Windows 10: Why Can't Windows TELL us What Programs are Using Devices?

Discus and support Why Can't Windows TELL us What Programs are Using Devices? in Windows 10 Drivers and Hardware to solve the problem; So I use my Android phone for the very noble purpose of debugging Visual Basic software. The emulators run like garbage so I'm fine with hooking up my... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Drivers and Hardware' started by Lobster_Emperor, Feb 9, 2020.

  1. LOBSTER_EMPEROR
    Lobster_Emperor Win User

    Why Can't Windows TELL us What Programs are Using Devices?


    So I use my Android phone for the very noble purpose of debugging Visual Basic software. The emulators run like garbage so I'm fine with hooking up my phone.


    Of course, once I'm done debugging, I need to disconnect my phone, since it being hooked up to my PC kinda defeats the purpose. When I try to disconnect? This bad boy pops up:

    Why Can't Windows TELL us What Programs are Using Devices? a0166be3-5d2c-4367-95f9-df7c102f7b45?upload=true.png

    We've all seen it. We all hate it. So I go into options and try to remove my device from there:

    Why Can't Windows TELL us What Programs are Using Devices? 1e3b52ce-a03e-461d-a66e-62c59efc95f5?upload=true.png

    And we get this instead.

    So I close Visual Studio and try again, same thing, error messages. In the end, I have to go into my Android and turn off the ability to debug from a USB in order to safely free my phone from the hostage situation.


    Now here's the question on everyone's lips. Why can't Windows TELL US which programs are still using our devices. The same stuff happens for USBs and external hard drives too. We try to disconnect it and Windows politely and vaguely informs us that something is still using it, before sending us on a scavenger hunt to find out what's still using it.


    It's really tiresome. Windows KNOWS which programs are using the device, it has to in order to give us the error in the first place. But it doesn'ttell us what the program is so we can close it, or even better, offers to close the programs for you. For some reason it decides that the best option is to go Dora the Explorer on us and go "Can you find the program that's still using the device?"


    PLEASE Microsoft, make these dumb error messages actually helpful and tell us exactly what programs are using our devices! Or even better, tell us what programs are using our devices and then offer to close them for us!

    :)
     
    Lobster_Emperor, Feb 9, 2020
    #1
  2. SMARTALI89
    smartali89 Win User

    Why did the startup window get cleared?

    I didn't missed any step, the list was gone and gone , even after using lot of programs the programs were not listed in that list.
     
    smartali89, Feb 9, 2020
    #2
  3. MOXIEMOMMA
    MoxieMomma Win User
    New FF - passwords


    Hi:

    If that setting is already enabled, then I suggest as the next troubleshooting step might be Mozilla Safe Mode (not to be confused with Windows Safe Mode)):

    Troubleshoot Firefox issues using Safe Mode | Firefox Help


    • Please report back and let us know the outcome, as it will dictate the next steps.
    • Also: please tell us what AV/AM/firewall programs are you running on this system?

    Thanks,
    MM
     
    MoxieMomma, Feb 9, 2020
    #3
  4. VENTUSIGNIS
    ventusignis Win User

    Why Can't Windows TELL us What Programs are Using Devices?

    Add Remove Programs in Windows XP doesn't finish loading program list?!

    Add Remove Programs in Windows XP doesn't finish loading the program list (It never even starts displaying any programs) and I believe it may be that a uninstall program messed up completely and Windows can't figure out what programs are installed because of it. What is the problem? Please?
     
    ventusignis, Feb 9, 2020
    #4
Thema:

Why Can't Windows TELL us What Programs are Using Devices?

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