 

That would require some serious psychokinetic skill.

 

A thing like this would be useful: Removable Hard Drive | eBay I have one with 3 bays with one of them always empty for backup disks. There are also switches for disks: Kingwin HDD Power Switch Module 6 Switches for 5.25 Inch Bay Ps6 | eBay
https://www.amazon.com/device-switch.../dp/B01MAX56SA
Or even: How To Build A SATA Hard Drive Switcher - YouTube