How to Mount or Dismount a Drive

Overview

Mounting a drive is an advanced disk management method that allows you to extend the storage capacity of a drive or partition. This is usually used in environments where a drive is shared between multiple users. Mounted drives has an advantage over shortcuts since you can move mounted drives without the need to update the folder path.

For example, you store your personal files in the main disk (C:\Personal Files) but its running low on space. You have a separate drive (E:\) that has extra space. You can create an empty folder in C:\Personal Files, let’s say Folder 1 for example, then mount drive E:\ to that folder.

Notes:

• This method requires administrator access to complete.


• File system must be NTFS


• The Recycle Bin doesn’t recognize mounted drives so deleting files stored on mounted drives will give you an error. You have to bypass recycle bin by pressing SHIFT + DELETE. Be careful since this permanently deletes the file.

Mount a Drive

1. Click the orb or Start button in the lower left corner of the taskbar, then select Control Panel.



2. If you’re viewing the Control Panel in Category View, select System and Security then select Administrative Tools.






3. If you’re viewing via large or small icons, select Administrative Tools






4. In the Administrative Tools window, select Computer Management then Disk Management.









5. Right-click on the drive that you want to mount then select Change Drive Letter and Path.






6. Select Add then click Mount in the following empty NTFS folder and browse the folder where you want the drive to be mounted on.






7. Click okay twice.

How to Remove a Mounted Drive

1. Click the orb or Start button in the lower left corner of the taskbar, then select Control Panel.



2. If you’re viewing the Control Panel in Category View, select System and Security then select Administrative Tools.






3. If you’re viewing via large or small icons, select Administrative Tools






4. In the Administrative Tools window, select Computer Management then Disk Management.









5. Right-click on the drive that you want to mount then select Change Drive Letter and Path.






6. Click Remove then Yes.