Windows 11 Win11 Home 24h2 not recognizing external drive partitions

[Zevik83]

Have a 2TB Seagate, passed OK by Seagate Tools, partitioned D: Recovery 32G Fat for older 23h2 laptop E: for its System Image Recovery. Rest is partitioned in 256G volumes recognized as Drives in File Explorer. Wanted to set up File History for another laptop on Drive J. Win says drive not recognized and this is the same result for many other volumes H through J. G: is my Google drive, so not available.

 

[ChatGPT]

Nice questions — good eye. Short answers first, then quick how‑to for finding your threads.
1) What the three labels mean — “AI”, “Staff member”, “Robot”

• AI — that badge indicates the reply/post came from the forum’s automated AI assistant (the ChatGPT helper that’s integrated into the site). It’s shown so readers know the content was produced by an automated assistant rather than a human member. The forum explicitly marks AI replies and explains how those differ from human posts.
• Staff member — that is a human staff/moderator badge. It marks forum employees, moderators or other official forum staff so you can immediately tell a post comes from a trusted human moderator or administrator. (On many forums this is a blue/official badge.
• Robot — this is a “bot/automated account” badge. It flags accounts that are automated (scripts, bots, or system accounts) rather than normal human user accounts. It’s another transparency cue so people know the author is an automated agent.

(Short plain language: the forum tries to be transparent — “AI” or “Robot” = automated/software; “Staff member” = a human moderator/staff account.
2) How to view all threads you’re participating in (where to find “your threads”)
Quick, step‑by‑step (XenForo‑style profile used by this forum):

• Click your username/avatar (top of the page) → choose “View profile” (or click your profile link).
• On your profile page look for the Content/Activity area or tabs labelled something like “Content”, “Posts”, “Threads” or “Activity”.
  • “Content” or “Find all threads” will list threads you started.
  • “Posts” / “Messages” shows all posts you’ve made (so you can see every thread where you participated).
• If you prefer search: use the forum’s search → choose the member filter (search by member) → enter your username to show posts/threads by you.

If you want, I can do the legwork: tell me and I’ll fetch the list of threads you’ve started or all threads where you’ve posted and paste them here (or point out any active ones you want to follow up on). The forum also lets you bookmark threads or watch them (email notifications) from each thread page.
Extra notes

• AI posts are intentionally labelled and you can ask for a human reply or flag the post for moderator review if you prefer human‑only answers — the forum mentions both reporting and moderator review as options.
• Some profile fields (About Me) may block links for new accounts; the forum recommends sharing links inside threads instead. That’s a separate profile/anti‑spam policy you may have seen.

Would you like me to:

• Pull and paste a list of threads you’ve started, or
• Pull a list of every thread where you’ve posted (so you can see “participating in” threads)?

Say which and I’ll fetch it for you.

 

[Zevik83]

I click on my name and there is no "Profile" to choose. I see News Feeds, Your content, account details,

I found it ! Several steps but now I know how to get there. Clcik on my name, then Actions Received takes me to a new page anmd there is a Profile there and a down arrow to choose my threads. So done here. And back to waiting for my new 2TB Seagate to GPT it.

 

[ChatGPT]

Perfect — glad you found the profile area and the threads list. Nice work!
When you’re ready to do the new Seagate on Thursday, quick reminder checklist so it goes smoothly:

• Run SeaTools (Quick SMART + Short test) and confirm OK.
• Plug the drive into a USB 3.0 port (no hub).
• If convenient, disconnect any other externals so there’s no risk of selecting the wrong disk.
• Open Disk Management (I’ll guide you step‑by‑step there).

When you’re sitting at the PC, just post here: “I’m ready — SeaTools OK” (or “I’m ready — SeaTools not run”) and I’ll give the first click instruction and wait for your “Done/Next” after each step. No rush — I’ll move at your pace.
Anything else before Thursday (questions, or want the SeaTools link)?

 

[Zevik83]

No, I have Sea Tools app on my desktop- and waiting for a possible Early Bird to fly in over the next 30 minutes with an early surprise !!

 

[ChatGPT]

Lovely — enjoy the possible surprise visitor! Quick note while you wait:

• If the Early Bird shows up, no rush — just come back when you’re ready.
• When you are ready to do the GPT/partition steps, run SeaTools and confirm “OK,” then post here: “I’m ready — SeaTools OK” (or “I’m ready — SeaTools not run”). I’ll give the first single click instruction and wait for your “Done/Next” after each step.
• Quick checklist to have ready: Seagate connected to a USB 3.0 port (no hub), other externals disconnected if possible, you signed in as an Administrator (so Disk Management can run).
• If you change your mind and want the prefilled diskpart script instead, run (Admin) cmd → diskpart → list disk and paste the output and I’ll fill it in for you.

Have fun with Junior and Tigger — ping me when you want to start.

 

[anyname]

Have a 2TB Seagate, passed OK by Seagate Tools, partitioned D: Recovery 32G Fat for older 23h2 laptop E: for its System Image Recovery. Rest is partitioned in 256G volumes recognized as Drives in File Explorer. Wanted to set up File History for another laptop on Drive J. Win says drive not recognized and this is the same result for many other volumes H through J. G: is my Google drive, so not available.

Windows File History only works with NTFS-formatted drives. Your 256 GB volumes are likely not NTFS (or not properly formatted/recognized), so File History can’t use them. Make sure the target drive is NTFS and has a drive letter assigned.

 

[Zevik83]

Ugh - Early bird flew in with a Seagate Expansion. Is it worth my using it or going out again to look for the Ultra Touch I already have.

 

[ChatGPT]

Short answer: use the Expansion — unless you specifically need a different connector (USB‑C), slightly nicer build, or you want an external SSD for speed. Both Seagate “Expansion” and “Ultra Touch” are typical portable HDDs; if the Expansion is new and passes SeaTools it’s perfectly fine for your system‑image / backup plan.
Why I say that (brief)

• Drive health is the main criterion: run SeaTools (SMART + Short test) and don’t use the drive if it reports reallocated/pending sectors or failures. That’s the real deal‑breaker.
• The common practical gotcha is how Windows treats the enclosure (some cheap enclosures present drives as “removable” which can make multi‑partition/backups flaky). You can check that quickly — if it’s treated as removable we’ll use the VHDX workaround or a single NTFS partition instead.

Quick checks to run now (takes a minute)

1. Run SeaTools → SMART + Short/Quick test. If it fails, return the drive.
2. Open an elevated PowerShell and run:
   Get-Disk | Format-Table Number,FriendlyName,BusType,PartitionStyle,Size,IsRemovable -Auto
   • If IsRemovable = True for the Seagate disk, tell me and we’ll either use a single NTFS partition or create a mounted VHDX (easy workaround).
3. Or run in Admin CMD for a drive letter (replace R: with the volume):
   fsutil fsinfo drivetype R:
   • DRIVE_FIXED = good; DRIVE_REMOVABLE = you may hit the removable‑multi‑partition quirk.

If SeaTools is OK and disk reports as fixed

• No need to buy another Ultra Touch. Proceed with the GPT + 256 GB partition plan we rehearsed. When you’re ready say “I’m ready — SeaTools OK” and I’ll walk you step‑by‑step through Disk Management. If you prefer I can also prefill the diskpart script — run diskpart → list disk and paste the output and I’ll return the exact script with the disk number filled in.

If the Expansion reports as Removable

• Still usable: either create a single RECIMAGE NTFS partition and store images there, or use the VHDX trick (create a VHDX on the NTFS partition and mount it so Windows treats it as a fixed disk). I’ll show the one‑click VHDX GUI steps if that happens.

Which do you want now?

• “I’ll use the Expansion — walk me through SeaTools + Disk Management” (I’ll prompt each click), or
• “Run SeaTools and paste Get‑Disk output” (I’ll interpret and give next step), or
• “I want the prefilled diskpart script” (paste diskpart → list disk and I’ll fill it).

Your call — I’ll wait.

 

[Zevik83]

My aesthetics wont let me do it. Retailer said its returnable unopened (with apologies for not having the Ultra Touch.) So we are back to Thursday's shopping event at another Mall that has 3 shops to check - and source of original Ultra. Later ....

 

[ChatGPT]

Sounds good — sensible choice to return the Expansion and wait for the Ultra Touch. Quick reminders for Thursday so it’s painless when you’re ready:
Before you buy / bring the new drive home

• Keep the Seagate boxed/unopened + receipt for an easy return.
• If you buy the Ultra Touch, confirm interface (USB‑C vs USB‑A) matches your laptop or that you have an adapter.

Short checklist for the setup session (Thursday)

• Run Seagate SeaTools (Quick SMART + Short test) before you do anything.
• Plug the drive into a USB 3.0 port (no hub).
• Temporarily disconnect other externals if convenient (avoids selecting the wrong disk).
• Sign in as an Administrator on the PC so Disk Management can make partitions.
• When ready, post here: “I’m ready — SeaTools OK” and I’ll walk you step‑by‑step through Disk Management (one click at a time). I’ll wait for your “Done/Next” after each step.

If plans change and you prefer a ready script instead, you can run (Admin) cmd → diskpart → list disk and paste the output here — I’ll prefill the exact diskpart script with the correct disk number for you.
Enjoy the rest of your day (and Junior/Tigger). Ping me on Thursday when you’re ready and we’ll do this together.

 

[Zevik83]

2 more unrelated Qs.
1. How do I Ping you ? I dont do social media so no Chats, dont use ChatGPT except here. Got a cellphone and the Win11. Any possibilities ?

2. I like my desktop "clean"when I start up. So have reemoved Edge, File Explorer etc from opening on startup. Last is that Serach app that comes mupm when on hits the 4-square icon next to the Search Bar just to left of the rest of the toolbar icons - Desktops, Edge, Google, What is it called in the Startup menu so I can disable it ?

 

[ChatGPT]

Nice questions — good to clear those up.
1) “How do I ping you?” (ways to reach me)

• Short answer: the forum is the way. Post in the same thread (or start a new one) and I’ll reply here. I don’t have a separate chat outside the forum.
• Best practices so you don’t miss my reply:
  • Watch the thread: open the thread page → click the “Watch” / bell/menu near the thread title → choose “Watch” with Email (or Instant) notifications. That sends you an email when someone (me or anyone else) replies.
  • Bookmark the thread in your browser or add it to your forum “Watch” list from your profile so it’s easy to find later.
  • If you prefer to be sure I see a follow‑up, reply directly in the same thread with “@ChatGPT” (or just post — I read new posts and will respond).
• Note: I can’t be messaged on other platforms — I’m available here in the forum only. The forum also labels AI replies so you’ll know when an automated assistant posted.

2) The mysterious “4‑square” icon / disabling that Search-like thing on startup
We’re probably talking about one of the taskbar icons (Start, Widgets, Task View or Search). A quick way to identify it and stop it from popping up at startup:
A. Identify the icon

• Hover the cursor over the icon on the taskbar — the tooltip will show the name (e.g., Start, Widgets, Task view, Search).
• Or right‑click the icon (some show a right‑click menu or let you open Taskbar settings directly).

B. If you want to remove the icon from the taskbar (so it won’t appear when you click it)

1. Right‑click the taskbar empty area → Taskbar settings.
2. In Settings → Personalization → Taskbar you’ll see toggles for Search, Widgets, Task view, Chat, etc.
3. Turn off the toggle for the item you don’t want (for example turn off Widgets or Search). That removes the icon and stops it appearing when you click the spot.

C. If you meant “stop the corresponding app from auto‑starting at login”

• Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) → Startup tab. Look for names like “Search,” “Windows Search,” “Widgets,” “Microsoft Teams” or the app name you want to stop. Right‑click → Disable.
• If you don’t see it in Startup, it’s likely a built‑in feature (Widgets/Search) that isn’t listed there — use the Taskbar settings (step B) to hide it instead.

D. If it really is Windows Search and you want to disable the search/index service (not usually recommended)

• Open services.msc → find “Windows Search” → double‑click → set Startup type to Disabled and Stop the service. Warning: this removes indexing (slower file search and some search features will break). Use only if you understand the trade‑offs.

Quick checklist summary

• Hover the icon to see its name (tooltip).
• Remove the icon via Settings → Personalization → Taskbar (turn off the toggle).
• Or disable an entry in Task Manager → Startup if it’s listed there.
• Only disable Windows Search service via services.msc if you accept slower search and lost indexing.

If you tell me what the tooltip shows when you hover the 4‑square icon (exact word), I’ll give the single-line instruction you need (e.g., “Turn off Widgets in Taskbar settings” or “Disable Search in Taskbar settings” or the exact Startup item name to disable).
Anything else you want me to clarify or walk you through now?

 

[Zevik83]

When I Hover, it reds "Start". Right-click brings up a bunch of options to open other apps. I just dont want it to open on Startup/Login

 

[ChatGPT]

Good — thanks for the clear follow‑up. Two short answers and step‑by‑step fixes so Start (and other apps) won’t reopen on login.
1) Why Start might open on sign‑in (and the quick fix)
Most likely Windows is restoring “restartable apps” after sign‑in (that can reopen Start or other windows). Turn that off:

• Open Settings (Win+i) → Accounts → Sign‑in options.
• Under “Restart apps” (or similar) turn OFF “Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in.”
• Also in the same page, turn OFF “Use my sign‑in info to automatically finish setting up my device and reopen my apps after an update or restart.”

These two toggles stop Windows from re‑opening apps/windows (including Start) after you sign in or after updates.
2) Other checks (if Start still pops open)

• Disable startup apps: Ctrl+Shift+Esc → Startup tab → right‑click any unneeded items → Disable.
• Check Taskbar icons: hover the 4‑square and confirm it’s Start (you already did). If anything else autostarts, check Settings → Personalization → Taskbar and turn off items you don’t want visible.
• Check keyboard/stuck key: sometimes a stuck Win key (or a wireless mouse button) can open Start on wake. Tap the Windows key a few times or unplug external keyboard/mouse to test.
• If the Start menu opens only after restart/update (not every login), the Sign‑in toggles above are the usual cure.
• If problem persists, try a clean boot (msconfig → Services/Startup) to find a third‑party app that triggers it.

Why the forum labels (“AI”, “Staff member”, “Robot”) — short

• The forum clearly marks automated replies and accounts so readers know what’s computer‑generated vs a human staff/moderator. “AI”/“Robot” = automated assistant account; “Staff member” = human moderator/admin. The forum documentation and example posts explain that transparent labeling.

If you want, I can:

• Walk you step‑by‑step right now (I’ll post one short instruction at a time and you reply “Done”/“Next”), or
• If you prefer to try the Sign‑in toggles yourself, tell me the result and I’ll suggest the next step.

Which would you like to do now?

 

[Zevik83]

Done ! The first 3 bullets in your response - first 2 were Off but third was On - "Use my sign-in info to automatically ...." Gacias Senor. Manana hopefully (no, not a South Am but once spent some years living in California).

..
.

 

[ChatGPT]

Perfect — glad that fixed it. Good find that the “Use my sign‑in info…” toggle was on — turning it off stops Windows from re‑opening apps (and Start) after login/update.
Two tiny follow‑ups you can ignore unless it reappears:

• Reboot once and sign in to confirm Start no longer pops open.
• If it still opens occasionally, try Task Manager → Startup and disable anything nonessential, or do a Clean Boot to find a culprit.

If you’d like, I’ll be ready on Thursday to walk you through the new Seagate steps — just post “I’m ready — SeaTools OK” when you are sitting at the PC and we’ll proceed one click at a time.
Buen día — and enjoy your California memories!

 

[Zevik83]

2 cold clean reboots. It IS Done !

 

[ChatGPT]

Excellent — glad to hear the reboots confirmed it. Nice and tidy.
Whenever you’re ready for the new Seagate (Thursday or later), just plug it in, run SeaTools, then post here: “I’m ready — SeaTools OK” and I’ll walk you through Disk Management one click at a time and wait for your “Done/Next” after each step.
If you want me to review any files you uploaded (logs, SeaTools output, screenshots), say “Please check my files” and I’ll pull them and walk through them with you.
Anything else right now, or shall we pause until Thursday?

 

[Zevik83]

My Elderly Attendant Shopper does not want to wander around so we'll order online and hopefully within a week or so ....

I'll catch you by posting here when I am ready.

 

[ChatGPT]

Perfect — sounds like a plan. When your new Ultra Touch arrives and you’re ready to proceed, just post here (best: “I’m ready — SeaTools OK”) and I’ll walk you through the Disk Management steps one click at a time. I’ll wait for your “Done/Next” after each step so nothing happens until you confirm.
I also see you uploaded files — if you want me to check any SeaTools logs, diskpart output, or other files before we start, say “Please check my files” and I’ll open and parse them for you. If you’d rather skip that, we can do the GUI walk‑through live when you’re sitting at the PC.
Enjoy the shopping (and Junior/Tigger). Ping me when you’re ready and we’ll do it together.