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First identify which drive letter you need to change
Windows XP treats an ordinary data or removable volume differently from the volume associated with Windows itself. For a removable drive, Microsoft’s XP guidance uses Disk Management and the Change Drive Letter and Paths command. That is not the procedure for changing the system or boot volume’s letter. See Microsoft’s Windows XP removable-drive instructions.
- Data or removable drive: Reassign its letter through Disk Management as appropriate.
- Windows system/boot drive: Do not treat a desired rename as ordinary drive maintenance. The documented registry method is for recovery after an unexpected letter change.
When Microsoft’s system-drive procedure applies
Microsoft’s KB 223188 describes restoring a system or boot drive letter that changed unexpectedly, for example after a drive-configuration change, when Disk Management cannot be used to correct it. It explicitly cautions: “Don’t use the procedure that’s described in this article to change a drive on a computer where the drive letter hasn’t changed.” Applying it in that situation may prevent Windows from starting.
There is an XP-specific documentation caveat. The current Microsoft Learn page identifies itself as the successor to KB 223188, but its “Applies to” list names supported Windows Server versions rather than Windows XP. The archived original KB lists Windows XP Home and Professional. The archive is evidence of the original article’s XP applicability, not confirmation that XP is currently supported by Microsoft. See the current Microsoft Learn article and the archived KB 223188.
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Why the registry procedure is risky
The recovery procedure edits mappings under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMMountedDevices. In Microsoft’s C/D swap example, the administrator temporarily renames the C mapping to an unused letter such as Z, changes the D mapping to C, then assigns the temporary mapping to D. It also requires checking and restoring permissions, using Registry Editor for the rename operation, and restarting. This is not a simple cosmetic change: altering the wrong mapping or using the procedure on an unchanged installation can leave Windows unable to start.
Microsoft’s instructions call for a full system and system-state backup before registry work, as well as a backup of the registry keys being changed. Microsoft’s general registry guidance likewise warns that incorrect edits can cause serious problems and recommends backing up the registry first. Read Microsoft’s registry editing and backup guidance.
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What to do in each situation
| Situation | Appropriate next step |
|---|---|
| You want to rename an unchanged Windows XP system drive | Do not use the KB 223188 registry procedure. The sources do not establish a safe, supported way to proactively rename an unchanged XP system drive. |
| The system/boot drive letter changed unexpectedly | Identify the change and consult KB 223188’s recovery instructions. Proceed only if you can make the required full system and system-state backup and safely perform the registry work. |
| You need to change a data or removable drive letter | Use Disk Management’s Change Drive Letter and Paths option for the volume, following the XP-specific guidance where relevant. |
| You cannot confirm which volume is the Windows system/boot volume or cannot back up the system | Do not edit MountedDevices. Seek qualified help or restore from a suitable backup rather than experimenting with system-drive mappings. |
If recovery is necessary
The sequence below describes the scope of Microsoft’s C/D example; it is not a substitute for the complete KB instructions or a recommendation to perform a proactive rename.
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- Make a full system and system-state backup, and back up the relevant registry keys before editing.
- Use the complete instructions in Microsoft’s system/boot drive recovery article, taking its XP applicability limitation into account.
- In the documented C/D example, temporarily rename
DosDevicesC:to an unused letter such asDosDevicesZ:; renameDosDevicesD:toDosDevicesC:; then rename the temporary value toDosDevicesD:. - Follow the article’s instructions to verify permissions, use Registry Editor to perform the value renames, and restore prior permissions.
- Restart as instructed. If Windows does not start, use your recovery plan or backup; do not make additional registry changes by guesswork.
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