Windows 10: HDD Drive is not showing up on my File Explorer or anywhere else on my PC, But the Files...

So I have a Second Hard Drive plugged into my PC via USB adapter, the light on the adapter says it's plugged in but the Drive does not show up anywhere on my PC, Not in the File explorer and it's not even showing any proportions either. However when I installed a Data Recovery application it shows up in there so I know my Files are all safe. Is my HDD Drive slowly dying? What should I do to resolve this for free because I don't have money right now to buy another Hard Drive. I do already have a few extra one's laying around my bedroom somewhere.

:)

 

File Explorer- no drive letters are listed.

The File Explorer in Windows 10, shows the Frequent folders list and Recent files list by default. You can view the drives by clicking on This PC tab on the left site of the File Explorer. But if you wish the File Explorer
to open This PC showing drives list by default, then follow these steps:

1. In Windows 10, open a new File Explorer window and click the View tab from the ribbon toolbar.

2. In the View tab, find and click on Options, listed by default on the far right side of the ribbon.

3. In the Folder Options window, make sure you’re on the General tab and then find the drop-down box labeled Open File Explorer To. Click the drop-down menu and select This PC. Click OK to
save your changes and close the window. Now your File Explorer opens to Drives list by default.

Hope this helps!

 

HDD not showing in the File explorer in Windows 10.

Hello Lorna,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Community. We will assist you in resolving the issue.

Unallocated drives are those whose drive letters are not allocated. You will be able to view the drive on your PC if you have allocated a drive name for the partition created. The drive will not be visible on the PC if you do not allocate a drive letter
or a drive name.

Allocate a drive letter to the HDD by following the steps below and check if the issue is resolved.

• 
  Connect the HDD to the PC.
  
• 
  Open Run command by pressing
  Windows Key + R keys on the keyboard, type diskmgmt.msc and press
  Enter.
  
• 
  Right click on the Unallocated disk drive and select
  New Simple Volume option. Follow the onscreen instructions where in the process you will get to a window where you can allocate a drive name for the HDD.
  
• 
  After allocating a drive letter, right click on the drive and select
  Open. Check if you are able to open the drive in File Explorer.
  

Write to us with the status of the issue on the same post for further assistance. Your reply is most important for us to ensure we assist you accordingly.

Thank you.

 

Unable to open Western Digital 320GB hard drive in File explorer to format on Windows 10.

Hello Yancy,



Thank you for posting on Microsoft Community. We regret the inconvenience caused and will assist you in resolving the issue.



Before assisting further, I would like to ask you few questions:

• Is Western Digital 320GB an external or internal hard drive?
• Does the drive show in Disk management?
• Does other external drives get detected and show in File explorer on the PC?

You might be facing the above issue due to the unallocated letter for the drive. Unallocated drives are those whose drive letters are not allocated when initially partitioned or after formatting. You will be able to view the drive on your PC if you
have allocated a drive name for the partition created. The drive will not be visible on the PC if you do not allocate a drive letter or a drive name.



Method 1: Check if the drive is shown in
File Explorer. If the drive is not shown in the File Explorer, allocate a drive letter to the HDD by following the steps below and check if the issue is resolved.

• Connect the HDD to the PC, press Windows logo + X keys on the keyboard and select
  Disk management option from the context menu. Check if the drive is visible in the window.
• If visible, right click on the Unallocated disk drive and select
  New Simple Volume option. Follow the onscreen instructions where in the process you will get to a window where you can allocate a drive name for the HDD.
• After allocating a drive letter, right click on the drive and select
  Open. Check if you are able to open the drive in File Explorer.

Method 2: If the issue persists, follow the steps below to check if the contents of the external HDD drive can be accessed:

• Connect the HDD to the PC, press Windows logo + X keys on the keyboard and select
  Disk management from the context menu.
• Check if the HDD is visible in the window (It should show if the drive is detected under Device manager).
• If visible, right click on the drive and select Open from the context menu.
• Check if the contents will open in the File Explorer window.
• If the HDD fails to open in File Explorer, I suggest you to format the drive in the same window by choosing
  Format option form the context menu on right clicking on the drive.
• Close the windows and check if the changes are effective.

Write to us with the answers to the above questions and the status of the issue on the same post for further assistance. Your reply is most important for us to ensure we assist you accordingly.



Thank you.