Windows 10: Can't Eject External Drive - Device In Use

Windows will not allow me to eject my Samsung D# external hard drive. When I right go to the system tray and click/eject it always gives the error "This device is in use. Close any programes that are using the device then try again. Actually I am not using the drive. The only way I can remove the drive is to turn off the computer or unmount the drive from Disk management which is very annoying.


How can I fix this error? I have copied the event viewer log below, but have no idea how to solve the problem. Your advice would be appreciated.


Kind regards

Chris


Event viewer log:


Log Name: System

Source: Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-PnP

Date: 18/08/2020 17:29:14

Event ID: 225

Task Category: 223

Level: Warning

Keywords:

User: SYSTEM

Computer: Chris-PC

Description:

The application \Device\HarddiskVolume2\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\4.18.2008.4-0\MsMpEng.exe with process id 5116 stopped the removal or ejection for the device USB\VID_04E8&PID_6126\00000000011E0A49.

Event Xml:

<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">

<System>

<Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-PnP" Guid="{9c205a39-1250-487d-abd7-e831c6290539}" />

<EventID>225</EventID>

<Version>0</Version>

<Level>3</Level>

<Task>223</Task>

<Opcode>0</Opcode>

<Keywords>0x8000000000000000</Keywords>

<TimeCreated SystemTime="2020-08-18T14:29:14.1063181Z" />

<EventRecordID>11987</EventRecordID>

<Correlation />

<Execution ProcessID="4" ThreadID="9244" />

<Channel>System</Channel>

<Computer>Chris-PC</Computer>

<Security UserID="S-1-5-18" />

</System>

<EventData>

<Data Name="ProcessId">5116</Data>

<Data Name="ProcessNameLength">97</Data>

<Data Name="ProcessName">\Device\HarddiskVolume2\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\4.18.2008.4-0\MsMpEng.exe</Data>

<Data Name="DeviceInstanceLength">38</Data>

<Data Name="DeviceInstance">USB\VID_04E8&amp;PID_6126\00000000011E0A49</Data>

</EventData>

</Event>

:)

 

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

Hi,



Before we proceed, I need more information to help you better.

• 
  Have you tried connecting different external drive?
  
• 
  Do you face the same issue with different external drive?
  

As a work around , I suggest you to connect different external drive to your system and check whether will you get the option to Eject from File explorer or not.

And also try connecting same external drive to different system and check if the issue persist.



Reply with necessary information so that can assist you better.

 

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

 

how eject external drive

Where is "eject external drive" located and is it really necessary?