Attaching new, empty storage devices, such as external hard drives, allows you to store information and backup data from your computer. When attaching an empty drive, it may not show up in the My Computer section alongside other built-in and attached drives on your computer. By changing your settings, you can force Windows 7 to display empty drives. Visibility of all your computer's drives helps you organize and store new data and ensures the drives are installed and functioning. This Windows 7 guide will take you step-by-step through the process of displaying empty drives in Windows 7.

Close all open programs and folders. This step reduces clutter on your desktop that may help you review and modify your drive settings quicker. It is a good practice to shut down programs and close folders whenever making changes on your computer.

Click on the start menu and in the "Search programs and files" box enter "Folder Options" and click "Enter" on your keyboard. The "Folder Options" window will appear. Click on the "View" tab to reach the drive settings section.

In the "Folder Options" window under the "Advanced settings" section, scroll until you see "Hide empty drives in the Computer folder". Unclick the box next to this setting, then press the "Apply" button. Once the check mark is removed from the box, click the "OK" button to close the window. Look in your "My Computer" folder to ensure your empty drives are now visible in Windows 7.

Check out the how tos below to learn other tips for the Windows 7 Operating System:

1. How to Burn Disk Images in Windows 7
2. How to Change the Taskbar Clock Setting in Windows 7
3. How to Change What the Power Button Does in Windows 7
4. How to Combine Apps and Make the Taskbar Smaller in Windows 7
5. How to Create a Full Search in Windows 7
6. How to Create a Virtual Hard Disk in Windows 7
7. How to Display Empty Drives in Windows 7
8. How to Dock Window from Left to Right to Center in Windows 7
9. How to Encrypt a USB Drive in Windows 7
10. How to Magnify the Screen in Windows 7
11. How to Make Your Background a Slideshow in Windows 7
12. How to Minimize Hide Expand Browse Windows in Windows 7
13. How to Quickly Arrange Icons in Windows 7
14. How to Quickly Create a New Instance of a Program in Windows 7
15. How to Quickly Lock the Screen in Windows 7
16. How to Remove or Add Run Command in Start Menu in Windows 7
17. How to Run an Application as Administrator in Windows 7
18. How to Run An Application As Another User in Windows 7
19. How to Show or Hide the Preview Side Bar in Windows 7
20. How TO Stretch a Window Vertically in Windows 7
21. How To Turn On and Off Security Settings in Windows 7
22. How to Use the App Locker in Windows 7