Opening a USB flash drive on Windows 10 is usually as simple as plugging it in and clicking it in File Explorer. When it doesn’t show up, the cause is often a missing drive letter, a loose connection, or a drive that needs repair. This guide covers opening the drive, safely removing it, and fixing a USB drive that Windows doesn’t recognize.
Quick Answer
Plug the USB drive into a USB port. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer, click This PC, and double-click the drive (usually named USB Drive or the drive’s brand, with a letter like E: or F:) under Devices and drives.
How to Open a USB Drive
- Insert the USB drive into a port on your PC. Try a port directly on the computer rather than a hub.
- If a notification appears, click it and choose Open folder to view files.
- Otherwise, press Windows + E, click This PC in the left pane, and double-click the USB drive.
- You can also click the drive directly in the left pane under This PC.
To make Windows always open the folder automatically, go to Settings > Devices > AutoPlay and set Removable drive to Open folder to view files (File Explorer).
Copy Files To or From the Drive
- Drag files between the USB window and another folder. Dragging to a different drive copies files.
- Or right-click a file and choose Send to > USB Drive.
Safely Remove the USB Drive
- Close any files open from the drive.
- Click the ^ in the taskbar’s notification area, then the USB icon, and choose Eject for your drive. Or right-click the drive in This PC and choose Eject.
- Wait for Safe to Remove Hardware, then unplug it.
USB Drive Not Showing Up? Try These Fixes
1. Check the connection
Try another USB port and another computer. If a light on the drive doesn’t come on, it may be faulty.
2. Assign a drive letter
- Right-click Start and choose Disk Management.
- Find the USB drive (look for Removable and its size).
- If it has no letter, right-click its volume, choose Change Drive Letter and Paths > Add, pick a letter, and click OK.
3. Check Device Manager
- Right-click Start > Device Manager.
- Expand Disk drives and Universal Serial Bus controllers. Look for a yellow warning icon.
- Right-click the USB drive and choose Uninstall device, then unplug and reconnect it so Windows reinstalls it.
4. Repair file system errors
If Windows says the drive needs to be scanned and fixed, right-click it in This PC > Properties > Tools > Check.
5. “You need to format the disk” message
Don’t format yet if the drive has files you need; formatting erases everything. The drive may be damaged or use a format Windows can’t read (such as a Mac drive). Try data recovery software or the original device first. If the files don’t matter, click Format, choose exFAT for compatibility with Mac and most devices, and click Start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my USB drive show a different name?
The name is the drive’s volume label. Right-click it in This PC and choose Rename to change it.
Can I open a USB drive on Windows 10 S mode?
Yes. You can view and copy files, but you can’t run programs from the drive unless they’re Microsoft Store apps.
Is it safe to unplug without ejecting?
Windows 10 uses Quick removal by default, so it’s usually fine when nothing is being copied. Ejecting first is safest.
Summary
- Plug in the drive and open This PC (Windows + E).
- Double-click the USB drive to view its files.
- Eject before unplugging.
- If it doesn’t appear, try another port, assign a drive letter, or reinstall it in Device Manager.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.