Windows 10: Cannot safely remove external HDD

Discus and support Cannot safely remove external HDD in Windows 10 Ask Insider to solve the problem; I am trying to remove my WD Passport, I am using Windows 10, but also fairly new to it. I am trying to eject it by using the option on the task bar,... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Ask Insider' started by /u/Mitzybitz, Jun 29, 2020.

  1. /U/MITZYBITZ
    /u/Mitzybitz Win User

    Cannot safely remove external HDD


    I am trying to remove my WD Passport, I am using Windows 10, but also fairly new to it. I am trying to eject it by using the option on the task bar, but get the error message:

    'This device is currently in use. Close any programs or Windows that might be using the device and try again'

    There are no programs running, and I have tried ejecting it many times now with the same error. I know you should not just unplug this, and it has all my photos and videos on it, so very worried to lose it all.

    I have used and removed this HDD a few time before on this laptop and never had this problem.

    Upon googling it seems to be a common problem but the solutions seem somewhat complex for me along with me being a naturally over worrying person.

    I checked the properties and it is set to the default quick removal option (disables write caching) but can be removed without using the safely remove hardware option. But as I have no clue what write caching is, I am still hesitate to just unplug it.

    Can anybody help?

    submitted by /u/Mitzybitz
    [link] [comments]

    :)
     
    /u/Mitzybitz, Jun 29, 2020
    #1
  2. LOPEDOGGIE
    lopedoggie Win User

    Cannot Safely Remove External Drives


    Open Device Manager, find "disk drives" and your "external drive" in the list of devices, uninstall the driver for your hard drive and then you can safely remove it. The device driver for your external drive "SHOULD" reinstall automatically next time you want to use the drive.
     
    lopedoggie, Jun 29, 2020
    #2
  3. NYIMA YONTEN
    Nyima Yonten Win User
    Safely Remove Hardware - Windows 10

    Hi Grant,

    Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

    I understand that you have concern about the how to safely removal of external device from Windows 10. I apologize for the inconvenience caused to you.

    I suggest you to provide you valuable suggestion in the feedback app.

    1. Click on Search bar.

    2. Type "Windows Feedback" without the quotes in the search bar and click on it.

    3. Then provide your suggestion.

    We can also removely safely the external pen drives or external hard drive through below steps.

    1. Open File Explorer.

    2. It will show the list of Drives available on the computer, then right click on the external drive which you want to remove safely.

    3. The click on Eject option from the list.

    Let us know if you need any further assistance on Windows related issues and we will be glad to help.
     
    Nyima Yonten, Jun 29, 2020
    #3
  4. PAULSALTER
    paulsalter Win User

    Cannot safely remove external HDD

    Cannot Safely Remove External Drives


    think this option is still in 10, what is this set to for the drive properties?


    Cannot safely remove external HDD [​IMG]
     
    paulsalter, Jun 29, 2020
    #4
Thema:

Cannot safely remove external HDD

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