How to Reassign a Flash Drive

USB flash drives connect to PCs via USB ports.

Microsoft automates most of the hardware connections in the Windows operating system so that end-users may enjoy using the computer without too much complication. Flash drives usually have a USB (universal service bus) connector, which is indeed "universal" to include other operating systems, e.g., "Apple Mac OS." The drive letter is assigned by Windows when the flash drive is connected to the computer, but you can reassign a different letter to the drive if you wish.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Windows operating system

Instructions

1. Click on "Start" or the Windows orb logo on the taskbar at the bottom of the desktop to show the Start menu. Select "Run" from the menu to open a dialog box. Type "compmgmt.msc" in the blank field labeled "Open," then click the "OK" button to open the "Computer Management" utility.

2. Click the "Storage" icon in the left pane, then click on "Disk Management," which will display drive letter assignments in the right pane.

3. Right-click on the drive letter that is assigned to the flash drive to show pop-up menu, then choose "Change Driver Letter and Paths" from the menu to open a dialog box.

4. Click on the "Change" button to open a smaller dialog box.

5. Click the down arrow to show the letters next to "Assign the following drive letter." Choose a different letter from the current assignment.

6. Click "OK" button in both dialog boxes to save the changes to the flash drive letter reassignment and close the boxes. Exit Computer Management.

Tips & Warnings

• Another option is to "rename" the flash drive rather than reassigning the drive letter (see Resources).

References

• Microsoft: TechNet--Overview of Disk Management
• Microsoft: Change, Add or Remove a Drive Letter
• Microsoft: Rename a Drive

Resources

• Microsoft: Rename a Drive
• Microsoft: Mount or Dismount a Drive