Problem Ejecting USB Attached SCSI (UAS) Mass Strorage Device

Question

This is just annoying and frustrating that you have to try over and over again to safely remove portable drives on Windows 11 on an old HP laptop upgraded from WIndows 10 to Windows 11 and on both brand new HP and ASUS Laptops.

"Windows can't stop you Volume device because a program is still using it. Close any programs that might be using the device and then try again later"

IS THERE ANY PERMANENT FIX FOR THIS ISSUE???

If Windows 11 is still full of bugs, then why discontinue Windows 10? Microsoft discontinued Windows 10 to force consumers to purchase brand new laptops/computers running with faulty Windows 11?

Answer 1

Hi James,

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A forum.

The message you're encountering usually appears because background system services (such as file indexing or security scanning) are still accessing the external drive, even after file transfers have finished. This can happen quietly in the background and does not mean the drive or computer is faulty.

Here are some possible checking steps that you can try on your devices:

1 - Turn off indexing for the external drive

• Open File Explorer
• Right‑click the external drive > Properties
• Uncheck “Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed”
• Click Apply and choose Apply changes to all files

2 - Close File Explorer completely

• Make sure no File Explorer windows are open
• Wait a few seconds, then try ejecting again

3 - If eject still fails

• Ensure no files are actively being copied
• It is generally safe to disconnect the drive once activity has fully stopped

Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

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Answer 2

The issue you're experiencing with safely ejecting USB devices in Windows 11 can be frustrating. Unfortunately, there isn't a guaranteed permanent fix for this problem, as it can be caused by various factors, including background processes that may be using the device. Here are some potential workarounds that you can try:

1. Close Applications: Ensure that all applications that might be using the USB device are closed. This includes file explorers, media players, or any software that may access files on the drive.
2. Use Task Manager: Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and check for any processes that might be using the USB device. End those processes if necessary.
3. Disable Fast Startup: Sometimes, the Fast Startup feature can cause issues with USB devices. You can disable it by going to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable > Uncheck "Turn on fast startup".
4. Update Drivers: Ensure that your USB drivers are up to date. You can check for updates in Device Manager.
5. Use the Command Prompt: You can try using the command prompt to force eject the device. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and use the command diskpart, then list volume, and finally select volume X (replace X with your USB volume number) followed by remove.
6. Check for Windows Updates: Make sure your Windows 11 is fully updated, as Microsoft may release fixes for known issues in future updates.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, it may be worth checking online forums or Microsoft's support for further assistance, as user experiences can vary significantly based on hardware and software configurations.

Regarding your concerns about Windows 10 being discontinued, Microsoft typically phases out older versions of Windows to focus on newer technologies and features, but this can lead to frustrations for users who encounter bugs in new releases.

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References:

• Error message when you access a USB storage device after resuming from suspend
• Managing removable devices through Group Policy troubleshooting guidance