How to Resolve USB Storage Device Not Detected in Microsoft Windows

Windows does not recognize or detect known-good USB flash drives or USB hard drives.

Driver installation failure.

Confirmed known good drives working on other computers and non-storage USB devices (such as a keyboard or mouse) working on the affected ports confirm that the issue is driver-related.

Sometimes, this issue can be resolved by updating the USB storage driver.

1. Plug in your USB device. (when you open the Device Manager, you should see under "Other Devices," the USB device listed next to an exclamation point in a yellow triangle.)
2. Move the cursor over to the USB device name so that it is highlighted. Right-click and select "Update Driver Software."
3. When prompted "How do you want to search for driver software," choose "Browse my computer for driver software." There is a space for typing or browsing for the location of the driver.
4. Type "C:\Windows\winsxs" (without the quotes), and ensure that the "Include subfolders" box is checked. (Assuming Windows files are on the C: Drive.)
5. Click "Next". There is a warning message about the driver file not having been verified, and asking me if you want to continue. Click "Continue".
6. The driver installation should complete, and the USB device should be detected and function correctly.

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