How to Change Drive Letter

Windows assigns default letters to all drives. For example, early PC versions used "(Drive A:)" as the default floppy disk drive. "(Drive C:)" is probably the hard disk drive on your computer. As with most Windows defaults, you can change a drive letter so that it better suits your needs or preference. For instance, if you have installed additional CD-ROM, optical, or hard drives and the default drive letters do not seem logical to you, or if your network requires the same letter as an existing drive, you can reassign those letters for a more comprehensive system.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Windows XP or Vista computer

How to Change Drive Letter in Windows XP

1. Log onto the computer with a user name that has Administrator properties. To see if your user name is an Administrator, right-click the clock at the bottom right of your screen and select "Adjust Date/Time." If the window opens, you are logged in as an Administrator. If you receive an error message you will need to log off and log back in with another user name.

2. Click the "Start" button and open the "Control Panel." Check to see if the left pane says "Switch to Classic View." If not, click on "Switch to Category View." Click "Performance and Maintenance."

3. Right-click the drive that you want to change and select "Change Drive Letter and Paths." Click the "Change" button.

4. Select "Assign the Following Drive Letter" and choose the letter to which you want to change the drive. Click "OK" and then click "Yes" on the Windows confirmation message.

5. Click "No" if you receive the error message "Warning: Changing the drive letter of a volume could cause programs to no longer run." This may happen if files on the drive you are changing are in use. Close any programs that use the drive you are changing and try again.

How to Change Drive Letter in Windows Vista

6. Log onto the computer with a user name that has administrator properties. To see if your user name is an Administrator, click "Start" and type "user" into the "Start Search" box. Select "User Accounts" from the "Programs" list. If "Administrator" is listed under your user name, you have administrator properties. If not, you will need to log off and log back in with another user name.

7. Click "Start." Type "computer management" into the "Start Search" box and press "Enter." Click "Continue" if you are prompted to give permission to open the "Computer Management" window.

8. Select "Disk Management" in the left pane of the window.

9. Right-click the drive for which you want to change the drive letter. Select "Change Drive Letter and Paths."

10. Click the "Change" button. Select "Assign the Following Drive Letter" and choose the letter to which you want to change the drive. Click "OK."

Tips & Warnings

• You will not be able to change the drive letter of the drive that is currently in use or your operating system.
• If you change the drive letter for the hard disk drive, some currently installed programs on the hard disk may not work correctly and will need to be reinstalled.

References

• How to change drive letter assignments in Windows XP
• Change, add, or remove a drive letter