Windows 10: safely remove hardware icon disappeared from taskbar.

Currently I have to wrench to usb flash drive to remove it

:)

 

Safely Remove Hardware Icon in Taskbar has disappeared


In searching for a "permanent" solution to the missing taskbar icon for safely removing hardware, I found this rather old thread. (If there is a newer one with better information, please do not consider this post or move it to the appropriate thread).

The following is a "temporary" solution which I have been using for quite a while:

Right click on taskbar.
Click on Task Manager.
In Processes, go down to Windows Explorer.
On the lower right, click on restart.
Exit Task Manager





The icon reappears in the taskbar and remains until the computer is shut down. Unfortunately, (nearly) every time you turn the computer back on, the icon has gone missing again. At any rate, if you don't want to change the registry or add short cuts to the desktop (as in some of the solutions Ztruker has kindly suggested), this is a quick workaround. Naturally, before doing anything else, the icon for "Windows Explorer - Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media" must be turned on in Settings under "Select which icons appear on the taskbar".

Presently, this is in Win 10 Pro version 1709, and previously worked in version 1703.

 

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 disappears


When, while in my user account, I mount two external drives on my pc, the Safely Remove Hardware icon appears in the Taskbar.

If I eject one drive, the Safely Remove Hardware icon often, not always, disappears. The icon is still visible if I click the upward arrow in the Taskbar, but I can't do anything with the icon. How can I now eject the second external drive?

If I log into my administrator account, the Safely Remove Hardware icon is visible in the Taskbar and I can eject the second external drive. I do not really want to have to switch to accounts just to remove the second the drive.

How can I eject more than one external drive without losing the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the Taskbar?