How to change a drive letter in Windows 10
You can change a drive letter in Windows 10 using the Disk Management tool, which is built into the operating system. The process takes about five minutes and requires no additional software. You open Disk Management, right-click the drive you want to rename, select "Rename" or "Properties", and type a new letter from the available options.
Windows assigns drive letters automatically when you connect a new hard drive, USB drive, or external storage device. Sometimes the letter it picks conflicts with another device, or you straightforward want your drives organized in a way that makes sense to you. Changing the letter does not affect the files stored on the drive — it only changes how Windows refers to that drive in File Explorer and other programs.
Key Takeaways
- Disk Management is the official Windows 10 tool for changing drive letters and requires no downloads or third-party software.
- You can only assign letters that are not already in use by another drive, and Windows reserves A and B for legacy floppy drives.
- Changing a drive letter does not move or delete any files — it only changes the name Windows uses to identify the drive.
- If a program is currently using files on the drive you want to rename, Windows will not let you change the letter until you close that program.
- External drives and USB devices keep their new letter only if you assign it through Disk Management; unplugging and replugging may reset it.
Open Disk Management on Windows 10
The fastest way to open Disk Management is to right-click the Start button in the lower left corner of your screen and select "Disk Management" from the menu. If that option does not appear, click the Start button, type "Disk Management" into the search box, and click "Create and format hard disk partitions" when it appears in the results.
Disk Management opens in a new window divided into two sections. The top half shows a list of all your storage devices. The bottom half shows a visual map of each drive's partitions — the separate sections that Windows treats as individual drives. Find the drive you want to rename in either section.
Locate the drive you want to rename
In the top section of Disk Management, look for the drive letter you want to change. The list shows the drive name, the file system type (usually NTFS or FAT32), the total size, and the current drive letter in parentheses. For example, you might see "New Volume (E:)" or "External Drive (G:)".
If you are not sure which drive is which, look at the size. Your main Windows drive (usually C:) is typically the largest. External drives and USB devices are usually much smaller. You can also unplug an external device and watch the list refresh to confirm which one disappears.
Right-click and select Properties or Rename
Right-click the drive you want to change in the top section of Disk Management. A menu appears with several options. Click "Properties" (or "Rename" if that option is visible — it depends on your Windows version and the type of drive).
If you clicked "Properties", a new window opens. Click the "General" tab if it is not already selected. At the top of the window, you will see the current drive name and letter. Click in that text field to edit it. You can change the name (the text part) or the letter (the single character in parentheses), or both.
Type the new drive letter
If you are changing only the letter, clear the current letter and type the new one. Windows only allows letters C through Z (A and B are reserved for legacy floppy drives, and your main Windows drive is almost always C). You cannot use a letter that is already assigned to another drive on your computer.
If you want to change the drive name as well — the descriptive text that appears in File Explorer — you can do that in the same field. For example, you might change "New Volume (E:)" to "Backup Drive (F:)". Type the new name, then the new letter in parentheses.
Click "explore" and then "OK" to save the change. Windows updates the drive letter when ready. If you see an error message saying the drive is in use, close any programs that are currently accessing files on that drive and try again.
What to do if the drive letter will not change
If Windows will not let you change the drive letter, it usually means a program is actively using that drive. Close all open programs, especially File Explorer windows that are browsing that drive, and try again. You may also need to close background programs like antivirus software or backup utilities that scan the drive automatically.
If the drive is your main Windows drive (usually C:), you cannot change its letter while Windows is running. The system drive must always be accessible with the same letter. If you need to change the C: drive letter for a specific reason, you would need to use advanced tools or consult a professional — this is not a standard task and can cause Windows to fail to start.
For external drives and USB devices, Windows sometimes resets the drive letter back to its original assignment when you unplug and replug the device. If this happens repeatedly, you can set a permanent letter by using Disk Management to assign it to a specific partition on the device, rather than just renaming the volume.
Verify the change in File Explorer
Open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon on your taskbar or pressing Windows key + E. Look at the left sidebar under "This PC" to confirm that your drive now shows the new letter. The drive should appear in the list with its updated name and letter.
If the change does not appear when ready, close File Explorer and reopen it. If the drive still shows the old letter, go back to Disk Management and check whether the change was actually saved. Click "explore" again if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my C: drive letter?
No. Your main Windows drive must remain as C: while Windows is running. Changing it can prevent Windows from starting. If you have a specific reason to change it, you would need professional help or advanced recovery tools.
Will changing a drive letter delete my files?
No. Changing the letter only changes what Windows calls the drive. All files remain exactly where they are. Programs that reference files by their full path (like C:\Users\Documents) may need to be reconfigured if you change the drive letter, but the files themselves are not affected.
What if the letter I want is already taken?
You can only use a letter that is not currently assigned to another drive. If the letter you want is in use, you must first change the other drive to a different letter. For example, if you want to use E: but it is already assigned, change the current E: drive to F: first, then assign E: to your drive.
Do external drives keep their new letter after I unplug them?
Not always. External drives and USB devices sometimes revert to their original letter when you disconnect and reconnect them. To make the change permanent, use Disk Management to assign the letter to the specific partition on the device, not just the volume name.
Can I use letters A or B?
No. Windows reserves A: and B: for legacy floppy disk drives, even though most computers no longer have them. You can only assign letters C through Z to your storage devices.