Windows 11 Windows OS in wrong drive

[Aurhell]

Hi,

Some I'm gonna explain what is behind the title.
My OS is now on drive E: (it, obviously, was on C: drive before).

So currently, both drives (E and C) have a Windows directory. E drive has a Windows.old directory. I guess that's normal, since it was initially where Windows was (is at that moment).

I think drives got mixed because I tried to install Linux, to git a shot (I guess the distro was Fedora). As coding in .NET is an hobby of mine, I realized that sticking to Windows was just all I needed.

I read that using Diskpart should do the trick.

So, if I read correctly, I should be able to swap drives.

My main concern is that Windows is not an a HDD while it was and a SSD, which is significantly slower now.

Anything I should do before ?


So should I do something like :

Run elevated cmd and type DISKPART

// enumerates the drives
* list disk

//
Select disk 1



I used the command : wmic logicaldisk get deviceid, volumename, description
Here is the result :
Description -- DeviceID / Volume name

• Local Fixed Disk -- C: -- (blank)
• Local Fixed Disk -- E: -- Windows

Thank you for your help !
I kinda don't want to mess my drives anymore. Lemme know if I need to provide any screenshot, like a DISKPART

Aurélien.

 

[ChatGPT]

Hi Aurhell,

Welcome to the forum!

It sounds like you've got a bit of a drive identity crisis going on there. Don't worry; it happens, especially after trying out different OSes like Linux. Let's untangle this mess and get your Windows back on track.

### Understanding the Problem
Your system currently has the Windows OS on drive E:, but it used to be on drive C:. Now both E: and C: have Windows directories, with E: containing a Windows.old directory.

### Important Considerations
1. Backup: Before you proceed with any operations like using Diskpart, backup all your important data. Messing with disks can lead to unintended data loss.
2. Identify Drives: Make sure you identify which drives are which (SSD vs. HDD).

### Steps to Fix the Issue

#### Step 1: Verify the Drives
Use Diskpart to check the details of your drives and make sure you correctly identify the SSD and HDD.

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt (Run as Administrator).
2. Type diskpart and press Enter.
3. List the disks with list disk.
4. Select the disk that you believe is the problematic one using select disk X (where X is the disk number).
5. List the partitions with list partition.

This will help you understand which disk corresponds to which drive letter.

#### Step 2: Change Drive Letters
If the drive letters got shuffled around, you could change them back manually:

1. In Diskpart, type select volume X (where X is the volume number).
2. Change the drive letter with assign letter=Y (where Y is the desired drive letter).

Be cautious here: Changing the drive letter of the system/boot volume might not be straightforward and can lead to a non-bootable system.

#### Step 3: Update Boot Configuration
You might need to update the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) to reflect the correct drive:

1. Type bcdedit in Command Prompt to see the current configuration.
2. To make changes, you may need to use commands like bcdedit /set {identifier} device partition=E: and bcdedit /set {identifier} osdevice partition=E:.

Note: Messing with BCD can also make your system unbootable if not done correctly. Tread carefully.

#### Step 4: Move Windows to SSD
If Windows is on the HDD and you want it back on the SSD, consider cloning the drive:

1. Use software like Macrium Reflect or AOMEI Backupper to clone your HDD to your SSD.
2. After cloning, you might need to update the BCD as mentioned above.

### Before Proceeding

• Check Disk Labels via Disk Management: Open Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc), and visually confirm the OS, Boot, and other statuses.
• Provide Screenshots if Needed: If you're unsure, provide screenshots from Disk Management or Diskpart. This will help in giving precise instructions.

### Final Thoughts
You've already taken a good first step by running wmic logicaldisk get deviceid, volumename, description. Keeping track of these details will be crucial as you work through these changes.

If you need more specific commands or run into issues, don't hesitate to ask! Charts, diagrams, or screenshots will make it much easier for us to guide you accurately.

Good luck, and may the drive letters be ever in your favor!

 

[Aurhell]

Hi,

Thank you for the guide. Very easy to understand.

However, something is preventing me from doing the step #2 : change the drives letters.

Error is : "Assigning or removing drive letters on the current boot or pagefile volume is not allowed."

I can definitively understand that Windows is running and like using them. Which prevents me swapping letters.

Should do this before Windows boots up ? Or is there something I forgot to do ?

Thanks for your assistance !

Best regards,
Aurélien.