On Windows 10, each drive you connect to the computer gets assigned a letter automatically to identify the device and make it accessible. However, sometimes, you may need to change the drive letter manually for many reasons.
For example, if you connect a drive (USB flash drive, external hard drive, or secondary hard drive) that was formatted on another device, the drive letter may conflict with another storage device on your computer. You prefer using a specific letter for a drive. Or you’re trying to organize the letters in a specific order.
Whatever the reason it might be, starting with build 20175 (Dev Channel), Windows 10 introduces a new experience to manage disks and volumes from within the Settings app, which also includes the ability to change the letter of a drive. (Technically, the partition inside the drive receives the letter, not the device. Since if the drive doesn’t have a formatted partition, no letter will be assigned and won’t be accessible.)
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to change the drive letter using the “Manage Disks and Volumes” tools available on Windows 10.
Change drive letter on Windows 10
To change the drive letter with Manage Disks and Volumes in the Settings app, use these steps:
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Open Settings on Windows 10.
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Click on System.
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Click on Storage.
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Under the “More storage settings” section, click the Manage Disks and Volumes option.
Manage Disks and Volumes -
Select the drive with the partition you want to change the letter.
Quick note: You may need to click the arrow button in the top right corner of the drive to see all the partitions. -
Select the partition.
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Click the Properties button.
Partition properties option -
Click the Change drive letter button.
Change drive letter on Windows 10 -
Use the drop-down menu and select the new letter.
Select new drive letter -
Click the OK button.
Once you complete the steps, the drive’s partition will now start using the new letter.
Just remember that you can’t change the letter of the partition where Windows 10 is installed, which is usually labeled as “C”, and you shouldn’t try to assign a letter to the system reserved partitions.
If the settings are not available, it’s because you are not running the version of the operating system that includes the tool. The Manage Disks and Volumes settings are available starting with Windows 10 build 20175 or higher releases.
In the case that you’re using an older version or an older release, such as Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, then you’ll need to use the Disk Management console, or Command Prompt or PowerShell to change the drive letter.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].