Safely Remove Hardware icon not functioning.

Hi everyone,

I've had this problem for awhile now.

When trying to eject USB devices, the safely remove hardware icon in the notification area doesn't show any connected hardware. For my 4GB USB drive, it isn't a problem, because I can eject it from windows explorer. But my external drive doesn't have this option so I am forced to just unplug it.

I have tried to run "RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll" to stop the device, but I always get the error saying the device is not removable and cannot be unplugged.

I've found this problem in these forums (USB cannot be removed), but the thread is old. It seems that the problem was a changed registry entry relating to a bluetooth USB driver and the solution was to remove that registry entry, but it doesn't point to which specific entry that is.

-padekker

Hello padekker
If you turn on your computer with the external HDD attaced then the OS won't let you remove-it and that's maybe true for the USB stick.
Try to power up your computer before inserting any USB drive.
Good luck

Thanks for the help, but that is not the problem. The USB devices are not connected prior to turning the computer on and this occurs no matter when they are connected. The problem is with a Bluetooth USB driver as was described in the old post. It also doesn't allow me to view the Devices and Printers window.
-padekker

Try this little program:

Safely Remove Hardware better alternative

Hanna 1 said:

If you turn on your computer with the external HDD attaced then the OS won't let you remove-it and that's maybe true for the USB stick.

A computer will definitely allow you to remove these drives. Whether they are present or not when powering on the computer, they are still external drives.

Does your motherboard have any drivers for your specific USB ports? Does this happen with all USB ports...front and back?

Did you try to fix your problem from Microsoft?:

Diagnose and fix Windows USB problems automatically

Hanna 1,

I tried the Microsoft program, but it didn't work. the USB Safely Remove software works and is a great alternative. I was also able to see a hidden and nameless USB Bluetooth device. Disconnecting that device also allowed to me to see the devices and printers menu.

Thank you!
-padekker