Windows 10: Issues with safe to remove hardware after the 2018 October Update

Hello after the latest Win 10 update the safe to remove hardware button is no longer working correctly. My computer will read whatever device I have plugged into the usb and I can make changes to whatever I am looking at but when I am done either the safe to remove icon is missing completely or the safe to remove button is grayed out and doesn't show the device I have connected as an option to safely remove in both cases right clicking from the file explorer on the device does not offer the eject option in the drop down menu either.


I know that the devices I am using normally are able to be safely removed because I still have a Windows 8 laptop and when the same devices are plugged into it they work and the safe to remove icon appears and everything works normally. I also know that this started happening after the last update because I had purchased a new back-up drive the same day as I updated my computer and before I updated I added some things to the new drive and the safe to remove icon worked as it normally does. After the update the drive as well as all my other usb connected devices stopped working with the safe to remove icon as I have described.


I have already run the troubleshoot function on my computer which updated some of my drivers but the problem persists. I have also made sure that all notifications are allowed on my laptop as I have read that can cause problems like this.

I know that in theory the safe to remove function isn't necessary but I don't want to accidentally corrupt my files and I worry that the fact that they brought up the safe to remove icon before now and still do so on my older laptop means that the devices need to be safely removed.

Has anyone else run across something like this?



Cheers,

Book Baking Geek

:)

 

Safely Remove Hardware tool

Thank you for the update, Murray. Since you mentioned that you've already tried running the rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll command to no avail, we suggest that you create a shortcut or even a batch file using the same command. Just run
the shortcut or batch file and see if the Safely Remove Hardware dialog window will appear. To create a shortcut, follow these steps:

• Right-click on the desktop and click on New > Shortcut.
• In the Type the location of the item box, type in, or copy and paste the following command:
  • rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll
• Click Next and then give it a name like Safely Remove Hardware, and then click on
  Finish.

Keep us in the loop.

 

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 - 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.