How to safely remove a device without the Windows Explorer process running?

Hi John,

I didn't mean that there was a problem with the Windows Explorer process running on my machine. I meant to say that by choice, sometimes I choose to kill the process and just run Total Commander as an alternative becuase it has a lower memory footprint.

The only problem is that when I run this type of configuration, I didn't know how to bring up the Safely Remove Hardware window to safely remove a device like USB stick or external hard disk.

Your very last step (Step 2) was the answer I was looking for. Thanks very much.

This useful application does the job perfectly!

http://safelyremove.com/

It installed easily and works straight out of the box, with or without the Windows Explorer process running.  No need to follow the methods provided to diagnose or troubleshoot.

It's a shame and somewhat ridiculous that Windows 8.1 can't do the same even though it's supposed to.

Hi Jim,

In addition to ‘Yaqub’ suggestion, first try restarting the computer and then try following the step 2 which I suggested and check. You may also refer this WD knowledge base article:

Unable to safely remove (unmount) a WD external drive in Windows

http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/274

Hope this helps.

This also affects every single Sandisk SD/USB stick and Seagate external hard disk I have too.  So, I don't believe the problem lies with Western Digital.

Actually, it didn't work. When trying to "stop" the device using from the Safely Remove Hardware page, it says the: "device is not removable and cannot be ejected or unplugged" for every single USB hard disk I have connected when I either try to stop the device or the volume.  When I re-activate the Windows Explorer process and attempt to safely remove the same device using the icon on the taskbar, it works first time.

Hi Jim,

Please answer these questions in order to understand the issue better.

1. Have you hidden Windows explorer (Taskbar)?
2. Does the Windows explore (Taskbar) automatically disappear when you login to Windows?
3. Did you make any changes on the computer prior to the issue?

This issue can be caused due to any of the following issues:

• You may be using an outdated or corrupted video driver
• System files on your PC may be corrupt or mismatched with other files
• You may have a Virus or Malware infection on your PC
• Some applications or services running on your PC may be causing Windows Explorer to stop working

You may follow the troubleshooting steps from this Microsoft KB article and check if it helps:

Error: Windows Explorer has stopped working (This article is also applicable for Windows 8)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2694911

Note: Don’t perform steps suggested under section “Perform an In-Place Upgrade”

Antivirus Disclaimer: Any data files that are infected may only be cleaned by deleting the file entirely, which means there is a potential for data loss.

Clean boot Disclaimer: After you have finished troubleshooting, follow these steps from section “How to reset the computer to start as usual after clean boot troubleshooting” to reset the computer to start as usual.

System Restore disclaimer: When you use System Restore to restore the computer to a previous state, programs and updates that you installed are removed.

When Windows explorer stops working, you won’t be able to see the taskbar. You can try these steps and check if it helps.

Step 1: You can enable the Windows explore (Taskbar) from task manger:

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del on the keyboard.
2. Click Task Manger.
3. Click File – Run new task.
4. Type explorer.exe and press enter.
5. This will bring up to Task bar.

Step 2: To safely remove a device without running the Windows Explorer process:

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del on the keyboard.
2. Click Task Manger.
3. Click File – Run new task.
4. Type this command and press enter: RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll
5. This will bring up the Safely Remove Hardware Window.

Hope this helps. If you need further assistance with Windows, let us know and will be glad to help.