Azure VM has an existing data disk attached to it but not visible under Windows Explorer.

Question

I have rolled out one new Azure VM for Windows Server OS. VM size is Standard_D8s_v3. An existing hard disk of 1 TB is successfully attached to it, as Data Disk. When I connect to VM over RDP, the hard disk is not visible under Windows Explorer. The disk is visible under Computer Management app at Disk Management tab. The disk is shown as online.

Please suggest how do I fix this issue.

Answer 1

Hello Azure Scriptum

After you have attached disk to VM in Azure Portal, you need to initialize a new data disk at OS level

1. Connect to the VM.
2. Select the Windows Start menu inside the running VM and enter diskmgmt.msc in the search box. The Disk Management console opens.
3. Disk Management recognizes that you have a new, uninitialized disk and the Initialize Disk window appears.
4. Verify the new disk is selected and then select OK to initialize it.
5. The new disk appears as unallocated. Right-click anywhere on the disk and select New simple volume. The New Simple Volume Wizard window opens.
6. Proceed through the wizard, keeping all of the defaults, and when you're done select Finish.
7. Close Disk Management.
8. A pop-up window appears notifying you that you need to format the new disk before you can use it. Select Format disk.
9. In the Format new disk window, check the settings, and then select Start.
10. A warning appears notifying you that formatting the disks erases all of the data. Select OK.
11. When the formatting is complete, select OK.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/windows/attach-managed-disk-portal