Windows 10: my old usb thumb drives have become unrecognizeable after latest win 11 update

After the latest win 11 update 16/1/2025 my old usb thumb drives are no longer recognized by win explorer. For 2 of them when I try to access them I get a message to insert disk into USB drive. This is impossible and frustrating. Another drive wasn't recoginised so I formatted it but when I try to load a file onto it I get this error: "Error 0x800701B1: A device which does not exist was specified" then the usb drive doesn't show up in diskmgmt.msc. Any help would be greatly appreicated, Richard.

:)

 

I am attempting to do a clean install of Windows 11. (Aurora r13) installation media on a USB thumb drive.

I was able to successfully create the installation media on a USB thumb drive. However, when I performed the steps for the actual installation I got up to the Use a device screen but my thumb drive does not appear on the list. The two options that do appear are: Onboard NIC (IPV4) and Onboard NIC (IPV6). Suggestions? Thanks.

 

Thumb drives

Step 1: connect the USB thumb drive to an available USB port.

Step 2: Click Start > File Explorer > This PC

Step 3: open the thumb drive.

If its not showing up in File Explorer:

Check if the drive is assigned a drive letter.

Press Windows key + X

Click Disk Management

If you see your drive listed there, but no drive letter, right click it

Click Change Drive Letter and Paths

Click Add

Click Assign the following drive letter

Click in the Drive letter list box

Choose a drive letter - try choosing letters near the end of the alphabet

Click OK

Click OK again

If that does not work...

Press Windows key + X

Click Device Manager

Expand Disk drives

Right click the external drive

Click uninstall

Exit Device Manager, restart then check if its detected.

Other troubleshooting options you can try:

This issue can be caused if any of the following situations exist:

The currently loaded USB driver has become unstable or corrupt

Your PC requires an update for issues that may conflict with a USB external hard drive and Windows

Windows may be missing other important updates hardware or software issues

Your USB controllers may have become unstable or corrupt

Your external drive may be entering selective suspend

Your PC motherboard may need updated drivers

Resolution

To resolve this issue, follow the steps in the methods below in the order listed. If the first method does not fix the problem, proceed to the next.

Method 1: Uninstall and then reconnect the external hard drive

This method resolves issues where the currently loaded USB driver has become unstable or corrupt.

Select Start, type Device Manager in the Search box

Select Device Manager from the returned list.

Select Disk Drives from the list of hardware

Press and hold (or right-click) the USB external hard drive with the issue, and select Uninstall.

After the hard drive is uninstalled, unplug the USB cable.

Wait for 1 minute and then reconnect the USB cable. The driver should automatically load

Check for the USB drive in Windows Explorer

Note Connecting your USB external hard drive into a non-powered USB hub can cause a lack of enough power to operate the external drive. Instead, plug it directly into your computer.

If your problem still persists, proceed to Method 3.

Method 2: Install the latest Windows Updates

This method will install the latest device drivers for your USB external hard drive.

Select the Start button, type Windows Update in the Search box, and then select Windows Update in the results pane.

Select Check for Updates. After the scan is complete, select Review optional updates.

Select the check box next to the updates, then select Install updates.

If prompted, review the license agreement, then select I Accept.

Follow the onscreen instructions to download and install the updates.

If prompted, reboot your computer.

If your problem still exits, proceed to Method 4.

Method 3: Reinstall USB controllers.

This method resolves steps where the currently loaded USB driver has become unstable or corrupted.

Select Start, then type device manager in the Search box, and then select Device Manager.

Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers. Press and hold (or right-click) a device and select Uninstall. Repeat for each device.

Once complete, restart your computer. Your USB controllers will automatically install.

If your problem still exists, proceed to Method 5.

Method 4: Disable USB selective suspend setting.

This method prevents your USB external drive from powering down.

Select the Start button, type power plan in the Search box, and then select Choose a power plan.

Next to your currently selected plan, select Change Plan Settings.

Select Change advanced power settings.

Select the box to expand USB Settings > USB selective suspend settings.

Select Plugged in, select the drop down menu, and then select disabled.

If you're using a laptop, select Battery, select the drop down menu, and then select disabled.

Select Apply > OK.

Method 5: Install your motherboard's latest chipset drivers.

This method updates your motherboard's chipset drivers, so your computer will recognize your USB external hard drive.

Review your computer's documentation which should contain the name of the motherboard manufacturer.

Visit your computer manufacturer's support website. For a list of computer manufacturers' support sites, see Computer manufacturers' contact information.

Navigate their website to find the appropriate drivers for your motherboard. For assistance, contact your computer manufacturer.

 

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