How to remove system Z drive on Windows 10 in three steps

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Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Themysterious system drive Z:has dumbfounded some users who wondered how to remove it from Windows 10. That is a Z: system drive partition that appears in Windows 10’s File Explorer for some users. Z:driveoften appears after users have partitioned a harddriveor upgraded toWindows 10. When they try to open the Z:drive, a pop-up window opens stating, “You don’t currently have permission to access to folder.”

However, an HP support representative shed light on what the Z: partition is. On a forum, he stated:

That new drive labeled (Z: ) is the restore partition which is added to give you the option of restoring back to your previous version of windows. It is nothing to worry about, and should not be deleted.

So the Z:driveis usually a hidden partition. Its appearance on someWindows 10desktops 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 thedrive, but merely removing the partition so that it doesn’t appear in Explorer. This is how users can remove the Z:driveinWindows 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 theOKbutton. ClickCreateon the System Protection tab to set up the restore point. Then follow the guidelines below to edit the registry.

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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 Restoreis the utility that rollsWindows 10back 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.

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Method 3: Update Windows 10

Some users have also stated that updatingWindows 10removes the Z:drive. Drive Z: can appear when updates have not completely installed. Thus, checking forWin 10updates 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 itsRun the troubleshooterbutton tofix the pending updates.

Those are a few resolutions that might get rid ofdriveZ: and ensure it never reappears in File Explorer. ThendriveZ: will be a hidden restore partition again.

How to remove system Z drive on Windows 10 in three steps#

There are three ways to remove the Z: drive#

Method 1: Edit the Registry#

Method 2: Roll Back Windows 10 to a Restore Point#

Method 3: Update Windows 10#

How to remove system Z drive on Windows 10 in three steps

There are three ways to remove the Z: drive

Method 1: Edit the Registry

Method 2: Roll Back Windows 10 to a Restore Point

Method 3: Update Windows 10