Share via

Accidentally 'Ejected' "D:Windows" from new install - How to recover the partition?

Anonymous
2019-08-23T05:02:31+00:00

New Computer with a fresh install of Windows 10.  There is only one 1tb SSD on the system.  The "This PC" tab originally (aka earlier this evening) showed two partitions/drives, a "C" drive of 930 GB and a "D" drive which held the Windows installation (it had about 5 gb free).  Next to it was USB Drive "E".  Figuring that "E" was the Windows 10 thumb drive, I right clicked it and selected "Eject" to safely remove the thumb drive.

...

The "D" drive disappeared.

...

Now I have a "C" drive and a grayed out "E"

How do I get back the accidentally ejected Partition?  I tried a System Restore - but that did not give me back the "D" drive.

Also - while Windows is still running, I'm worried about shutting down the comp.  Should I be?

Thanks for any help!

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

13 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2019-08-23T20:27:59+00:00

    That number, 930+ GB is correct for a 1TB drive.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2019-08-23T18:41:15+00:00

    I do remember when Windows 10 1803 was released back in April 2018, there was an issue with a hidden partition showing up in File Explorer.

    This is what Microsoft said:

    Microsoft is aware that previously-hidden partitions are improperly being assigned drive letters after installing the April 2018 Update. As a result, they now appear in Disk Management and File Explorer. These partitions are typically recovery partitions used by the Windows Recovery Environment or by the Original Equipment Manufacturer. It is not recommended that you attempt to delete or reformat these partitions as this may have adverse effects on your ability to recover Windows. Microsoft is currently working to address the issue in a future Windows Update, and weíll update this thread when a solution becomes available.

    (Update 5/14/18: The solution that will soon be released via Windows Update will only prevent this issue from occurring for devices that install the April 2018 Update after the solution is released. If you've already installed the April 2018 Update and are experiencing this issue, you'll need to follow the steps below if you want to hide these partitions.)

    Although you can safely ignore these partitions, if you prefer do away with the low disk space warnings and hide the partitions so they no longer appear in File Explorer, you can do so by manually removing the partitionís assigned drive letter.

    Some users have reported it happening randomly in recent versions.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2019-08-23T18:07:36+00:00

    Ah - sorry - I should have copied the whole CMD effort the first time.

    .

    I typed it with the space originally, and got "The parameter is incorrect" before re-typing it in without the space for the second attempt (shown in the post above).

    .

    I ran it again with the space, with the same results.  - Am I perhaps missing something?

    .

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2019-08-23T05:18:27+00:00

    Hi Dyer

    My name is Andre Da Costa; an Independent Consultant, Windows Insider MVP and Windows & Devices for IT MVP. I'm here to help you with your problem.

    Press Windows key + X

    Click Disk Management

    Take a screenshot of the resulting dialog then post in a reply here.

    Learn how:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wik...

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2019-08-23T13:09:48+00:00

    Thanks for the fast response!

    Does it matter that the capacity is less than 1tb?

    0 comments