Windows 10: How to change an external drive name?

Discus and support How to change an external drive name? in Windows 10 Drivers and Hardware to solve the problem; I have multiple Western Digital external USB drives. Windows shows them as: "WD My Book 1230 USB Device" I mean this way: [img] Sizes are... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Drivers and Hardware' started by tfwul, Nov 23, 2019.

  1. tfwul Win User

    How to change an external drive name?


    I have multiple Western Digital external USB drives. Windows shows them as:
    "WD My Book 1230 USB Device"

    I mean this way:


    How to change an external drive name? [​IMG]


    Sizes are different though, e.g. 4TB 6TB. Within Windows Explorer, it is all clear, the drives have different names.

    When connecting the drives to a VM version of Windows, the drive names are shown as above and I have no idea which one to select in order to get either a 4TB or 6TB drive.

    Not sure but probably this is firmware related(?)
    i.e. there is no way to update the name (replace 'Device' with e.g. 4TB)

    Any suggestions?

    The only workaround I know is to just power off all external drives, except the one I wish to connect to VM.

    Thanks.
    (10 x64 1909)

    :)
     
    tfwul, Nov 23, 2019
    #1

  2. External drives not accepting changes to names

    Hi Steve,

    You can try changing the driver names through Disk Management. To access disk management, follow these steps:

    • Press the Windows key and type, "manage".
    • Right-click on Computer Management and choose to Run as Administrator.
    • On the left pane, click on Disk Management. Here, you may change the names of the external drives.

    Also, try revealing hidden files folders and delete the Autorun.inf folder. You will also need administrator rights to delete them. Once they're deleted, restart your computer.

    Let us know how it goes.
     
    Jairit Bet, Nov 23, 2019
    #2
  3. Remon Ont Win User
    External Hard Drive

    Hi John,

    We suggest that you try the troubleshooting steps below:

    • Open your External Hard Drive file in File Explorer.
    • Type the name of the file you want to search on the search box and click Enter.
    The file will show up in Search Results and you will be able to move it to the correct folder.

    Let us know if you need further help.
     
    Remon Ont, Nov 23, 2019
    #3
  4. How to change an external drive name?

    Naming external drives

    Wiindows uses the following strategy when assigning a drive letter to an external mass storage devices:

    • If the device has not previously been connected: Use the lowest available drive letter.
    • If the device has been previously connected:

      - If the previously used drive letter is currently available, use it.

      - If the previously used drive letter is not available, use the lowest available driver letter.
    If your drive letters keep changing then you could use one of these solutions:

    • Use high drive letters (e.g. R: and SHow to change an external drive name? :) to minimise the risk of the letters getting used by a different device.
    • Use a script to force the desired drive letters.
     
    Frederik Long, Nov 23, 2019
    #4
Thema:

How to change an external drive name?

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