External drive not showing files after switching from Windows to Zorin OS

Installing Zorin OS
1

Hi everyone,

some new Linux users may connect an external hard drive after installing Zorin OS and suddenly think their files are gone, because the drive does not open correctly or the files are not visible.

In many cases, the data is not lost.

Windows and Linux can use different file systems. Windows often uses NTFS, while Linux installations usually use ext4 for the system drive. Zorin OS can normally read common Windows file systems such as NTFS, exFAT, and FAT32, but sometimes Windows leaves a drive in a locked or unsafe state.

This can happen especially if:

  • Windows Fast Startup was enabled
  • Windows was hibernated instead of fully shut down
  • the external drive was not safely removed
  • the drive has file system errors
  • the drive is encrypted with BitLocker
  • the drive needs to be mounted manually

Before doing anything else:

Do not format the drive.
Do not delete partitions.
Do not click any option that says “initialize”, “erase”, or “create new partition table”.

First, try this simple method:

  1. Connect the external drive.
  2. Open the app called Disks in Zorin OS.
  3. Select the external drive on the left side.
  4. Check if the partition is visible.
  5. If there is a small “play” button, click it to mount the drive.
  6. Then open Files and check if the drive appears.

If the drive still does not open, connect it back to a Windows computer and do this:

  1. Open Windows.
  2. Copy important files somewhere safe if possible.
  3. Right-click the external drive.
  4. Choose Properties.
  5. Go to Tools.
  6. Run Error Checking.
  7. Safely eject the drive.
  8. Shut Windows down completely, not hibernate.
  9. Connect the drive again to Zorin OS.

Also disable Fast Startup in Windows:

Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do → Change settings that are currently unavailable → untick “Turn on fast startup”.

Important note:
Documents, pictures, videos, music, PDF files, and similar personal files can normally be opened or copied in Linux. Windows programs themselves usually will not run directly unless you use Wine or another compatibility method.

If the external drive is encrypted with BitLocker, Zorin OS may not open it automatically. In that case, you may need to unlock it from Windows first or use special tools.

So if your external hard drive does not show your files after switching to Zorin OS, don’t panic. In most cases the drive is only locked, not mounted, or needs a file system check.

Best regards,
Daniel

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