I tried to download windows 11 onto external hard drive but it didn’t work and now external hard drive has disappeared

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I tried to download windows 11 onto external hard drive but it didn’t work and now external hard drive has disappeared

ADRIAN CADDICK 20

I tried to download windows 11 onto external hard drive as PC has no memory. I used Microsoft ISO and win to USB software but it failed to install. I then noticed that I had lost access to the external drive and all the files on it. How can I retrieve the files on the external hard drive and install windows 11?

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Answer 1

Alvise C 56,036 Volunteer Moderator

Hi Adrian, welcome in community

Ok, press WIN + R and type

diskmgmt.msc

See what is the situation here, maybe is missing a drive letter, if you can take a screenshot and share here the pic

How did you want to install Windows 11? Got Windows 10 now?

Let me know

Elvis

ADRIAN CADDICK 20 Reputation points

2025-08-17T09:39:12.3966667+00:00

Hi Elvis

I followed your instructions, see attached photo. Neither disk 0 appear to have my missing files within them and are not accessible. I have Windows 10 and have subscribed to Microsoft for another year only to find I can’t upgrade easily due to lack of memory on my PC, hence the need to use external drive. I look forward to some solutions in plain English as I get lost with technical IT speak. thanks
ADRIAN CADDICK 20 Reputation points

2025-08-17T09:55:33.3633333+00:00

Hi Elvis

I followed your instructions, see attached photo. Neither disk 0 appear to have my missing files within them and are not accessible. I have Windows 10 and have subscribed to Microsoft for another year only to find I can’t upgrade easily due to lack of memory on my PC, hence the need to use external drive. I look forward to some solutions in plain English as I get lost with technical IT speak. thanks