Any way to tell which app is "using" my external drive?

riffwraith · 14 Sep 2014

Hi all. I have an external USB drive that I b/u to every so often. Sometimes, after I the files are done copying, I try to eject it, but can't. I get an error that says "Windows can't stop your device b/c a program is still using it". Thing is, I have already shut down all apps, and I don't see any threads from those apps still running when I look at the TM. Is there any way to tell what is causing Windows to think there is a program still running that is using the device, and which program it is?

Thanks in advance.

Tookeri · 15 Sep 2014

A couple of suggestions here: How to find out what's accessing a particular hard drive on Windows? - Super User

riffwraith · 15 Sep 2014

Cool - will check that out. Thanks!

Callender · 15 Sep 2014

Most times I've seen that happen it's Windows Explorer locking files/ folders on the drive.

You could try killing explorer.exe in Task Manager then still in Task Manager choose "FILE" > "new task" > Run then type explorer.exe

Then try to eject your drive.

Other than that see what's locking it using either of these. I personally make use of both.

http://lockhunter.com/

http://www.novirusthanks.org/products/file-governor/

The second one is more advanced and can scan all files and folders on a drive.

Screenshot:

Any way to tell which app is "using" my external drive?

Any way to tell which app is "using" my external drive?

Files in use