Windows 10: HDD Detected but can't be opened by File Explorer

My laptop detects my HDD external had drive, but cannot open it. When I try to, File Explorer crasher and a small window opens that reads: "F:\ is not accessible. The parameter is incorrect". I have tried different cables and different computers and it says the same thing.

:)

 

Unable to open Western Digital 320GB hard drive in File explorer to format on Windows 10.

Hello Yancy,



Thank you for posting on Microsoft Community. We regret the inconvenience caused and will assist you in resolving the issue.



Before assisting further, I would like to ask you few questions:

• Is Western Digital 320GB an external or internal hard drive?
• Does the drive show in Disk management?
• Does other external drives get detected and show in File explorer on the PC?

You might be facing the above issue due to the unallocated letter for the drive. Unallocated drives are those whose drive letters are not allocated when initially partitioned or after formatting. You will be able to view the drive on your PC if you
have allocated a drive name for the partition created. The drive will not be visible on the PC if you do not allocate a drive letter or a drive name.



Method 1: Check if the drive is shown in
File Explorer. If the drive is not shown in the File Explorer, allocate a drive letter to the HDD by following the steps below and check if the issue is resolved.

• Connect the HDD to the PC, press Windows logo + X keys on the keyboard and select
  Disk management option from the context menu. Check if the drive is visible in the window.
• If visible, right click on the Unallocated disk drive and select
  New Simple Volume option. Follow the onscreen instructions where in the process you will get to a window where you can allocate a drive name for the HDD.
• After allocating a drive letter, right click on the drive and select
  Open. Check if you are able to open the drive in File Explorer.

Method 2: If the issue persists, follow the steps below to check if the contents of the external HDD drive can be accessed:

• Connect the HDD to the PC, press Windows logo + X keys on the keyboard and select
  Disk management from the context menu.
• Check if the HDD is visible in the window (It should show if the drive is detected under Device manager).
• If visible, right click on the drive and select Open from the context menu.
• Check if the contents will open in the File Explorer window.
• If the HDD fails to open in File Explorer, I suggest you to format the drive in the same window by choosing
  Format option form the context menu on right clicking on the drive.
• Close the windows and check if the changes are effective.

Write to us with the answers to the above questions and the status of the issue on the same post for further assistance. Your reply is most important for us to ensure we assist you accordingly.



Thank you.

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

File explorer will not open on windows 10

In this case, it's possible that the File Explorer is set to open an incorrect/corrupted file location. To rule out folder path related issues, we suggest that you follow the steps below:

• Type Control Panel in the search box. From the search result, click
  Control Panel.
• Select Small icons from the View by: drop-down list located on the top right side of the window.
• Select File Explorer Options.
• Under the General tab, select This
  PC from the Open File Explorer to: drop-down list.
• Click OK.

Once you're done, open File Explorer again and check if the issue persists.

Feel free to post back if you encounter any challenges along the process.