Cannot release USB3 HDD with safely-remove

[bawldiggle]

I have an external pocket USB3-HDD (spinner) that cannot be "Safely Removed" using Windows default SafelyRemove.
The device behaves the same on other PCs
On the device properties dialog, there is no "Policies" tab.





I am not an expert but ...
:?: is there a problem with the settings (as per above images) ... like the empty "Volumes" page ?

In WinExp context menu there is no "Eject" available for the device,
:?: like WinExp cannot see the drive ? partially ?



The drive is 4 years old and I use it every day for hours on end
- the stock answer will probably be "the device is past its use-by-date"
- BUT I am curious as to what is failing and where or why.
Today I intend getting a replacement
... but I want to learn something more about HDDs (and SSDs ) drives so that I make better informed decisions rather than just assuming any device/machine is irreparably dead.

I would appreciate any knowledgeable feed back, thank you

---------------

SPECS
Lenovo ThinkPad E540
- purchased 10Aug-2015, and not used until 3 weeks ago when I started to commission the PC
- the laptop it is still not in service while I ensure the laptop is well prepared
Win7 PRO x64
Browser: Internet Explorer (only) ... to be eventually usurped with PaleMoon and Firefox
Text Editor: MS-Notepad ... to be eventually usurped with better Text editors
No Office, nor any other apps (yet!)

​

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[bawldiggle]

I have just installed commercial "USBSafelyRemove" (I have used it for years other machines)
... WinExp is alleged cause of the problem

Portable USB Disk Ejector can "eject" but I suspect it is either a brilliant "ejector" or heavy handed (crude) disconnector.