Access to EFI Partition

After the latest windows update, when I open file explorer, three extra drives were added besides the c drive. Winretool partition was assigned y drive, PBR partition was assigned x drive and ESP (efi system partition) was assigned e drive.

I was able to remove the y and x drives and they disappeared from file explorer. But the drive with the efi partition won't let me access it. It says that I have to go to security tab to access. When I go to properties, there is no security tab. Since the partition is fat32, I'm guessing I can't access the normal way. I've had this problem before but I can't remember the efi boot partition being one of them.

Any suggestions as to accessing the partition to remove the e drive tag?

RichardC said:

After the latest windows update, when I open file explorer, three extra drives were added besides the c drive. Winretool partition was assigned y drive, PBR partition was assigned x drive and ESP (efi system partition) was assigned e drive.

I was able to remove the y and x drives and they disappeared from file explorer. But the drive with the efi partition won't let me access it. It says that I have to go to security tab to access. When I go to properties, there is no security tab. Since the partition is fat32, I'm guessing I can't access the normal way. I've had this problem before but I can't remember the efi boot partition being one of them.

Any suggestions as to accessing the partition to remove the e drive tag?

Hi there

@RichardC

I think you can just un-assign it with diskpart (command mode)

DISKPART
LIST VOLUME
ASSIGN <letter name> -R
EXIT

(space between letter name and the '-R' parameter).


Too many people seem scared of using the command line these days !!!!


Cheers
jimbo

1) Open disk management > by default some columns are compressed > widen each Status and Volume > make sure the contents within the parenthesis are in full view and that none of the characters are cutoff > view disk 0 > widen this row as needed so that all of the characters are in full view > post an image into the thread
Disk Management - How to Post a Screenshot of

2) Download and install Minitool Partition Wizard > post an image of the results into this thread
MiniTool Partition Wizard Free Edition - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download.com

I've include 4 screenshots. As you can see windows disk management only shows c drive. Partition Wizard shows both c and e. File explorer shows c and d. Macrium Reflect shows all 4 drives: partitions 1,4, 5 and 7. The partition with the letter e is a boot partition. I've never had a problem with it before. Cmd prompt says that boot partitions can't be assigned a letter.

Thanks Tomcat and Zbook. I downloaded minitool partition wizard and it worked perfectly. I've been using Macrorit Partition Expert for quite a while with no problems. I've changed drive letters with it before, but it just wouldn't work this time. Don't know why but thanks again to both of you.

Nice.

Your welcome.