However, an HP support representative shed light on what the Z: partition is. On a forum, he stated: So the Z: drive is usually a hidden partition. Its appearance on some Windows 10 desktops and laptops is due to a system bug. As the HP representative stated, drive Z: isn’t something users really need to fix. Yet, there are a few ways users can remove the Z: drive. That doesn’t mean deleting the drive, but merely removing the partition so that it doesn’t appear in Explorer. This is how users can remove the Z: drive in Windows 10.

There are three ways to remove the Z: drive

Method 1: Edit the Registry

Some users have confirmed that adding new NoDrive DWORDs (or QWORDs) to the registry gets rid of drive Z: in File Explorer. However, some might prefer to set up a System Restore point before editing the registry as an extra precaution. Using the Registry Editor is the safest way to remove system Z drive on Windows 10. To do that, open Run with the Windows key + R hotkey, enter ‘systempropertiesadvanced’ in the text box, and click the OK button. Click Create on the System Protection tab to set up the restore point. Then follow the guidelines below to edit the registry.           — RELATED: 5 best driver removal tools to make sure everything gets deleted SPONSORED

Method 2: Roll Back Windows 10 to a Restore Point

A few users have stated on forums that they’ve removed drive Z: by rolling Windows 10 back to a previous date. System Restore is the utility that rolls Windows 10 back to an earlier date. Note that rolling Windows back to a restore point will also remove software installed after the selected date and undo other system changes.     — RELATED: 5 best backup software for external hard drives [2019 LIST]

Method 3: Update Windows 10

Some users have also stated that updating Windows 10 removes the Z: drive. Drive Z: can appear when updates have not completely installed. Thus, checking for Win 10 updates to see if there are any updates waiting to finish might remove the Z: drive.     The Settings Windows Update window also lists pending updates. You might need to restart the platform to complete their installation. In some instances, pending updates might be stuck. If so, check out the Windows Update troubleshooter by entering ‘troubleshoot’ in Cortana’s search box and clicking Troubleshoot. Then select Windows Update and press its Run the troubleshooter button to fix the pending updates. Those are a few resolutions that might get rid of drive Z: and ensure it never reappears in File Explorer. Then drive Z: will be a hidden restore partition again. RELATED STORIES YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT:

7 best external hard drives with cloud access and bonus storage 10 best hard drive eraser software for Windows 10 5 best external drive cleaner tools to use

Name * Email * Commenting as . Not you? Save information for future comments
Comment

Δ