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3 Ways to Fix Second Hard Drive Not Showing on Windows 10
Give a try to these confirmed solutions right away
6 min. read
Updated onOctober 24, 2023
updated onOctober 24, 2023
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Most of us probably use only one hard disk drive in the computer, but some people who need more space also tend to use two.
Some usersusing a second hard drivehave reported that their computer can’t detect the second one after Windows 10 upgrade.
Therefore, we came up with some solutions to solve the problem.
First, you should reopen your computer and check if your hard disk is connected correctly. Check out this guide for additional info if you’re unsure what to do.
If everything is connected right, but you’re still facing the issue with detecting your second hard disk drive, try one of the following solutions.
Why is my second hard drive not showing up in File Explorer?
If your second hard drive is not detected in Windows 11 or 11, it’s possible that thesecond hard drive is unallocatedand can’t be accessed.
If yournew hard drive is not showing up, it’s possibly not connected correctly or not configured in BIOS, so be sure to check that.
Driver issues or problems with a USB cable or port can cause anexternal hard drive tonot show up on Windows, so ensure everything is connected correctly and working.
How do I access my secondary hard drive?
There are several ways to access the secondary hard drive in Windows. If you want to view or modify the files stored on the drive, press Windows + E and locate the hard drive here, provided it’s connected to the PC.
To make changes to it, create partitions, or format the drive, you can access it via theDisk Managementutility that comes pre-installed in Windows.
How can I use two hard drives on one computer?
You can opt for two options to use two hard drives on one computer. You can choose either the external hard drive or the internal one.
If you go ahead with the external hard drive option, all you need to do is plug in the external HDD to your USB or serial port, and that’s it. You are all set to use it, save your files, move files to and fro, etc.
The best part of the external hard drive is that it is movable, and you can detach it and keep it with you, making sharing files more convenient.
Regarding the internal hard drive, you need to open up a few screws on your laptop, find a vacant slot, attach the external HDD to it, and boot your PC to work.
How can I fix the secondary hard drive if it’s not showing up on Windows 10?
1. Check for the driver updates
If your computer could recognize the second harddiskbefore the Windows 10 upgrade, there’s a possibility that your current harddiskdrivers are not compatible with Windows 10.
However, downloading drivers manually can be a long and tedious process that might affect your PC (if you hit the wrong button). Using specific software to keep drivers up to date is the most efficient method.
One cutting-edge solution isOutbyte Driver Updater, which will scan your Windows PC and warn you of any device drivers that are outdated, damaged, or missing.
Outbyte Driver Updater updates are released regularly to fix errors, enhance communication, and provide new features and stability to the PC.
Outbyte Driver Updater
2. Change driver letter and path
Maybe your harddiskis connected correctly and works well, but if it doesn’t have a letter by its name, you won’t be able to access it from This PC.
So, we’ll change the drive letter, and hopefully, the harddiskwill reappear.
3. Recover damaged Windows hard drive
Users often need their second hard drive to recover their data from it. If it is not detected, we recommend you usedata recovery software.
Stellar Data Recovery is an advanced backup and recovery software that allows users to perform complex recovery tasks efficiently.
With cross-platform compatibility to match all storage devices, a convenient Scan & Resume Recovery option for extra flexibility, and all the features you could dream of, this tool does more than your average app.
And we mean it – the stellar recovery power spreads beyond easy file recovery. With unparalleled accuracy, it retrieves your data from the most unfortunate scenarios, including formatted, corrupted, and encrypted drives.
⇒Get Stellar Data Recovery
Try one of these tools if you have some necessary data on your external HDD.
What can I do if the second hard drive does not show up on Windows 11?
Here are a few things apart from the ones mentioned above that you can do to fix the second hard drive not showing up on Windows 11 issue.
How do I activate my second hard drive?
We also have a useful guide on what to do if theATA/SATA hard drive is not detected in BIOS.
Besides, if youcan’t change the hard disk serial number, our solutions will help!
That would be all. Feel free to reach out in the comments section below if you have any comments or suggestions.
More about the topics:external hard drive,External HDD,Fix Hard Drive issues
Radu Tyrsina
Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).
For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.
Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.
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