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After updating to Windows 11, many users notice that their newly created partitions do not appear in File Explorer. This can be confusing and frustrating, especially if you need to access or manage your new storage space right away.

Fortunately, this issue is usually simple to fix. It often involves checking the disk management settings or assigning drive letters manually.

In this guide, we will walk you through easy, step-by-step solutions to help your new partitions show up properly after a Windows 11 update.

By following these instructions carefully, you can quickly regain access to your partitions without needing technical expertise.

Quick Note Before You Begin

• Make sure your new partition is properly created and formatted. Without formatting, Windows will not recognize the partition.
• Check that the external drive or disk is connected correctly if applicable.
• Ensure you are logged into Windows with administrator privileges, as some fixes require admin rights.
• Back up any important data before making changes to disk partitions to avoid accidental loss.

Step 1: Open Disk Management to Check Your Partition

Disk Management is a built-in Windows tool that shows all connected drives and their partitions. Sometimes new partitions exist but do not have drive letters assigned, so they won’t appear in File Explorer.

1. Press Win + X on your keyboard.
2. Select Disk Management from the menu that appears.
3. In the Disk Management window, look for your new partition. It should appear as a block on a disk, often labeled as Unallocated or without a drive letter.

If you see your partition but it does not have a drive letter, this is likely why it’s missing from File Explorer.

Step 2: Assign a Drive Letter to the New Partition

Assigning a drive letter tells Windows to display the partition in File Explorer. Here’s how to do it:

1. In Disk Management, right-click the new partition that is not showing.
2. Select Change Drive Letter and Paths…
3. Click Add if there is no letter assigned.
4. Choose a drive letter from the dropdown list. It’s best to pick a letter that is not already in use.
5. Click OK to save the changes.

After assigning a letter, check File Explorer. The partition should now be visible and accessible.

Step 3: Format the Partition if It Shows as Unallocated

If your new partition shows as Unallocated in Disk Management, it means it has not been formatted yet. Windows cannot use unformatted partitions.

1. Right-click the Unallocated space in Disk Management.
2. Select New Simple Volume…
3. Follow the wizard to set the size of the partition (use the default to use all unallocated space).
4. Assign a drive letter when prompted.
5. Choose the file system (select NTFS for most uses).
6. Click Finish to format the partition.

Once formatting is complete, the partition should appear in File Explorer.

Step 4: Rescan Disks to Refresh Disk Management

Sometimes, Disk Management does not immediately detect new partitions after an update or hardware change. You can force it to refresh:

1. Open Disk Management.
2. Click on the Action menu at the top.
3. Select Rescan Disks.

This will prompt Windows to check for new disks and partitions again, which may help in recognizing your new partition.

Alternative Method: Use Command Prompt to Assign Drive Letters

If Disk Management doesn’t work as expected, you can use the Command Prompt to assign a drive letter.

1. Press Win + S and type cmd.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. Type diskpart and press Enter.
4. Type list volume and press Enter to see all volumes.
5. Find your new partition’s volume number from the list.
6. Type select volume X (replace X with your volume number) and press Enter.
7. Type assign letter=Y (replace Y with the drive letter you want to assign) and press Enter.
8. Type exit to close Diskpart and again to close Command Prompt.

Check File Explorer again to confirm your partition is now visible.

FAQs

Why is my new partition not showing in File Explorer after the update?

It’s usually because the partition does not have a drive letter assigned or is not formatted. Windows 11 update can sometimes reset these settings.

Can I lose data by assigning a drive letter?

No, assigning or changing a drive letter does not erase data. However, formatting the partition will delete all data on it, so only format if the partition is new or empty.

What if Disk Management does not detect my new partition at all?

This may indicate a hardware issue, connection problem, or the disk not being initialized. Try reconnecting the drive or checking the disk status in Device Manager.

Is it safe to use Command Prompt to assign drive letters?

Yes, if you follow the instructions carefully. Using Diskpart is a powerful but safe method to manage disks when used correctly.

Do I need to reinstall Windows to fix partition issues?

No, reinstalling Windows is not necessary for this problem. The issue is usually related to drive letter assignment or formatting, which can be fixed without reinstalling.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and your new partition still does not show, consider these final options:

• Check Disk Health: Use tools like chkdsk or third-party disk utilities to verify the disk is not damaged.
• Update Disk Drivers: Go to Device Manager > Disk Drives and update the drivers.
• Contact Microsoft Support: Visit the official Microsoft Support for professional assistance.
• Use Third-Party Partition Software: Programs like MiniTool Partition Wizard or EaseUS Partition Master can sometimes detect and fix partition issues more effectively.

Conclusion

New partitions not showing after a Windows 11 update is a common and fixable problem. Most often, it happens because the partition lacks a drive letter or is unformatted. By using Disk Management or Command Prompt, you can easily assign drive letters or format partitions so they become visible in File Explorer.

Always start with the simplest steps like checking Disk Management and assigning drive letters before moving to more advanced options. Remember to back up your data and proceed carefully.

With these clear, step-by-step solutions, you should be able to access your new partitions quickly and continue using your Windows 11 system without interruption.