2

Assume the following - this assumes a Windows system with only a C drive listed within Computer/This PC:

  1. I have two USB drives - both different models. For the purpose of this example, let's refer to them as "Drive A" and "Drive B"

  2. I insert Drive A into the system, which is automatically assigned a mapping of "D" by Windows

  3. Whilst Drive A is still connected to the system, I then insert Drive B which is assigned a drive letter of "E"

  4. I then disconnect both USB drives, and reboot the system

  5. Finally, I then insert Drive B back into the system

At this point, Drive B is automatically assigned a drive letter of "E" - rather than "D", which would be the first logical choice for Windows to use; it's the first drive letter that isn't currently assigned to anything. Where does Windows store information relating to previously-inserted drives and their mappings, and is there any way to override this behaviour and simply tell Windows to always mount drives using the first letter available?

Improve this question
2
  • 1
    Usually assigning the first available drive letter is default behavior in windows, that is strange behavior, Windows 10?
    – Moab
    Nov 14, 2019 at 12:51
  • Some discussion here that may be relevant>>>>>>superuser.com/questions/1071704/…
    – Moab
    Nov 14, 2019 at 12:52

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3

Windows remembers mount points in the registry at the key of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\MountedDevices:

enter image description here

I can suggest the hack of renaming all the entries so they they all terminate by D:. Deleting them is probably just as good (do not delete the other entries).

I suggest exporting the above key to a file as a precaution, or creating a System Restore point before starting (just in case).

For more information see How to Change and Assign Drive Letter in Windows 10.

Improve this answer
4
  • What would happen if you renamed all the entries to D: and then connected two of them at the same time?
    – Disenchanted Lurker
    Nov 14, 2019 at 14:03
  • @DisenchantedLurker I tried that once. The 2nd one connected will get a random drive-letter. I can't recall if it reverted to D: after both where taken out and only the 2nd one put back. Probably not.
    – Tonny
    Nov 14, 2019 at 14:32
  • I would suggest using Disk Management to assigned the drive volume for the device in question, which of course changes these keys, rather then changing them manually. I suspect in either case, if you connect multiple devices, the keys will updated due to the fact two drives cannot have the same drive letter.
    – Ramhound
    Nov 14, 2019 at 16:13
  • @Ramhound: This method will work only for connecting one device at a time. Redoing the deletion can be by a .reg file that will delete drives D, E and F, which should be enough.
    – harrymc
    Nov 14, 2019 at 16:20

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .