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Knowledge Base > Operating Systems > Windows > NT/2K/XP/2003 > How to Alter or Remove Drive Letters in Windows 2000/XP/2003


Note: If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7/8.x/10 refer to the following KB article:
How to Alter or Remove Drive Letters in Windows Vista or Windows 7/8.x/10


Using the TBOSDT setwindl.tbs Script

The TBOSDT setwindl.tbs script provides an easy way add, change, or remove drive letter assignments for Windows installations. The script can be run from any supported TBOSDT environment, including Windows, BootIt BM, Image for Linux, etc.

  1. Run the setwindl.tbs script.
  2. Select the desired Windows installation from the list (there will be a warning if you select the running Windows system).
  3. Select the partition. Its current assignment will be shown if it has one.
  4. Select the drive letter to assign to the partition or select the current assignment to remove it.
  5. Follow the prompts to complete the operation.


Using Windows Disk Management

From Windows, do the following:

  1. Open the Control Panel.
  2. Double-click on Administrative Tools.
  3. Double-click on Computer Management.
  4. Click on Disk Management in the left window pane.
  5. In the right window pane, right-click on the drive letter (partition or volume) you want to change.
  6. Click on Change Drive Letter and Paths...
  7. Click the Add..., Change..., or Remove button, depending on the desired action needed.


Using BootIt BM

If you are using BootIt BM with the Limit Primaries option disabled and you wish to remove the drive letter for a partition you can simply clear the MBR slot in the appropriate Boot Item. The partition will then not be loaded into the MBR and Windows will not assign a letter. Otherwise, any partitions or volumes that were not hidden at any time you booted Windows 2000/XP/2003, those same partitions and volumes can't be hidden again (setting the partition to a hidden state will not prevent Windows from seeing it). An alternative to removing the drive letter assignment using one of the other methods in this article is to use Clear Sig option (found in Partition Work and then View MBR). Clearing the drive signature will cause Windows to reassign all partitions it sees on it (hidden partitions won't be assigned). Note that this method should be used with care since it may affect partitions in addition to the target partition.

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