How can I see all drives available on my computer?

Question

How can I see all drives available on my computer?

Answer

Microsoft Windows users
MS-DOS and Windows command line users
Linux users
Apple Mac OS X users

Microsoft Windows users

Microsoft Windows users can identify what drives Windows has detected by opening My Computer or pressing the Windows key + E. In the picture to the right, is an example of what My Computer may look like. As can be seen in this example, three different drive types are listed.

3 1/2 Floppy (A:)

If the computer has a floppy disk drive, this drive will be visible. If any floppy diskette is in the computer and the A: drive is opened its contents will be shown.

Local Disk (C:), New Volume (D:), and New Volume (E:)

Next, in this example, the C:, D: and E: are all hard drives or partitions installed on this computer. Often most computers will only have a C: drive. The hard drive is the primary location of where all files are stored on your computer.

Compact Disc (F:)

Finally, the F: drive in this example is the optical disc drive installed in the computer. In almost every situation, the disc drive will be the last drive letter. If a disc is in the drive, the contents of that disc will be shown if you double-click the drive icon.

Windows 3.x users

Windows 3.0, 3.1, and 3.11 users can open drives through the Windows File Manager. Within the File Manager, click the drive icons shown above the folder and files. By default, the C: drive will be open, if you wish to move to the floppy disk drive click the A: drive icon, or click the D or the CD-ROM drive icon if you wish to open the CD drive.

MS-DOS and Windows command line users

Windows Vista and 7 command line users

If you're using Windows Vista or 7, use the wmic command at the command line to view available drives on the computer. At the prompt, type the below command.

wmic logicaldisk get name

• See the wmic command page for further information and examples on this command.

Other Windows command line and MS-DOS version users

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to list all available drives on the computer through the MS-DOS prompt with one command. Below are different recommendations for viewing drives.

Change drive letter

Change the drive to an alternate drive letter to determine if a drive is available and ready if no error message is received.

Fdisk

If you're running a version of MS-DOS or Windows that supports fdisk, running the fdisk command will allow you to view how the hard drives are setup and configured on the computer.

• See the fdisk command page for additional information about this command.

vol

Running the vol command on a drive will display the drives label and serial number if available. This command will allow you to see what drives are detected.

• See the vol command page for additional information and help with this command.

Linux users

Linux users can use the fdisk command to see their partition and drive information.

Apple Mac OS X users

From the Menu bar select Go and select Computer or press Shift + Command + C.

Additional information

• See the drive definition for further information and related links.