Windows 10: Can't safely remove hardware because I can't right click on the icon.

This is such a frustrating issue.


1/4 of the time when I plug in an external device I cannot right click on the safely remove icon, I right click but nothing happens. This forces me to completely shut down my computer just so I can unplug my external HD or USB stick without the risk of corrupting my data.



Does anyone know of a known fix for this?

:)

 

Safely remove hardware icon

Hi Cynthia,

For us to properly isolate the missing "Safely Remove Hardware icon" issue, we would like to know the following:

• Were there any changes made on your computer prior to the issue (e.g., updates, software installation)?
• When did the issue first begin?
• To make sure that we have not missed on anything, what troubleshooting steps have you done so far?

Normally, this icon isn’t missing and it’s most likely hidden in your Taskbar. To reveal this icon, you may click the arrow in the bottom right corner to show more sysbar icons. If it is available, you may pin it to your Taskbar by following the steps below:

• Connect a USB flash drive or any other removable storage to your PC.
• Click the arrow in the bottom right corner to expand the sysbar section.
• Now locate Safely Remove Hardware icon and drag it to your Taskbar.

We look forward to your response.

 

Safely Remove Hardware icon missing


Hi
In the last few days the 'Safely Remove Hardware' icon has gone missing from my Taskbar. Also, if I right-click on the USB stick or USB hard drive in 'This Computer' the Eject option is missing.
In PC Settings/Personalisation/Taskbar/Notification area/Select which icons appear on the taskbar I have 'Always show all icons in the notification area' switched on & all items in the list are in the 'on' state including 'Windows Explorer (Safely Remove Hardware & Eject Media).
Any suggestions?

 

can't find the Safely Remove Hardware icon

I run Win 10 on my HP desktop. My "Safely Remove Hardware" icon disappeared from my TASKBAR recently . I can no longer see the letters for USB keys that I inserted , so I cannot click on one to eject.

In "THIS PC", my icons representing detachable drives disappeared , so I can no longer click on one to see the contents of a USB key or a detachable drive. I looked it up on Virtual Agent :

It said select "show hidden Icons" but I am not given that choice. I clicked Taskbar settings and it did not offer me a solution. Nothing below helped.

• Look for the Safely Remove Hardwareicon on the taskbar. If you don't see it, select Show hidden icons
   . Press and hold (or right-click) the icon and select the hardware you want to remove.
• If you can't find the Safely Remove Hardware
  icon, press and hold (or right-click) the taskbar and select
  Taskbar settings 
  .
• Under Notification Area, choose
  Select which icons appear on the taskbar.
• Scroll to Windows Explorer: Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media
  and turn it on.
• If this doesn't work, make sure the device has stopped all activity like copying or syncing files. Select
  Start
  > Settings
  > Devices. Select the device, and click
  Remove device.
• Finally, check with the hardware manufacturer for new drivers or other updates.
  

None of that helped. Please help me!

JoAn

[Moved from: Windows / Windows 10 / Files, folders, & storage]