We all actively use various storage media (flash drives, hard drives, memory cards) and we know that in order to avoid any failure and important files are not lost when the disk is suddenly disconnected from a computer running Windows during their transfer, it is necessary to safely remove the device each time. It happens that this is not so easy to do, because the hard drive is being used by a program or application. How to be?
How to properly eject an external hard drive?
We all know that you can’t just take and disconnect an external hard drive or USB flash drive from the cord or USB port of the computer’s system unit without clicking this icon in the tray:
In the list that opens, we select the drive we need, click on it with the left mouse button:
Voila! A message appears that the device can be safely removed from the computer.
There is another simple way to safely remove a device - through the "Computer" folder: right-click on the device that you want to disconnect from the computer, left-click "Eject". If at the same time the device is “busy”, then the OS will ask if it is necessary to interrupt all current operations.
But things don't always go as smoothly as we'd like. Often, when you try to safely remove a device in Windows, a message pops up stating that it is in use by other programs and cannot be removed. Processes that lock the device cannot be forcibly terminated using this system function! It remains only to determine which programs the device is occupied with and close them.
You can urgently disconnect an external drive from a computer using the task manager, called by simultaneously pressing the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys. We go to the processes tab, find our device there and right-click on it and click "End Process".
What to do if the external hard drive is not removed by any of the above methods?
Well, if no programs were launched manually, and the device is still used by something - what should I do? Here, without special utilities, it is difficult to find the cause.
One of the best ways to disable an external drive that is used by unknown programs and cannot be stopped by standard Windows tools is to use special programs to eject flash drives and disks like USB Safely Remove. The Unlocker program also helps to identify and disable the processes that the external storage device is busy with, after which the disk or flash drive can be safely removed.
It happens that it is not safe to remove the USB HDD by any of the above methods, which was noticed in Windows 7, and when using completely different external drives. If the disks were connected to the computer in the current session, everything is removed as a rule without problems. However, it is worth rebooting the system with connected disks, it will no longer be possible to extract them, since they will be occupied by System.exe and svchost.exe system processes that are “indestructible” even with Unlocker.
Unlocker shows that the device is occupied by the processes explorer.exe and svchost.exe
And this is even if you disable indexing on all drives! In order not to rack your brains, you can simply eject the disk after the computer shuts down.
Users use Safely Remove Devices to keep external devices connected to their computer working and to inform the Windows operating system of their intentions. This will allow the system to correctly shut down the software that is responsible for the interaction of the computer with other devices.
The ability to safely remove a device was in earlier versions of Windows, for example, as well as . Due to its usefulness, such a function was also preserved in the tenth version.
Why secure extraction is needed
External devices are connected to a computer or laptop, for example, USB ports, through special connectors, for example, connectors for connecting SD cards and the like. Through the same ports, external devices are simultaneously connected to a power source, receive electricity from the computer, from its batteries and power supplies.
Let's consider why you need to safely remove an external hard drive, flash drive and memory card, as well as possible problems associated with data encryption on certain devices.
Removing an external hard drive
Electricity is needed, for example, for external hard drives, so that before they are turned off, the hard drive heads are parked, "left to the base", placed in a safe place where they cannot damage the surface of the disk with the data recorded on them. If you do not park the heads of external hard drives, then the situation of their lowering directly onto the recording surface of rotating disks is not ruled out. This leads to surface damage and data loss, sometimes irretrievable loss.
This means that before disconnecting external hard drives, they need power to perform parking operations. Also, external hard drives need a shutdown command, which they can only receive from the computer they are connected to. So here it is
safe disconnection of external hard drives consists of instructing them to turn off, stop working with the computer, stop all data reading or writing operations, and instruct them to park the read heads.
Only after executing these commands, external hard drives can be disconnected from the computer (laptop), only then the disconnection will take place without excesses, without possible damage to the data stored on the disks.
Safe removal of a flash drive or memory card
If non-rotating, non-mechanical data read/write devices, such as flash drives or SD cards, are connected to a computer (laptop), then such devices, of course, do not need to park anything, they have no mechanics. However,
before disconnecting such devices (flash drives, memory cards), the operating system must first stop all data writing operations on them.
If you turn off flash drives or memory cards at the time data is being written to them, then the data on such devices may disappear, be lost, or be destroyed. Some of the information will be recorded, but some will not, because the user disconnected the device from the computer in an abnormal way. And since not all of the data was written, subsequent reading of such incomplete data may be difficult or even impossible. Restoration of the data structure will be required, during which part of the data, or even all the data recorded on a flash drive or memory card, will be lost, often without the possibility of recovery.
Encryption issues when removing a device
Some users use data encryption when they are written to media, including external devices (external hard drives, flash drives, memory cards). When using data encryption, it becomes even more important that external devices are properly disconnected so that all data encryption / decryption operations are completed.
Encryption/decryption slows down data write/read operations. You need to give the computer (laptop) time to complete all the required data encryption steps.
Otherwise, an abnormal shutdown of an external device to which encrypted data is written can lead to the loss of part or even all of the information recorded on the device being switched off.
Thus, properly performed disconnection of external devices (external hard drives, flash drives, SD cards, and the like) allows you to safely disconnect devices without losing the data recorded on them, without mechanical or other damage to the information storage devices themselves.
Safely Remove via Taskbar: Method One
Consider this option using the example of an external hard drive connected to a laptop via a USB port. Instead of a disk, there may be a flash drive or other device.
Before removing the external hard drive, click on the "Show hidden icons" icon (1 in Fig. 1) in the lower right corner. A menu will appear in which we are interested in the "Safely Remove Devices and Disks" icon (2 in Fig. 1):
Rice. 1. Open hidden icons and look for the "Safely Remove Devices" icon
Left click on the found icon
Rice. 2. Click on "Extract Elements 1042"
After clicking on the "Extract Elements 1042" icon, a message will appear: "The hardware can be extracted. The USB mass storage device can now be safely removed from the computer.
Rice. 3. A message that the equipment can be safely removed
After such a message “with a clear conscience”, we remove the device from the computer and set it aside until it is needed again.
Safe extraction using RMB: the second method
The screenshots below are for a micro-SD memory card. This example is useful because the card is connected not to a USB port, but to a special connector. However, the safe removal steps are the same as those for external USB devices.
Since the memory card is connected to the laptop, you first need to find its icon. To do this, in the Taskbar, open Explorer "This PC" and RMB (right-click) click on the SD icon (1 or 3 in Fig. 4):
Rice. 4 (click to enlarge). Right-click (right-click) on the SD card, and then "Eject"
The magic RMB click (right mouse button) brings up a context menu containing a list of all operations that can be performed with respect to the memory card. We are interested in the “Extract” option (2 in Fig. 4).
Now we left-click "Eject", a message will appear: "The equipment can be removed ..." (Fig. 5):
Rice. 5 (click to enlarge). A message that everything is OK - you can remove the memory card.
Displaying the Safely Remove Icon in the Taskbar
If there are no connected external devices, then the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon will not appear in the taskbar (Fig. 1). If there is a connected device, then such an icon may be, however, not for all devices.
You can check the display setting of the eject icon. To do this, on the free space of the desktop, right-click (right-click), a menu will appear in which we are interested in "Personalization". Open the "Taskbar" tab (2 in Fig. 6), scroll it on the right side until the option "Select the icons displayed in the taskbar" appears:
Rice. 6. Personalization - Taskbar - Select the icons displayed in the taskbar
Opposite the icon "Explorer Safely remove devices and disks" check the position of the toggle switch. It should be in the "On" position. (Fig. 7):
Rice. 7. In order for the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon to be displayed in the taskbar, the checkbox "On" must be opposite.
Is Safe Extraction Always Required
If connected to the computer, then in most cases the safe removal icon will not appear in the taskbar. The fact is that there are devices that the Windows 10 operating system defines as a media device. These include players, USB cameras, Android tablets and phones, iPhones, and other similar external devices. In this case, the icon for safe removal is not shown, it is missing. This means that they can be taken out just like that, without resorting to "extra" manipulations.
Also, safe removal is not required for flash drives that are write-protected, as well as for CDs and DVDs, memory cards that have read-only access. In this case, the operating system does not have the ability to change the information on the devices, since they are used for reading, but not for writing.
Use the "Safely Remove Devices and Disks" icon if the following is inserted into the computer (laptop):
- external hard drive,
- flash drive with write protection disabled or
- memory card with write protection disabled.
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You can’t just take and pull out a USB flash drive from a USB connector. Incorrectly disconnecting any drive can lead to its failure and data corruption.
This is the correct way to disconnect a USB flash drive from a computer. If everything is done correctly, then the operating system:
- cancel all active read / write operations of information on the USB flash drive;
- "inform" all running programs that the removable drive will be disabled;
- "Notify" the user if it is impossible to stop interaction with the drive in some current processes.
Safe removal of a flash drive is a guarantee of the safety of the data that is placed on it. This is especially important if the user encrypts information.
How to perform a safe extraction?
Consider the example of Windows 10, but in older versions this procedure is not fundamentally different.
- Through the "Dashboard". Move the cursor to the lower right corner of the display, click on the first icon on the left (up arrow) - hidden icons will be displayed. Look for the flash drive icon there - when you hover over it with the cursor, "Safely remove devices and drives" will be displayed. Click on the icon with the left mouse button and click on "Eject X", where X is the name of the USB drive.
- Through the context menu. Open "This PC" and find the required USB flash drive in the list of removable drives. Right-click on it - a context menu will appear on the side. In the list of commands, find the line "Extract" and click it.
IMPORTANT! The above approaches should end with a system alert - "Equipment can be removed (removed)".
What problems can arise when removing a flash drive?
Sometimes the computer does not "want to let go" of a removable drive. This is usually due to one of two factors:
- data caching. Information is not always recorded in real time, when you see the status window, where progress is displayed as a percentage. The operating system can cache data - transfer it to RAM. In fact, writing to the drive will occur later, if there are free resources;
- process failures of individual utilities. For example, photo editors are able to constantly check for pictures on drives connected to the computer. Such a process can go in cycles. Then he needs to have access to the flash drive all the time and he will not “allow” you to disconnect it in a safe way.
In any case, the system will notify you that the drive cannot be removed - a corresponding message will appear. The easiest way to get out of this situation is to disable active programs and close all windows. This also applies to applications running in the background: antivirus, instant messengers, OS optimizers.
Generic volume problem
The most common difficulty with secure extraction is the error "Windows cannot stop the Generic Volume device". This means that there are processes that are using the drive, but the system cannot stop them automatically.
Solving Generic Volume Issues
Error with safe removal shortcut
It happens that the icon for launching a safe extraction disappears in the Taskbar.
Restoring the safe removal icon
First of all, use manually running the extraction command.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- press the key combination Windows+R- a window will appear "Run";
- copy the query into the window line "RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll";
- confirm the launch by clicking on OK;
- a safe removal window will appear, where you need to select the appropriate drive and click on "Stop".
If this does not help, then use the official Microsoft USB troubleshooter. Download, install and run the utility, then follow the instructions that will appear - they are extremely simple.
If this does not help, then edit the registry, for which you need:
- run window "Run", as in the first step of the previous method;
- enter query string "regedit" and run it by pressing OK;
- in the new window, pay attention to the panel on the left, consisting of many lines - sequentially get to the line along the path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER => Softaware => Microsoft => Windows => CurrentVersion => Applets => SysTray;
- look to the right side, where there will be 3 lines - click first Services, in the window that appears, set the value to "1b", save the changes by clicking on OK, and then do the same with the line "HotPlugsFlags", but set it to "2".
- restart your computer.
It happens that not only the safe removal icon disappears, but the drive icon itself. Most often, this is due, in particular, to highly specialized ones - autoruns. To combat them, perform a full system scan with an antivirus - preferably not free. In addition, you can use special utilities Anti-Autoran or Online Solutions Autorun Manager .
If you simply pull the USB device out of the port while the computer is turned on, you will not end up in trouble. There is a risk of losing files, disrupting applications, and even the entire operating system. But safely removing devices doesn't always work.
Most often, this is not a problem: just click on the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the notification area (system tray) and select the desired drive. As soon as a message appears stating that the device can be safely removed (Safe To Remove Hardware), the disk can be disconnected.
But sometimes Windows instead announces that the device is still in use (This device is currently in use) - without specifying, however, by which process. And without this information, it is not easy to solve the problem.
For starters, you can try to act at random. Close all Windows Explorer windows and any programs that might be using files from the disk, and then try again to eject it safely.
If it doesn’t help, you can simply turn off the computer - not put it to sleep, but completely turn it off. This always helps, but it takes a lot of time and disrupts the workflow.
There is an easier way: log out, log in again and try to safely remove the device again. This is faster than a complete shutdown and power on, and the problematic process will most likely end when you log out. However, such manipulations also take a lot of time.
That is why I prefer . The utility allows you not only to delete files that are not deleted by Windows tools, but also frees drives connected to the computer. The program is completely free, although users are encouraged to donate $5 towards its development.
Download and install the utility, and the next time Windows announces that "the device is still in use", right-click on the disk and select "Unlocker". The program will tell you which processes are causing the problem and offer options for solving it. Unlocker can interrupt all processes, but at the same time there is a risk of disrupting the normal operation of Windows. In addition, the utility may try to free files without interrupting the processes that use them.
However, I prefer to manage on my own. Having found out which process is causing the problem, it is easy to guess what application needs to be closed - the process and program names are usually the same. So you can simply shut down the problematic application manually, saving all the files, and then use the function of safely removing the device.
Often there is a situation when it is impossible to disconnect the USB flash drive from the computer in safe mode. When disconnected, a window appears with information that the device is still in use. It will be possible to disconnect the flash drive only after closing all programs that use your flash drive.
And how to find such programs because of which the flash drive is not safely removed? At my last job, I often had cases when I sort of finished working with a flash drive, closed all the files, and when I turn it off, it still says that the device is still in use. My nerves were not enough and I just disconnected the flash drive from the USB port. But having destroyed several flash drives in this way, I decided to think about how to figure out what exactly the flash drive is doing at the time of shutdown.
Actually, such a message appears when you want to disconnect a USB flash drive that is used by some program, or a file is opened from it
The device is still in use. Quit all programs and close any windows that may be using this device, and then try again.
Fortunately, good programmers have written a special program with which you can calculate what kind of process or file “holds” a flash drive and does not allow it to be turned off.
This program is called Dev Eject. Its essence is to find the process that is currently occupying your flash drive, you can disable this process from the program and then safely remove the flash drive.
After installation, run the program and select your flash drive
Now press " Eject”To safely turn off the flash drive, if the flash drive is occupied by some program, a similar window will appear:
As you can see, this window shows the process that the flash drive is currently using. In my case it is an image viewer. I forgot to close the picture, which is on the flash drive. In order not to look for where you have this picture open, just right-click on the process and select “ kill process”