Windows 10: USB stick not ejecting

Hi I am running Windows 10 64bit 20H2 but this problem has been happening for the past few iterations of W10.

Whenever I plug in a USB stick to delete some files and then try to safely eject the stick, I get the pop up message about "the device is currently in use".

The only way to safely eject the stick is to shut down/restart my computer.

I have tried waiting about 15 mins before trying to eject it again but I get the same locked problem.

Anyone else experiencing this?



:)

 

Eject options inconsistent between USB stick and USB external drive - Windows 10

When I want to eject a USB stick I can do it 2 different ways (a) by clicking on the 'Safely remove hardware and eject media' icon in the notification area of the taskbar and selecting the device (b) in File Explorer by right mouse button on the drive letter
for the USB stick and clicking the Eject option

When I want to eject a USB external drive I only have one option, by clicking on the 'Safely remove hardware and eject media' icon in the notification area of the taskbar and selecting the device. In File Explorer if I right mouse button on the drive letter
for the USB external drive, there is no Eject option in the list of options.

Since I am usually in File Explorer when I have either a USB stick or a USB external drive plugged in, it is most natural to me to want to eject from within File Explorer after I have finished with the USB device.

Is there any way to 'switch on' an 'Eject' option within File Explorer for a USB external drive ?

Ron

PS this is true for both Windows 10 Home 32 bit and Windows 10 Pro 64 bit

 

ejecting a usb drive in 10

Hi Walden,



I realize the inconvenience you are experiencing with accessing Safely Remove and Eject Media USB icon on the taskbar.



To assist you better, please provide us the below information:

• When you say that "not I can not get it to show up in bottom right lower", are you referring that you are not able to see the Eject USB icon under the show hidden icons?
  

I suggest you to follow the steps below to understand the system

1. Click on Search bar.

2. Then type "Select which icons appear on the taskbar" without the quotes in the search bar and click on it.

3. Turn on Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon.

Reply to us with the information, so that we can assist you better.



Please get back to us with an update on issue, we will be happy to help.



Thank you.

 

USB stick problem

I can't guarantee that it is the exact reason why your USB stick is having problem but that's one of the reasons why this issue happens. I suggest to always use the "Safely remove hardware and eject media" option in your system tray before unplugging your
USB stick or any external drives. This issue happens to me in the past due to removing my external drive improperly and it cost me lot of time and effort to get it back up and running so by ejecting it properly might prevent the issue from happening.

Since the issue follows your USB stick on another computer, then the problem is from the USB stick itself and not the computer.

There are some ways to recover your files but that involves a 3rd-party program which is mostly paid application, but still it is not a guarantee that it will be able to retrieve your files. If the files are not that important, i suggest to continue with formatting
your USB stick. If the issue stills occurs even after formatting, then most probably your USB stick is already faulty.

I hope these information helps.