Comprehensive Guide to Dismounting and Remounting Volumes in Windows 11

Key Notes

  • Dismounting a volume will make it inaccessible, but your data remains safe.
  • You can dismount volumes through both Disk Management and Windows Terminal.
  • Remounting a volume is straightforward once you know its volume GUID.

Mastering Volume Management: Dismounting and Remounting in Windows 11 & 10

This guide walks you through the process of dismounting and remounting volumes in Windows 11 and 10, essential skills for anyone wanting more control over drive access.

How to Dismount a Volume in Windows 11 and Remount It?

There are two main methods to dismount a volume in Windows 11 and subsequently remount it:

  1. Dismount a volume using the Disk Management utility
  2. Unmount a volume utilizing the Windows Terminal

Let’s explore each method in detail.

Step 1: Dismounting a Volume via Disk Management Utility

The Disk Management tool is a feature-rich tool that allows you to manage your drives effectively. Follow these steps to dismount a volume:

  1. Launch the Disk Management tool to see available volumes.
  2. Right-click on the volume you wish to dismount.
  3. Select Change Drive Letter and Paths from the context menu.
  4. A confirmation window will pop up; click on Remove.
  5. Another confirmation dialog will appear, prompting you to confirm.
  6. Click Yes to proceed with dismounting the volume.

The selected volume will now be removed from This PC and the navigation pane in File Explorer.

Step 2: Remounting a Previously Dismounted Volume via Disk Management

To remount a volume that was previously dismounted, follow these simple steps:

  1. Reconnect the dismounted volume.
  2. Open the Disk Management utility once more.
  3. Right-click on the dismounted volume in the interface.
  4. Choose Change Drive Letter and Paths option.
  5. Hit the Add button in the dialog that appears.
  6. In the Add Drive Letter or Path window, select the Assign the following drive letter radio button.
  7. Select a desired drive letter from the dropdown; if the last assigned letter is vacant, you can select it, or choose another one.
  8. Finalize the process by clicking OK.

Step 3: Unmounting a Volume Using Windows Terminal

To unmount a volume using Windows Terminal, execute the following steps:

  • Attach the drive you want to unmount.
  • Open Windows Terminal with administrative privileges (right-click the Start button and choose Terminal (Admin) ).
  • Create a new tab with a Command Prompt profile.
  • Type in the command:
  • mountvol command: this command allows you to manage mount points.
  • Specify the drive letter of the volume you aim to dismount and add the /P parameter to complete the unmounting process. For example, to unmount drive H, you would execute:

mountvol H: /P

This command should successfully dismount the designated drive.

Step 4: Mounting a Volume Using Windows Terminal

To remount a drive using the volume’s GUID, follow these steps:

  1. Reattach the previously unmounted volume.
  2. Launch an elevated Windows Terminal.
  3. Open a Command Prompt profile in a new tab.
  4. Run the mountvol command to display the GUIDs of all volumes.
  5. Identify the volume without mount points marked by *** NO MOUNT POINTS *** or *** NOT MOUNTABLE UNTIL A VOLUME MOUNT POINT IS CREATED ***. This is your dismounted volume. Copy the corresponding GUID.
  6. To remount it, use the command syntax with the mountvol command, specifying the drive letter (e.g., H ) and the volume GUID as follows:

Mountvol H: \\?\Volume{8b9d896f-0c6d-11ef-b3d3-40b03400db19}\

You have now successfully remounted your volume!

Summary

Dismounting and remounting a volume in Windows 11 and 10 is a straightforward process that enhances drive management and ensures your data remains secure. This guide provided a comprehensive overview discussing both Disk Management and Windows Terminal methods, equipping you with the necessary skills for effective volume management.

Conclusion

Mastering the processes of dismounting and remounting volumes can empower you as a user, providing you with better control over drive management in Windows. Whether using the UI or command line tools, following the steps outlined in this guide allows seamless management of your data access.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

How do I know if a volume is successfully unmounted?

If a volume is unmounted correctly, it will no longer appear in This PC or the File Explorer navigation pane.

Is my data safe when I dismount a volume?

Yes, dismounting a volume makes it inaccessible but does not delete your data. It remains intact and can be accessible once you remount the volume.