First, assign a new drive letter to resolve the "Windows can't access this disc" error. To do this, open Disk Management, locate the affected drive, right-click it, select "Change Drive Letter and Paths," then click "Add" and choose a new drive letter from the dropdown menu to reassign it properly.
If you're seeing the error "Windows can't access this disc," it usually means there's an issue with the drive’s file system, permissions, or hardware. Don’t panic—it doesn’t always mean your data is gone. Here’s how to deal with it.

Check the basics first
Before diving into complex fixes, make sure you’ve covered the simple stuff:
- Try a different USB port – Sometimes the port might not be working properly.
- Use another cable or try connecting the drive to another computer – This helps rule out issues with cables or ports.
- Check if the drive shows up in File Explorer – If it appears but won’t open, move on to other steps.
-
See if it shows up in Disk Management – Press
Win R
, typediskmgmt.msc
, and see if the drive is listed but not assigned a letter.
Sometimes just reconnecting everything or trying a different setup can clear things up.

Assign a new drive letter
If Windows sees the drive but won’t let you access it, it might not have a proper drive letter assigned.
To fix that:

- Open Disk Management again (
diskmgmt.msc
). - Find your drive in the list—usually at the bottom.
- Right-click the partition and choose Change Drive Letter and Paths.
- Click Add, then assign a new letter that isn’t currently in use.
This often resolves basic access problems without needing deeper troubleshooting.
Run CHKDSK to repair disk errors
If the drive has file system corruption or bad sectors, Windows may block access to protect your data.
You can run CHKDSK
to scan and fix these kinds of issues:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Type
chkdsk X: /f /r
(replaceX:
with the correct drive letter). - Press Enter and wait for the process to finish.
It might take some time depending on the size of the drive. You’ll need permission to schedule the check if the drive is in use.
Format the drive (last resort)
If nothing else works and you don’t need the data on the drive, formatting is one way to get it recognized again.
But keep in mind:
- Formatting will erase all files on the drive.
- Make sure you’ve tried recovery tools or backups before proceeding.
- Choose the right file system—NTFS for internal drives, exFAT for external/portable ones.
You can format from Disk Management or through the command line using diskpart
.
Fixing "Windows can't access this disc" usually comes down to checking connections, assigning letters, scanning for errors, or formatting when needed. Most of the time, it’s something simple. Just be careful before wiping anything important.基本上就這些。
The above is the detailed content of How to fix 'Windows can't access this disc'. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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