How to show unused drives in Windows

Updated: 03/10/2024 by Computer Hope
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In Windows 7 and later versions, Microsoft has hidden all drives that are not currently being used. To show unused drives, select your version of Windows from the list below and follow the steps.

Windows 11

  1. Press the Windows key+X keyboard shortcut to open the Power User Menu and select File Explorer.
  2. In File Explorer, click the View option (A).
  3. In the View menu, click the Show entry (B).
  4. In the Show submenu, click the Hidden items entry (C) to remove the checkmark next to it.

Show hidden objects option in Windows 11 File Explorer.

Windows 7, 8, and 10

  1. Press the Windows key, type File Explorer, and press Enter.
  2. In the File Explorer window, click the View tab at the top (A). Then, on the far-right side of the View tab, click Options (B).

Explorer Options selector in Windows 10.

  1. In the window, click the View tab (A). Then, uncheck the box next to Hide empty drives (B). Finally, click Apply (C) and then OK (D).

Unhiding empty drives in Windows 10.