Windows 10: External device fails to trigger "Eject Media" taskbar icon

Windows 10 is doing something small and seemingly harmless that nevertheless bugs me, and I'm wondering if anyone here has thoughts as to how I might fix it?

Usually, when I plug an external device into my laptop's USB port (thumb drive, burner, backup drive, media player, phone, etc), a tiny "Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media" icon appears in the corner of my taskbar:





(Right-clicking on the icon allows the device to be unplugged safely.)

But yesterday I got a new device—an iPod Touch—that, when plugged into the USB port, doesn't trigger the "Eject Media" icon. Windows IS seeing the device, because the device shows up in iTunes. However, the icon is missing from the taskbar.

Any ideas as to why this one device, out of ALL the external devices I own, fails to evoke the "Eject Media" icon? Windows' taskbar settings haven't yielded any clues.

Thanks!

:)

 

Missing Eject in "Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media" List

Hi Tze Lin Wong,

The configuration to this can be found under settings. To enable this feature follow these steps:

1. Right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar settings.
   
2. Under Notification Area, choose
   Select which icons appear on the taskbar.
3. Scroll to Windows Explorer: Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media
   and turn it on.

If this doesn't work, I suggest that you check with your USB drive manufacturer for new drivers or other updates.

All the best.

 

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.

 

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