Windows 10: Windows blocking program installs on a new USB external hard drive.

Hello, I'm setting up a new USB external hard drive to install programs to. It came as an exFAT, and the 1st-thing done was to format it to NTFS It is a physical HDD, not a solid-state, but that shouldn't matter.


The problem is, every time I try to do anything to put programs on it, an error like this pops-up. I am the only user, I am using the admin account, and Win 10 Pro is fully updated.



I've tried checking the disk properties -> Security tab all good -> Advanced button and checking the Owner of the drive all good.

I checked temporarily disabling Windows Security no change.

I've tried the following: the troubleshootingcentral list Fixes 3-5 didn't apply, and Fixes 1, 2, and 6-8 didn't do anything. The Microsoft Support link's troubleshooter found nothing.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17588/windows-fix-problems-that-block-programs-being-installed-or-removed
https://www.troubleshootingcentral.com/how-to-fix-the-windows-cannot-access-the-specified-device-path-or-file-error/


I tried copying everything to the new drive, then also just the minimum recommended.

On the Steam program in particular, I followed the steps:

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129

https://www.howtogeek.com/257472/how-to-painlessly-move-your-steam-library-to-another-folder-or-hard-drive/


Is there a problem because the programs incl. Steam are startup programs executed from a USB drive? What other permissions can I check?

Any other options would be appreciated.

:)

 

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.

 

unrecognised external hard drive on Windows 10

Since you already reinstalled the drivers of the External Hard Drive, let's run the
Hardware and Devices troubleshooter as it can resolve your concern. You can do that by following these steps:

• 
  Press the Start button.
  
• 
  Type and select Troubleshooting.
  
• 
  Click on View all on the left panel.
  
• 
  Select and run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.
  

If the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter doesn’t resolve your concern, we suggest that you change the letter of the External Hard Drive. You can do that by following these steps:

• 
  Press the Start button.
  
• 
  Type and select Control panel.
  
• 
  Select System and Security.
  
• 
  Select Administrative Tools, and a new window will appear.
  
• 
  Double-click Computer Management, and a new window will appear.
  
• 
  Select Disk Management that is located under
  Storage in the left pane.
  
• 
  Right click on the External Hard Drive that is not showing on the File Explorer.
  
• 
  Select Change letter and network path, and a new window will appear.
  
• 
  Select Change, and choose the letter that you want for the External Hard Drive.
  

After changing the letter of the External Hard Drive, we suggest that you reboot your laptop for the changes to take effect.



Let us know how it goes.



Regards.

 

External Hard Drive

To address your concern, here are the troubleshooting steps that you can try. Follow the steps below:

Uninstall and reinstall the external hard drive program.

• In the Settings app, go to System.
• Go to Apps & features and locate the external hard drive program.
• Uninstall the program and go to the manufacturer's website to reinstall the updated version.

Uninstall and reinstall the Paragon driver software.

• Following the same steps mentioned above, locate the software in Apps & features
  and uninstall it.
• After uninstalling the software, go to the manufacturer's website to reinstall it.
  

To further isolate your concern, we'd also like to verify if the OneDrive app is enabled on your PC.

You can hit us back for additional help.

Kind regards.