Windows 10: External Hard Drive lists as "LOCAL DRIVE" or "DEVICE NOT READY" when I attempt to access...

Early this week, a notification was received for an upgrade install, since that upgrade, I have not been able to access my files correctly that are stored on my External Hard Drive. I keep getting a pop-up reading "Device Not Ready", "Device Not Recognized", and when it was formatted, it was named, "ELEMENTS: H" which now only is titled "LOCAL DRIVE: H", and won't allow me access to the files saved, What is the FIX solution for this issue?? How can I retrieve the information without losing it permanently or causing a deletion?? The device having issues, is an WD ELEMENTS 4TB storage capaci

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External hard drive is showing up as local disk drive

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



As you have mentioned that the external hard drive is showing as local disk drive instead of a USB drive, it is because the file format for the external hard drive is same as the internal hard drive and that’s why it is showing
up as a local disk drive and not a USB drive.



Also, since you are facing issues while changing the drive letter of the drive, for further clarity on the issue and to guide you accordingly, respond to the questions listed below:

1. What is the make and model of the hard drive?
   
2. Were you able to save or create a file on the hard drive previously?
   
3. What happens when you try to copy and paste the data from the hard drive?
   
4. What was the result of check disk performed on the drive?
   

Since you are receiving the access denied error, I would suggest you to check if the user has appropriate permissions to read/write data on the external hard drive. Refer the article

"Access Denied" or other errors when you access or work with files and folders in Windows, refer the section
I cannot access, change, save, or delete files and folders.



Note:
The above article applies to Windows 10 also.



Please get back to us with the above information to assist you further with the issue.



We await your response.



Regards,

Prakhar Khare

Microsoft Community – Moderator

 

External hard drive is not accessible

Hi,

For us to provide a solution suited to your concern, we need additional information:

• Have you tried using different ports to connect your external hard drive?
• Did you try using other devices to connect your hard drive and access the files?

We'll wait for your response.

 

External hard drive not recognised

Thanks for this. I've done what you suggested and been through all the steps mentioned in the article. The hard drive works fine on a Mac computer, and I've managed to copy the information on it. It must be a Surface issue so I'll try to get a chat line tomorrow.