Removing a USB memory stick

[GaryBC]

Hi guys

In older versions of Windows one had to ask nicely before unplugging a memory stick.

This doesn't seem to be the case with W7 - or has the function moved? Currently I'm simply unplugging it when I've finished but I thought I'd best find out if I'm not doing it properly!

 

[fireberd]

I still have the "safely remove hardware and eject media" icon and use it when I remove USB memory sticks.

You may just be lucky. At some point there can be a corruption in the Windows status for the drive and at that point you will have uninstall it in the Device manager, restart Windows and start over to get it working.

 

[wanchoo]

The function is very much there. Look into the hidden Icons if you don't see it in the visible ones.

 

[Katanyavich]

Never use it. Never had a problem.

Just make sure the device isn't being written-to when you remove it.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I use the remove function all the time. I've had corrupt USB drives in the past due to simply removing them, so why take a chance when it is a simple mouse click?

 

[lehnerus2000]

Drive Policies

Check your drive policies in "Device Manager".

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The default policy is "Quick removal".

You should see this icon somewhere.

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[ReviverSoft]

I still have the "safely remove hardware and eject media" icon and use it when I remove USB memory sticks.

Same here. You just need to locate the icon in the Notifications Area.

Few clicks away to Safe Removal.

 

[fseal]

I always set the Safely Remove Hardware notification icon to "Always Show" to make the process a lot faster. You can also right click it in explorer and select "Eject" if you happen to have explorer open.

 

[FliGi7]

I always choose to Safely Remove my removable drives. It's mostly old habit as Windows is now more keen to people's tendencies of just removing drives without doing this so they account for it.

 

[Da Don]

Its safer to look before you take another step in what ever you do while working on ur PC / Lappy ...