Why Are My External HDD Files There When Disconnected?

[OldGuy56]

I noticed today that my 2 external HDDs show up in Windows Explorer even when the HDDs are disconnected. When I open the folders, it appears that many of the files are there and readily accessible. What setting "copies" these external HDDs to the laptop making them accessible like this. I don't want to tie up space or resources having this ability that I don't want or need. Thanks!! RB

 

[spamjim]

What you describe is an impossibility unless you have done something to your computer to clone external files to a local drive. Could you have installed backup software that was bundled on your external drives? Only you would know if you have configured your computer that way.

 

[OldGuy56]

Thanks spamjim...I didn't install or configure this intentionally but it truly is happening. The laptop is a Dell with backup and recovery software running but that may be unrelated.

 

[DrB0b]

Is it maybe tied to Offline File Syncing? Check out the Control Panel / Sync Center and see if it is on.

Learning - A never ending quest for knowledge usually attained by being thrown in a situation and told to fix it NOW.

 

[kjv1611]

Did you ever get this resolved for find a clue to what is causing?

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57

 

[ponoodle]

I would move the files with the external unplugged, and see if they come back when you reconnect the drive.

 

[OldGuy56]

Not resolved yet. Today, I tried opening some of the files again, when disconnected from the HDD. It looked like the large icons were there for all the files but when trying to open, I get a message that the file does not exist. ??

 

[edfair]

Shortcuts created by file indexing?

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[spamjim]

Is there a reason why we're not discussing which troubleshooting steps were taken from the presented suggestions?

There's really no point in anyone trying to help if we're just lobbing ideas over a brick wall.