How to assign a static drive letter to a USB drive in Windows 8
Step 1
In the Windows 8 Desktop, first we open the "Control Panel."
![opening-control-panel-in-windows8.png]()
Step 2
Then we click the "System and Security" link from the Control Panel.
![clicking-on-system-and-security-in-windows8.png]()
Step 3
Click the "Administrative Tools" link on the "System and Security" window.
![clicking-admin-tools-in-windows8.png]()
Step 4
When the Administrative tools window opens, double-click the "Computer Management" shortcut.
![clicking-computer-management-in-windows8.png]()
Step 5
The "Computer Management" dialog box displays. In the tree on the left, select "Disk Management" under Storage.
![clicking-disk-management-in-windows8.png]()
Step 6
Right-click on the drive in the list and select "Change Drive Letter and Paths" from the popup menu.
![select-change-drive-letter-in-windows8.png]()
Step 7
The Change Drive Letter and Paths dialog box displays for the selected drive showing the current drive letter. To change the drive letter, click "Change".
![clicking-change-in-windows8.png]()
Step 8
On the "Change Drive Letter or Path" dialog box, select the "Assign the following drive letter" option.
![select-a-drive-letter-in-windows8.png]()
Step 9
The following warning displays, we choose "Yes" to continue.
![warning-dialog-in-windows8.png]()
Step 10
The new drive letter displays next to the drive on the "Computer Manager" dialog box.
![drive-letter-changed-in-windows8.png]()
Step 11
Select "Exit" from the "File" menu to close the "Computer Management" dialog box.
![closing-computer-management-in-windows8.png]()
Step 12
Close both the "Administrative Tools" window and the "Control Panel" window by clicking the X button in the upper-right corner of the window.
![closing-administrative-tools-window-in-windows8.png]()
Now, absolute file paths used by programs, such as backup programs, won't need to be changed every time you plug in your USB drive.