So annoying, yes?
Got this question the other day:
“Hey…you ever figure out what was hanging up that Western Digital Passport (external drive) that your client wanted to disconnect? My 500GB can’t be “safely removed” without me turning off my system. Whats up with that?”
It’s ok to get that error. The default removal policy for external hard drives is Quick Removal which disables write caching on the device and in Windows. So you don’t need to use the “safely remove” and yes, you’ll still get the message. Lame, huh?
See for yourself by double checking the device properties:
First, Open Computer:
Right Click on C: drive, Go to Properties. Next Click on Hardware tab and select your disk drive. Click on Properties box.
Click on Policies tab. There it is. Should be defaulted on external drives to Quick Removal.
UPDATE:
If you don’t have a Policies tab, you should have a Change settings button (see it at the bottom left hand side of the device properties box), yes?
Click on it! And now the Policies tab appears:
May 6, 2013 at 7:59 pm
and then what, simply manually take out the USB?
May 7, 2013 at 1:02 pm
Make sure you aren’t using any files on the USB and simply remove it.
January 11, 2013 at 5:23 pm
for those who say they don’t have a policies tab or don’t see the “change settings”, right click on your device icon after opening “devices and printers”, click on the “hardware” tab, select your usb device under “device functions” (in my case it’s WD Book), click “properties”, then you’ll see the “change settings” button on the bottom left, then click on the “Policies” tab.
December 21, 2012 at 6:38 pm
What happens if “Better Performance” is highlighted?? How can you change it? It won’t let me change the setting.
December 22, 2012 at 6:51 am
1. Refer to the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article to disable Disk Write caching manually:
HOW TO: Manually Enable/Disable Disk Write Caching
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;259716
2. You can try the Dskcache.exe Tool “dskcache -w” to clean the “Power Protected” Write Cache option.
Obtain the Dskcache.exe tool to configure the “Power Protected” Write Cache option
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=811392
December 4, 2012 at 4:52 am
I don’t have a policies tab like many other people say they don’t either!!!!!!
December 4, 2012 at 5:55 am
Check out updated post. Did that work for you?
December 4, 2012 at 4:51 am
I DON’T HAVE A ‘POLICIES’ TAB NOR DO I HAVE A ‘QUICK REMOVAL’ OPTION AND I HAVE THIS ERROR WITH MY HP FLASH DRIVE!!! NOTHING IS WORKING!!! ANY IDEAS???????
September 20, 2012 at 8:08 pm
Thank you!
August 29, 2012 at 2:27 pm
I don’t have a policies tab
September 29, 2012 at 4:33 am
When you’re on the General tab you need to click on the “Change Settings” button in order for the Policies Tab to appear. This will relaunch the Device Properties window and it will now include the Policies tab. However, this really only informs you that “Quick removal” is already set to default therefore you can simply just unplug your drive without using the Safely Remove Hardware option on your task bar. In other words you don’t have to change any settings.
September 29, 2012 at 6:52 am
My instructions are for Windows 7 Pro and XP Pro. Not sure what operating system you are using for a “General tab you need to click on the “Change Settings” button in order for the Policies Tab to appear.”
October 18, 2012 at 10:38 am
This is correct.
May 7, 2012 at 6:46 am
Just click on “Change settings” button if you don’t see a policies tab.
May 7, 2012 at 7:18 am
Change settings button is located… where?
May 5, 2012 at 7:55 am
I don’t have a policies tab :/
December 2, 2011 at 9:47 am
Relevant
http://lifehacker.com/5863810/do-i-really-need-to-eject-usb-drives-before-removing-them
You can also use Process Explorer, click Find, Find Handle, Put in the drive letter with the “:” and click search to try to locate what is being held open.
Also sometimes just a log off and back on instead of a shut down will let you eject it.
Batman
December 2, 2011 at 10:15 am
Yea, I would reboot, but these backup drives are on SERVERS.