VolumeID 2.1

Overview

VolumeID is a command line level utility that lets the user view the volume label for a FAT or NTFS drive system and make a change to the volume label for the drive.

The tool requires that the command line is located first. The user can then change the directory to the one that has the VolumeID executable file already stored there.

Once the correct drive is being accessed, the tool is able to change the label assigned to the hard drive. The hard drive label makes it easier to identify the hard drive rather than relying on a drive letter when there may be many drive letter already.

The hard drive volume label is configured in the following format: xxxx-xxxx. Therefore, the volume label can only be altered in a way that still adheres to the set format.

The tool does not allow changes to the hard drive letter (though Windows has its own options for making this change possible).

Changes can be made either to a FAT- or NTFS-configured hard drive. No other hard drive storage configurations are acceptable with VolumeID. With NTFS systems, the label change will update when the Windows system is rebooted whereas with FAT drives it is not necessary to reboot the PC for the changes to take effect.

When running a NT-based Windows operating system it is also necessary to restart Windows as changing the label can make the hard drive system a bit unreliable.

More information can be found here.

Installation

There is no installation required as the system tool is only accessible via the command line. The software should be placed in an easy to access directory because the command line needs to change the current directory to be able to access it.

There was no adware, toolbars, spyware or malware included with the file archive.

VolumeID requires Windows OS.

Interface

Running the VolumeID.exe within the command line will bring up the tool.

The user can type: VolumeID.exe F: 124d-fa25 and the volume label will be changed to this label.

The software will then confirm whether the volume label has been changed or not.

Pros

• Change the hard drive volume ID in the xxxx-xxxx format
• Does not change the assigned hard drive letter
• FAT drives do not need a Windows restart

Cons

• NTFS drives need a Windows restart
• No GUI

Alternatives

Drive Letter View lets the user see all the hard drive letters assigned and modify the letters assigned to different hard drives or partitions.

Conclusion

VolumeID is an effective hard drive volume label changer that works only on FAT and NTFS formatted drives.