how to remove safe USB external disk

ezra, thank you for your reply.

• If this is the case, expand the hidden items arrow on the taskbar.

• Select the "Safely remove hardware and Eject Media" icon.

• Eject your external storage.

Note: In modern operating systems, both Windows 10 and Windows 11 have the Quick Removal feature turned on by default. This means you can safely disconnect external storage devices without using the "Safely Remove Hardware" notification icon.

https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/e3062e48-e98e-4777-849b-11b5621a3ad1?platform=QnA"https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/f6ea1c18-08db-47cf-a550-d42eda034620?platform=QnA" title="filestore.community.support.microsoft.com" rel="ugc nofollow">

Let me know if you need more help.

Best regards,

Gunasekar N

Update: It was my notifications, I somehow turned off that notification while trying to get rid of annoying popup for something entirely different. I figured it out when I realized that it was no longer asking me what to do with the device after I plugged it in. Leaving this here just in case it helps someone else.

Hello, I have this issue as well, on my new windows 11 laptop. I have tried everything that I have come across short of resetting my whole laptop. If I right click or left click on the usb in that taskbar hidden icons area, the flash drive disappears from everywhere, and I never get that 'it is safe to remove' popup. I got it a few days ago, but now nothing. both my drives are set to optimized not quick removal and have always been like that. this laptop is only a week old. I finally got all my stuff on it lol, I need that pop up letting me know it's done doing what I was doing. (I work off of the flash drive so I need it to be optimized).

hi

thanks , BUT there is no Eject option in file explorer related to the USB DISK device

hi

thanks , BUT there is no Eject option in file explorer related to the USB DISK device

Hello ezra,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community and I'll be glad to assist you today.

To safely remove the USB external disk,

1. Ensure there are no ongoing transfer processes between your disk and PC.
2. Right-click your USB disk in File Explorer and select Eject.
3. You will receive a notification that it is safe to remove the hardware.

(Example screenshot)

4. Unplug the external hard disk from the PC.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best regards,

Gunasekar N