File Explorer needs update and easy to find troubleshoot


mickey52

mickey52

Well-known member
Member
VIP
Local time
6:08 AM
Posts
100
Location
Wilmington Il
OS
Win 11 Home
I received a bad preview update that I had to reset my laptop to get rid of it. Then I got a second surprise a old quirk appeared with file explorer I thought would have been fixed a long time ago. the double external drive appeared then a new twist two file explorer in task manger I can not unplugging drive except by restarting lap top cable on restart. I spent a lot of time and money trying to put things back the way they were could someone give me a suggested on file explorer
 
Windows Build/Version
24h2 build26100,4946

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 HomeIntel Core Ultra7 Processor16gbIntel Arc
OS
Win 11 Home
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell Inspiron i7640-7366BLU 2 in 1
CPU
Intel Core Ultra7 Processor
Memory
16gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel Arc
Monitor(s) Displays
on laptop 1XHDMI 1.4
Screen Resolution
1920x1200 Full HD+
Hard Drives
1TB SSD
Keyboard
on laptop / on screen using as tablet
Mouse
Microsoft 3500
Internet Speed
800 mg
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
Defender

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro Insider 64 bit 25H2 26200.5742Intel Core i7 9700K 3.6016 GBnVidia GEForce RTX 2060 Super
OS
Windows 11 Pro Insider 64 bit 25H2 26200.5742
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Gigabyte Z390 UD
CPU
Intel Core i7 9700K 3.60
Motherboard
Gigabyte Z390 UD
Memory
16 GB
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia GEForce RTX 2060 Super
Sound Card
onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
Two 27" Dell 4K monitors
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2160
Hard Drives
M.2 NVME SSD, 500 GB; Two 2TB Mechanical HDD's
PSU
850w PSU
Case
Cyberpower PC
Cooling
Water cooled
Keyboard
Backlit Cyberpower gaming keyboard
Mouse
Backlit Cyberpower gaming mouse
Internet Speed
1 GB mbps
Browser
Brave
Antivirus
Windows Security
mickey52 said:
I received a bad preview update that I had to reset my laptop to get rid of it. Then I got a second surprise a old quirk appeared with file explorer I thought would have been fixed a long time ago. the double external drive appeared
Click to expand...
That’s actually how Windows 11’s File Explorer navigation pane works — not a sign that anything’s wrong with your SSD.

Here’s what’s going on:
  • By default, Windows shows removable drives in two places:
    1. Under “This PC” (where all drives are listed)
    2. As a separate top‑level entry in the navigation pane for quick access
  • This duplication is intentional, but it can look odd when both entries have the same name and icon.
Why Microsoft Does This
  • The top‑level entry is meant for fast drag‑and‑drop access without expanding “This PC.”
  • The “This PC” entry is the traditional view that groups all storage devices together.
  • External drives get both by default, so you can use whichever is more convenient.

Here's what my File Explorer looks like with a portable backup SSD attached as drive D:

Screenshot 2025-08-13 211433.webp

mickey52 said:
then a new twist two file explorer in task manger I can not unplugging drive except by restarting lap top cable on restart. I spent a lot of time and money trying to put things back the way they were could someone give me a suggested on file explorer
Click to expand...
This is also normal. You can have as many instances of File Explorer running as you want. I started 3 (three) instances of File Explorer to illustrate this and here they are in Task Manager:

Screenshot 2025-08-13 211221.webp

What you are experiencing is completely normal and there are no errors or bugs to fix.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel Series 3 Core Ultra X9 388H64GB LPDDR5x 9600 MT/sIntel Arc graphics B390 Panther Lake
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 16 DA16260
    CPU
    Intel Series 3 Core Ultra X9 388H
    Memory
    64GB LPDDR5x 9600 MT/s
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Arc graphics B390 Panther Lake
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16" 3.2K Tandem OLED Infinity Edge
    Screen Resolution
    3200 x 2000 16:10 236 PPI
    Hard Drives
    1 Terabyte M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
    Case
    Black Anodized Aluminum
    Cooling
    Vapor Chamber Cooling
    Mouse
    None
    Internet Speed
    942 Mbps Netgear Mesh + 2 Satellites
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge (Chromium)
    Antivirus
    Windows Security (Defender)
    Other Info
    NPU delivering 67 TOPS
    Microsoft 365 subscription
    Microsoft Office 365
    Microsoft OneDrive 1TB Cloud
    Microsoft Visual Studio
    Microsoft Visual Studio Code
    Microsoft Sysinternals Suite
    Microsoft BitLocker
    Microsoft Copilot
    Dell Support Assist
    Dell Command | Update
    Macrium Reflect X subscription
    1Password Password Manager
    Amazon Kindle for PC
    Lightroom/Photoshop subscription
    Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon® X Elite (12 Core) with Hexagon NP...32GB LPDDR5x 8448 MT/sIntegrated Adreno GPU
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Laptop 7
    CPU
    Snapdragon® X Elite (12 Core) with Hexagon NPU delivering 45 TOPS
    Memory
    32GB LPDDR5x 8448 MT/s
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Adreno GPU
    Sound Card
    Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos spatial sound
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.8″ PixelSense Flow touchscreen 120 Hz 600 NIT
    Screen Resolution
    2304 × 1536 (201 PPI), 3:2 aspect ratio
    Hard Drives
    1 TB PCIe NVMe Gen 4 SSD
    Case
    Black Anodized Aluminum
    Cooling
    Vapor Chamber Cooling
    Mouse
    None
    Internet Speed
    942 Mbps Netgear Mesh + 2 Satellites
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge (Chromium)
    Antivirus
    Windows Security (Defender)
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 subscription (Office)
    Microsoft Office 365
    Microsoft OneDrive 1TB Cloud
    Microsoft Visual Studio 2026
    Microsoft Visual Studio Code
    Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation
    Lightroom/Photoshop subscription
    1Password Password Manager
    Microsoft Sysinternals
    Amazon Kindle for PC
    Microsoft BitLocker
    Microsoft Copilot
so not being able to remove cable unless you restart laptop is normal??
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 HomeIntel Core Ultra7 Processor16gbIntel Arc
OS
Win 11 Home
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell Inspiron i7640-7366BLU 2 in 1
CPU
Intel Core Ultra7 Processor
Memory
16gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel Arc
Monitor(s) Displays
on laptop 1XHDMI 1.4
Screen Resolution
1920x1200 Full HD+
Hard Drives
1TB SSD
Keyboard
on laptop / on screen using as tablet
Mouse
Microsoft 3500
Internet Speed
800 mg
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
Defender
mickey52 said:
so not being able to remove cable unless you restart laptop is normal??
Click to expand...
I hadn't understood what you were talking about regarding removing a cable.

My cable that is attached to my portable SSD can be unplugged when the drive LED is no longer showing activity. I don't have to restart my PC to do that. Is that what you were talking about?
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel Series 3 Core Ultra X9 388H64GB LPDDR5x 9600 MT/sIntel Arc graphics B390 Panther Lake
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 16 DA16260
    CPU
    Intel Series 3 Core Ultra X9 388H
    Memory
    64GB LPDDR5x 9600 MT/s
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Arc graphics B390 Panther Lake
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16" 3.2K Tandem OLED Infinity Edge
    Screen Resolution
    3200 x 2000 16:10 236 PPI
    Hard Drives
    1 Terabyte M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
    Case
    Black Anodized Aluminum
    Cooling
    Vapor Chamber Cooling
    Mouse
    None
    Internet Speed
    942 Mbps Netgear Mesh + 2 Satellites
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge (Chromium)
    Antivirus
    Windows Security (Defender)
    Other Info
    NPU delivering 67 TOPS
    Microsoft 365 subscription
    Microsoft Office 365
    Microsoft OneDrive 1TB Cloud
    Microsoft Visual Studio
    Microsoft Visual Studio Code
    Microsoft Sysinternals Suite
    Microsoft BitLocker
    Microsoft Copilot
    Dell Support Assist
    Dell Command | Update
    Macrium Reflect X subscription
    1Password Password Manager
    Amazon Kindle for PC
    Lightroom/Photoshop subscription
    Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon® X Elite (12 Core) with Hexagon NP...32GB LPDDR5x 8448 MT/sIntegrated Adreno GPU
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Laptop 7
    CPU
    Snapdragon® X Elite (12 Core) with Hexagon NPU delivering 45 TOPS
    Memory
    32GB LPDDR5x 8448 MT/s
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Adreno GPU
    Sound Card
    Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos spatial sound
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.8″ PixelSense Flow touchscreen 120 Hz 600 NIT
    Screen Resolution
    2304 × 1536 (201 PPI), 3:2 aspect ratio
    Hard Drives
    1 TB PCIe NVMe Gen 4 SSD
    Case
    Black Anodized Aluminum
    Cooling
    Vapor Chamber Cooling
    Mouse
    None
    Internet Speed
    942 Mbps Netgear Mesh + 2 Satellites
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge (Chromium)
    Antivirus
    Windows Security (Defender)
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 subscription (Office)
    Microsoft Office 365
    Microsoft OneDrive 1TB Cloud
    Microsoft Visual Studio 2026
    Microsoft Visual Studio Code
    Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation
    Lightroom/Photoshop subscription
    1Password Password Manager
    Microsoft Sysinternals
    Amazon Kindle for PC
    Microsoft BitLocker
    Microsoft Copilot
I try to safely remove cable windows says it can't its being used and the red light is on
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Win 11 HomeIntel Core Ultra7 Processor16gbIntel Arc
OS
Win 11 Home
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell Inspiron i7640-7366BLU 2 in 1
CPU
Intel Core Ultra7 Processor
Memory
16gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel Arc
Monitor(s) Displays
on laptop 1XHDMI 1.4
Screen Resolution
1920x1200 Full HD+
Hard Drives
1TB SSD
Keyboard
on laptop / on screen using as tablet
Mouse
Microsoft 3500
Internet Speed
800 mg
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
Defender
You have something, an app or a process, that is actively using the drive. What were you using to write to the drive?
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel Series 3 Core Ultra X9 388H64GB LPDDR5x 9600 MT/sIntel Arc graphics B390 Panther Lake
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 16 DA16260
    CPU
    Intel Series 3 Core Ultra X9 388H
    Memory
    64GB LPDDR5x 9600 MT/s
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Arc graphics B390 Panther Lake
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16" 3.2K Tandem OLED Infinity Edge
    Screen Resolution
    3200 x 2000 16:10 236 PPI
    Hard Drives
    1 Terabyte M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
    Case
    Black Anodized Aluminum
    Cooling
    Vapor Chamber Cooling
    Mouse
    None
    Internet Speed
    942 Mbps Netgear Mesh + 2 Satellites
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge (Chromium)
    Antivirus
    Windows Security (Defender)
    Other Info
    NPU delivering 67 TOPS
    Microsoft 365 subscription
    Microsoft Office 365
    Microsoft OneDrive 1TB Cloud
    Microsoft Visual Studio
    Microsoft Visual Studio Code
    Microsoft Sysinternals Suite
    Microsoft BitLocker
    Microsoft Copilot
    Dell Support Assist
    Dell Command | Update
    Macrium Reflect X subscription
    1Password Password Manager
    Amazon Kindle for PC
    Lightroom/Photoshop subscription
    Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProSnapdragon® X Elite (12 Core) with Hexagon NP...32GB LPDDR5x 8448 MT/sIntegrated Adreno GPU
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Laptop 7
    CPU
    Snapdragon® X Elite (12 Core) with Hexagon NPU delivering 45 TOPS
    Memory
    32GB LPDDR5x 8448 MT/s
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Adreno GPU
    Sound Card
    Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos spatial sound
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.8″ PixelSense Flow touchscreen 120 Hz 600 NIT
    Screen Resolution
    2304 × 1536 (201 PPI), 3:2 aspect ratio
    Hard Drives
    1 TB PCIe NVMe Gen 4 SSD
    Case
    Black Anodized Aluminum
    Cooling
    Vapor Chamber Cooling
    Mouse
    None
    Internet Speed
    942 Mbps Netgear Mesh + 2 Satellites
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge (Chromium)
    Antivirus
    Windows Security (Defender)
    Other Info
    Microsoft 365 subscription (Office)
    Microsoft Office 365
    Microsoft OneDrive 1TB Cloud
    Microsoft Visual Studio 2026
    Microsoft Visual Studio Code
    Interactive Brokers Trader Workstation
    Lightroom/Photoshop subscription
    1Password Password Manager
    Microsoft Sysinternals
    Amazon Kindle for PC
    Microsoft BitLocker
    Microsoft Copilot
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

File Explorer Network Access Error - Keeps Running Troubleshooter
Replies
0
Views
874
mccmw
mccmw

Latest Support Threads

Latest Tutorials

Back
Top Bottom