Windows not detecting second hard drive

If you want to get to hard drive, you can open File Explorer and it will be listed under this PC. You can copy and paste files to it as easily as you would to an internal drive.

Actually there is this solid shape, whether internally or externally attached, is easily found. You should hear the newly detected hardware sound when you connect it and it may take a few seconds while a driver is installed but the device will be accessible almost immediately.

Another main reasons is that a hard drive is not often found cable used to connect it to a system. Change it out and find out if the driver is found. When a computer doesn't recognize a secondary hard drive or the second hard drive is not showing up correctly, you must identify the root of the problem and find corresponding solutions. There are four types of second hard drive not showing up issues in Windows 10, 8. Examine your case and pick up one solution that works best for you.

If you run into one of these troubles, you are in the right place! On this page. According to the received feedback, over half of users didn't see their external hard drive appearing in the place where it should be, i. You can check it in the Disk Management, which is probably shown as a disk 1 or disk 2 with "Unallocated". Or do it in an easier way. Tip: If your second hard drive is a brand new one, you need to initial it. An uninitialized hard drive will be recognized as unallocated space, and you cannot see it on This PC.

It can quickly troubleshoot the problem by assigning a drive letter. Step 1. On the main window, right-click on the unallocated space on your hard drive or external storage device and select "Create". Step 2. Adjust the partition size, file system Choose the file system based on your need , label, etc.

Step 3. Click on the "Execute Operation" button and create a new partition by clicking "Apply". Close the program when the job is done. Now return to This PC or My Computer, your hard drive should be detected by Windows and correctly displayed with the drive letter you've just created!

In device manager, I found my second hard drive and did "scan for hardware changes" and in properties, I did Populate. I don't know which, of any of those things worked, but the drive was finally recognized and the C partition was automatically changed to E.

This thread is locked. You can follow the question or vote as helpful, but you cannot reply to this thread. I have the same question Report abuse. Details required :. Cancel Submit. Marc Cai Microsoft Agent. Here is how: 1. Update us about any result. Press Windows Key, then click on Search bar. Then click on View All on the left panel of the screen. Click on Hardware and Devices. Click on Next and follow the instructions. Method 2 : I would suggest you to try to check for the status of the drive in the device manager.

Expand Disk Drive. If you are able to find the driver for the external drive. Then again right click on the driver and click on Properties. Hope it helps. Get back to us for further assistance on Windows related issues. We will be glad to help. Was this reply helpful? Yes No.