How can I change the drive letter of my Windows system volume?

[Robert Colgan]

I was doing a fresh install of Windows XP on my laptop, and I
accidentally left my flash drive in the computer. Now, my system
volume, which I want to be C:, is F:. I tried to change this using
Disk Management, but it says "Windows cannot modify the drive letter
of your system volume or boot volume." Is there some other way to do
this? I have the Windows install CD and a PartedMagic CD -- can I use
either of those to fix it?

 

[Big Al]

I was doing a fresh install of Windows XP on my laptop, and I
accidentally left my flash drive in the computer. Now, my system
volume, which I want to be C:, is F:. I tried to change this using
Disk Management, but it says "Windows cannot modify the drive letter
of your system volume or boot volume." Is there some other way to do
this? I have the Windows install CD and a PartedMagic CD -- can I use
either of those to fix it?

Since everything on your F: drive like windows with registry entries and
software etc are all configured for F:/..../.../.. folder paths, I'd
seriously doubt you can get much done.

Read: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/223188

 

[John John (MVP)]

I was doing a fresh install of Windows XP on my laptop, and I
accidentally left my flash drive in the computer. Now, my system
volume, which I want to be C:, is F:. I tried to change this using
Disk Management, but it says "Windows cannot modify the drive letter
of your system volume or boot volume." Is there some other way to do
this? I have the Windows install CD and a PartedMagic CD -- can I use
either of those to fix it?

You can't, the Windows boot volume must alway retain the drive letter
assignment onto which it was installed. The only way to change the
drive letter is by reinstalling Windows.

John

 

[John John (MVP)]

Since everything on your F: drive like windows with registry entries and
software etc are all configured for F:/..../.../.. folder paths, I'd
seriously doubt you can get much done.

Read: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/223188

That article is only to be used to restore a drive letter to its
original assignment, it is not to be used to change the drive letter
onto which Windows was installed. As you correctly pointed out, the
Registry is full of pointers and references to the drive letter used at
installation time and changing the drive letter will break the Windows
installation.

John

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I was doing a fresh install of Windows XP on my laptop, and I
accidentally left my flash drive in the computer. Now, my system
volume, which I want to be C:, is F:. I tried to change this using
Disk Management, but it says "Windows cannot modify the drive letter
of your system volume or boot volume." Is there some other way to do
this? I have the Windows install CD and a PartedMagic CD -- can I use
either of those to fix it?

The reliable way to do this is to start over and do it correctly, paying
close attention to the drive letter designation during the clean install.

You aren't nearly the first person to "accidentally" do this, and it's
better to just fix it properly now.

HTH
-pk

 

[Robert Colgan]

The reliable way to do this is to start over and do it correctly, paying
close attention to the drive letter designation during the clean install.

You aren't nearly the first person to "accidentally" do this, and it's
better to just fix it properly now.

HTH
-pk

Thanks; I just did it over.

 

[Big Al]

That article is only to be used to restore a drive letter to its
original assignment, it is not to be used to change the drive letter
onto which Windows was installed. As you correctly pointed out, the
Registry is full of pointers and references to the drive letter used at
installation time and changing the drive letter will break the Windows
installation.

John

Yes, I read that. I wanted the OP to see that there is only one
possibly way/reason to do what he wants to do.