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RichardO'Neil2392

What does a yellow exclamation mark over the C Drive on a Surface Pro 3 with Windows 10 in Devices and Drives mean?

Bought new Surface Pro 3 with Windows 10. After installing Office 365 and checking the system out I see a yellow exclamation mark over the "Windows (C:) in Devices and Drives. Everything seems to be running properly except:

Wireless internet connection keeps dropping. I have another Surface Pro 3 running next to the new one to check apps, etc and it hasn't dropped its internet connection.

Windows update freezes with 2 more updates to download and install. Quits at 8%.

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Replies (21)

A. User

Hi Richard,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

The most common reason for showing yellow exclamation (!) is due to low disk space. I would request you to try the suggestions provided in the article below and check the disk space. This should also fix the Windows update issue as well.

Tips to free up drive space on your PC (information holds good for Windows 10 as well)

Hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to reply in case you face any other issues with Windows in future.

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RichardO'Neil2392

Actually it was a notice or warning that Bitlocker was not activated. Had nothing to do with disc space since this is on a new Surface Pro 3 with 256GB and over 200GB unused.

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Aaron S Marshall

Worked to fix annoying yellow exclaimation mark on my drive C: on Samsung tablet running Windows 10. I thought I was running out of SSD space. Just activated BitLocker and it went away.

Thanks!!!

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network guru123

how did this guy get a job at Microsoft ? god help us all know your product !!!! Kudos to

RichardO'Neil2392

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DrewVM

This is the type of reply that makes many of us want to move away from Windows. Microsoft support has steadily declined over the past 15 years and now it appears only a pulse is required :(

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AndrewSloley

Pulse optional.

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Paul Lupa

Here are the different icon adornments for hard drives that may appear

Adornment		Meaning
	Windows logo (may be combined with other adornments)	System drive.
	Locked padlock	BitLocker locked: Volume is inaccessible.
	Unlocked padlock	BitLocker on: Drive is encrypted and keys are protected.
	Unlocked padlock with yellow warning triangle	BitLocker is suspended: Drive is encrypted but everyone has access. This icon is also used to indicate the BitLocker is pre-provisioned.

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JimWynne

Here are the different icon adornments for hard drives that may appear

Adornment Meaning

Windows logo (may be combined with other adornments) System drive.

Locked padlock BitLocker locked: Volume is inaccessible.

Unlocked padlock BitLocker on: Drive is encrypted and keys are protected.

Unlocked padlock with yellow warning triangle BitLocker is suspended: Drive is encrypted but everyone has access. This icon is also used to indicate the BitLocker is pre-provisioned.

None of these fit the description (a yellow exclamation mark) given by the OP, and in a relatively rare instance of accuracy on the part of the Microsoft contractor, that symbol is indeed usually indicative of low disk space.

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winndznow

I think the default answer to most questions I see people ask is "you must not have updated your firmware"

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BrianPrenovost

I agree with the previous posters points about M$ pretty much lack of support. Brand New Install, and there is an Exclamation point in the hard drive. Support people have no clue what's up. It's enough to make a person migrate to one of the alternatives! At least with Linux, you know what you have for support! Apple, I'm not so much sure about, but they don't seem to have these types of problems since their hardware/software is so tight.

-dp

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Question Info

Last updated April 25, 2025 Views 272,007 Applies to: