adminOverview: What is the reason behind partition not appearing in the Windows 11/10 operating system? Solutions to the error is here! In this case, BLR Tools provides you with the fixes for disk drive partitions not recognize on Windows 10/11. It is necessary that you use the corresponding fixes as to your scenario. Are you facing Windows 11/10/8/7 File Explorer or Disk Management that your hard disk partition is not visible and want to fix HDD partition not showing on Windows? So to solve the following overviewed statements and issues, read this article below with a solution to make hard drive visible on Windows that was not showing due to any reason. Tips are given in this article manual methods in total of 5 plus additional settings and ways.
Help please My HDD partition not showing on Windows
Yesterday when I switch on my laptop there were no two drive D and E, instead there was C drive on which my Windows 10 operating system is installed, I opened Disk Management to have a look at the problem, but here Local Disk C is shown as Healthy Primary and System partition where as D and E partition were not shown as healthy or Primary partition or any unallocated space. Is it a software issue or the hardware issues let me know how can I format partition D and can solve HDD partition not showing on Windows?
The problem of Windows 7/8/10 not recognizing hard disk partition often commonly occurs. The connected external hard disk partitions or one or all the partitions on your hard disk may not appear in Windows.
What should I do When My Hard Disk drive not showing on Windows 10?
Given below is certain cause which lead to the condition of partition not being visible in Windows 8. Here we list some points that are most likely to cause the problem: Here we list some points that are most likely to cause the problem:
Possible Causes of Partition are not being displayed in Windows 11
Since multiple factors can lead to the “HDD partition not showing on Windows”, you may also come across it like other users. Summing up all the possible causes for the Windows 10 and 11 disk partition not showing up error, there are the following causes.
In most cases, the hard drive is old or not compatible with your computer in this case another option is suggesting for you.
- Hence, there is physical damage on the disk.
- He is getting Bad Sectors or Corrupted Files on the hard drive.
- Viruses or malware are present in the system.
- The partition is hidden.
- The partition is deleted/lost.
- It is not recognized or it is missing from the Windows list of installed hard drives.
- Due to power supply and unwanted issue related to power supply between hard disk drive and PC or laptop
- There is an issue with USB port either plug or wire damage
- Driver of Windows for external drive is outdated
What should one have to do to resolve the Windows 10 disk HDD partition not showing on Windows? Well, this post gives you the solutions to it for 3 different cases.
In the case of proper categorization of problems, several solutions are applicable under different circumstances.
Because the reasons for the occurrence of the problem, which is hard disk partition not visible in Windows File Explorer, are diverse, you have to resort to various actions.
Also read: Download Missing Folders in Windows
First Method out of 3 – Partition Not Showing on Windows 10/11
Try a fix: Run Devices Troubleshoot for Hardware by “Computer Manage” option
An inbuilt program into Windows OS is Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter to assist users to fix any issues related to hardware like external drive, usb and pen drive etc. When the Hard Disk Drive HDD partition not showing on Windows, one can run this program to solve issues. Windows CMD command prompt works on Windows 10 and 11 as the feature might be missing and not available. So run the CMD command prompt for the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter.
For a guide – simply follow below steps for troubleshooting:
First Step: Run CMD by search option and run command prompt as an Administrator – Simply type CMD in search option on Windows.
Second Step: Into CMD command prompt Windows – Write MSDT.exe -ID DeviceDiagnostic and hit enter button on keyboard. Doing so, will open the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter. As well on the other side one can run the same troubleshooter by writing MSDT.exe -ID DeviceDiagnostic in the prompted command box and simply press enter button.
Look at the Run direct run here screenshot:
Third Step: Now run Troubleshooter program hitting on next button on prompted windows box. Complete the task by simply following on-screen steps guide and simultaneously check and confirm if Windows 10 and 11 HDD partition not showing on Windows problem is solved.
Second Method to Fix Error HDD not Showing on Microsoft Windows 10/11/8/7
Check and Test the connection of Hard Drive or Power supply related Problem
In case the PC or laptop does not find and recognize the hard disk drive or HDD partition not showing on Windows, attempt for a different usb cable and with another USB port to re-confirm if there is not issue with port.
External drive indicates the light blinking or not, this way it can be confirm either the connection via USB port and cable is working or not and power supply working or not.
If you find the HDD connected is working in a different port or using different cable for connection, then problem is with either USB cable and USB port and required to fix. If different port is working then it means the last port is not functioning and required fix and if changing cable working on the same previous port then cable is required to replace.
Now the crossed fingers assuming it will fix, that external hard dis drive is appearing in Windows File explorer.
Third Method to Fix HDD not Showing via Change Drive Letter
Go with Disk Management and proceed to attempt to change drive letter
Whenever users connect an external hard drive disk on Windows OS, then Windows will automatically assign a drive letter.
To help Windows OS to recognize the hard drive connected, assign a new letter to drive that is already preassigned by Windows and this resets communication transmission between hard drive and Windows.
- Now in search option on taskbar – press “Windows plus X” to navigate to Disk Management, and now select “disk management” from the list showing in left pane.
- Now click on mouse right on external disk drive and chose “change drive letter” option.
- Via drop down menu option – chose a fresh new letter from the list of alphabets available in dialogue box and hit on “OK”
- Now the external hard disk drive HDD will temporary disconnect and simultaneously reconnect with the fresh new letter assigned and applied.
Fourth Method – Uninstall Driver and Reconnect Drive in Device Manager
This method is also effective in resolving problem when the driver is outdated or corrupt due to any reason and this results in hard drive showing partition error or HDD partition not showing on Windows PC:
- Now to open Device Management feature, search directly “Windows plus X” key and chose the “Device Management”.
- Now navigate to expand hard drive disk structure
- So now right click mouse on HDD and chose “Uninstall”
- After uninstallation of hard disk drive, unplug it from Windows OS machine
- Wait for a moment 1-2 minutes, subsequently reconnect the drive via USB connector
- So now driver must be automatically loaded
- Now check the drive navigating to “File Explorer”
Fifth Method – Additional Fix for HDD Not Showing on Windows Explorer
Update the device manager as said above in method fourth
It simply means that physical HDD/s new partitions are NOT RECOGNIZED by File explorer if their hard disk is not visible in Disk Management. If that is so, then one is able to troubleshoot this problem by updating the device driver for the hard disk as shown above. Here are detailed steps:
- Hit on the “Windows plus R” key to navigate CMD run box for search – now write “devmgmnt.msc” and hit enter to open Windows “Device manager”
- Press Click disk drivers and find the external hard disk that is now appearing in Disk Management. Then, it is right click and select, ‘Update Driver’.
- Chose the appeared option as “search automatically for driver update” program.
- Then ensure that the hard disk partition can be seen in Disk Management and File Explorer sections.
Wrap things up
There are 5 ways to resolve the problems and listed are some symptoms that can be observed in Windows 11/10/8/7 when a HDD partition not showing on Windows device.
You can try to convert the disk to GPT if through the Windows disk management it shows that windows did not create the chosen partition. Doing this will make Windows recognize the disk. The BLR Tools for data recovery program is one of the ways through which you can get help. This can be useful to regain your information.
In case Windows 10 does not display the GPT system partition you can set the system partition as the boot drive in BIOS or switch on the UEFI mode in the BIOS at your wish. But if the computer does not show the UEFI boot option then this GPT will have to be converted to the MBR so as to be able to find the partition.
If the normal disk partition does not appear, you can open a way to perform the partitioning recovery, the revealing of the partition, and the formation of the partition to NTFS. These methods and blades to try, but if all are ineffective, format the drive and use the data recovery tool which is in BLR Tools to recover the lost data.
As elaborated earlier, there are diverse circumstances that can lead to HDD partition not showing on Windows 7/8/10/11. If you are in such a condition, what you can do is to check the status of the partition through Disk Management first. These issues are easy to solve, if the hard disk partition even not showing up in Disk Management, one can also go with option to Device Manager to update outdated drive and to check the connectivity in between PC or laptop and hard disk drive. If you find this post helpful, you can recommend it to your friends with the similar problem as yours.
Have you still encountered problems with the external hard drive?
If by any chance you are still having these problems, then it is most certain that the external hard drive has developed some sort of problem and the best option suggested is to contact the hard drive manufacturer. Manufacturers normally provide on-demand support for those warring technical support and can assist individuals in installing home electronic devices and identifying unique difficulties they observe out of the manufactured devices.
In the worst of situations, a hard drive in your computer might require replacement, preferably before the warranty of the manufacturer expires.
Another Effective and Recommended Method – Manual Service for Recovery of Partitions
Rest assured that you don’t need to worry if none of the above solutions work to get your partitions working normally on Windows 10, 11, 8 and 7. For help with the last method, users can opt for data restoring services from BLR Tools company.
Do you need services that can recover lost data?
In case you completely lost the data after reformatting a drive, having a RAW disk, losing a partition, failing to repartition the disk drive, or getting a system boot error, you may need more help from experts. Talk to BLR Tools Data Recovery Experts for manual lab recovery services at reasonable cost. These services could be provided after a free diagnosis:
- Unformat the hard disk drive
- You can fix the operating system, RAID, or RAW disk.
- Find and restore a lost partition that software can’t find?
Precautions To Avoid ‘HDD partition not showing on Windows’ Error
By making hard disk drive partitions showing on Windows PC or laptop, here some of the tips are suggested by top of the experts to prevent issues in future and causes for HDD partition not showing on Windows and unrecognize again.
- Format the drive that is supported file system of Windows – NTFS.
- Do not hide disk drive partition.
- Should be cautious while using the Disk Management.
- If your system drive disk is GPT, then enable boot mode from UEFI.
- Computer PC or laptop does not support UEFI Boot then change GPT to MBR and change it to legacy boot mode.
- Now change MBR to GPF in case PC or laptop does not support UEFI mode in order to show partition.
- Use and run AntiVirus program frequently.
- Always check USB port, USB cable and power supply connections.
- On a routinely basis create backup of partitioned drive data.
