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How can I access my external SSD's storage?

Anonymous
2023-10-14T19:43:14+00:00

I have recently bought a new blank SSD. It's meant to be the disc of a new computer so I decided to clone my current hard drive.

This is my first hurdle. I have the SSD connected to my computer via a USB to SATA III adapter. Opening device and disc managers shows the SSD as a drive. Full description and completely empty. This is the only way my computer acknowledges my external SSD. I can't find it in File explorer.

A strange issue I noticed was that if I started up my computer with the external drive plugged in from the start, the windows explorer (and file explorer, by extension) would become unresponsive if I tried to open "This PC" for a few minutes after startup. I can access any folders and drives within the folder, I couldn't view the folder's direct contents.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-10-15T07:13:33+00:00

    Yes, I stumbled onto the option to create a partition and fixed my own issue a few hours after asking this question.

    For those that might get here via search:

    1. Open disc manager from the menu that pops up after pressing Win + X.
    2. Right click on the empty partition to the right of the disc name.
    3. From the menu, choose to create a simple partition.
    4. Now just follow the instructions. You can just keep clicking "Next" to create a partition with default settings.

    If everything was done right, open File explorer and look under "This PC". It should show up there.

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  2. Igor Leyko 110.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-10-14T21:19:25+00:00

    Hi Ernests,

    My name is Igor, it's a pleasure for me to help others and I'll do all my best to help you.

    A new drive has no partitions so it should not be visible in Explorer. But cloning programs will see this drive if it is properly connected.

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  3. Igor Leyko 110.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-10-15T21:30:34+00:00

    Glad to hear you solved your problem. Have a good day!

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