UPDATE: New Registry method added which also allows you to show drive letter before drive name and works in Windows XP as well.
Recently an AskVG reader "Ronald G." contacted us regarding a strange problem. He asked us:
Dear VG
I'm using Windows 7. When I open Windows Explorer, it doesn't show drive letters for any drive. It only shows the drive name. So I can't understand which is C; drive, which D: drive and so on...
Can you please share a fix for this problem? How can I get the drive letters back?
Thanks
Actually its not a problem. Its a feature present in Windows Vista and 7. Windows Vista and 7 allow you to show or hide drive letters in Windows Explorer.
Although its a feature, it might create problems sometimes as mentioned above. It becomes really hard to distinguish between drives as you can't see drive letters.
Following is a screenshot of this problem when drive letters are not showing in Windows Explorer:
To fix the issue, you just need to follow these simple steps:
1. Open Windows Explorer, click on "Organize" button in command bar and select "Folder and search options".
2. Now go to "View" tab, scroll down a little bit and you'll see an option "Show drive letters" as shown in following screenshot:
3. It would be unchecked, enable the option and click on Apply button.
4. That's it. Now you'll be able to see drive letters in Windows Explorer.
Simple. Isn't it?
Registry Tricks for Advanced Users
The above mentioned method uses a simple registry trick to show / hide drive letters. You can play with the Registry to do some advanced things like showing drive letters before drive name.
1. Type regedit in RUN or Startmenu searchbox and press Enter. It'll open Registry Editor.
2. Now go to following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
3. In right-side pane, look for a DWORD ShowDriveLettersFirst. If you don't see it, create a new DWORD ShowDriveLettersFirst
4. Now set its value to any of following as per your requirements:
0 - To show drive letters after drive names (Default)
1 - To show local drive letters after drive names but remote drive letters before drive names
2 - To hide drive letters
4 - To show drive letters before drive names
5. That's it. This registry method works in almost all Windows versions including Windows XP, Vista and 7.
This article was posted by VG in following section: Troubleshooting, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our RSS feed or free newsletter to get all new articles directly in your Inbox. Also check out our popular articles and archive to read other interesting articles.
Patrick
you can also change the letter where it appears, after or before the drive name,
Lester
Vishal, I see you use a 64-bit version of Windows 7.
MYCO8721
the tweakui tool does this trick for an xp sp2 but not the sp3, would u happen to know how to do it for an XP? maybe manually from the registry or with a certain tool? made my icons with letters already on 'em but them extra drive letters somehow takes the dopeness away lol. thnx
VG
@Lester
Yes. My new laptop is 64-bit. :)
@MYCO8721 and Patrick
Please check the registry trick added at the end. :)
Patrick
thanks VG, i just forgot that registry thing, B)
MYCO8721
hey that registry trick wasnt there earlier.....was it? LOL . sorry vg all this customizing make me lose focus sometimes.. ok most of the time lol. thanks again
VG
^^ No. It was added later after your request. :)
MYCO8721
somehow it doesnt work for my xp but thank u anyways
MYCO
for a few days now i have been trying to figure this out but with no luck. its kinda weird but its only the "hidden drive letters" that it wont apply, the others (letters before and after the name) work just fine. theres gotta be a solution for this but im done thinkin of why or how. so close to pullin all my hair off so im gonna ask for your help once again coz maybe you'd know how or at least know where to start lookin. thanks
MYCO
sorry bout ther other account that was from the other computer at different location. you could or i could delete that other one if multiple accounts isnt allowed. talking bout -> MYCO8721