📎 AI Summary:
In this WindowsForum thread, the original poster, Trevor, inquires about why his 1GB USB hard drive does not offer the safe removal option, unlike other devices. Contributors discuss potential causes, including power sources and device settings, with one suggesting that "safe removal required" being set to true typically means safe removal should be necessary; Trevor confirms this setting is enabled. The overall sentiment is that safe removal may not be available or necessary for certain drives, especially if they are hot-swappable or do not require safe removal, leading to some ambiguity about whether the feature should appear in his case.
T

Trevor Condon

Active Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2013
Messages
7
Thread Author #1
With all other devices I am given the option to safely eject before removal. However with my 1G USB hard drive I am not given this option. I'd be grateful if anyone knows a way around this. Thanks.
 

Solution
T
Yes all good! Apologies Saltgrass, originally I read your post wrong and was looking for Policies on the Device Manager list but not in Disk Drives where I've now found it as per badrobot's pic; sloppy work on my behalf. In details it says Safe Removal - Value - true, but I think I originally checked a box to make it that way (if that makes sense). Yes badrobot I get the same result - Quick removal. Problem solved thanks guys!
Sort by date Sort by votes
Saltgrass

Saltgrass

Excellent Member
Microsoft Community Contributor
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
15,153
#3
There are two things you might check for the drive in the Device Manager. Look at the properties and the Policies tab. which boxes are checked?

Also look at the Details tab, and select "Safe removal required" from the drop down menu. What does it say?
 

Upvote 0 Downvote
T

Trevor Condon

Active Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2013
Messages
7
Thread Author #4
Bassfisher: no, it doesn't. Saltgrass: unfortunately those options do not appear in Device Manager.
 

Upvote 0 Downvote
Saltgrass

Saltgrass

Excellent Member
Microsoft Community Contributor
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
15,153
#5
Trevor Condon said:
Bassfisher: no, it doesn't. Saltgrass: unfortunately those options do not appear in Device Manager.
Click to expand...
So you don't have at least the designation shown in the attachment?
 

Attachments

  • Safe Removal.webp
    Safe Removal.webp
    24.3 KB · Views: 2,195
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

Trevor Condon

Active Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2013
Messages
7
Thread Author #6
Yes I'm sorry there is a 'disk drive' option. But I've checked 'safe removal required' and yet still it will not allow me to do that.
 

Upvote 0 Downvote
Saltgrass

Saltgrass

Excellent Member
Microsoft Community Contributor
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
15,153
#7
If it says a Safe Removal is not required, then that is how it works. There are some devices, such as memory cards in a USB reader, if you safe remove them, it messes up the USB port.

Basically it is looking at whether you have data that might be accessed or, as Bassfisher mentions, if it has its own power supply so it doesn't get a power interruption during the disconnect. As you can see, my external drive does not require a safe removal.
 

Upvote 0 Downvote
T

Trevor Condon

Active Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2013
Messages
7
Thread Author #8
But whereas yours says Value - false, mine says Value - true. Therefore safe removal is required?
 

Upvote 0 Downvote
badrobot

badrobot

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
1,008
#9
Not all USB drives needed to be "safely removed" especially if you have hot-swappable drives where once an appropriate software is installed, a user can plug and unplug the component without interruption to the system. You may also want to check this out:

An image from 'Unable to safely eject external hard drive'. Windows Device Manager showing Kingston USB device properties with removal policy options.
 

Last edited by a moderator:
Upvote 0 Downvote
Saltgrass

Saltgrass

Excellent Member
Microsoft Community Contributor
Joined
Oct 16, 2009
Messages
15,153
#10
Trevor Condon said:
But I've checked 'safe removal required' and yet still it will not allow me to do that.
Click to expand...
Do you mean you looked at the setting and it shows Safe Removal as true, or you are using some checkbox to all safe removal?

I have checked all of my external drives and they all show safe removal as "false", but I do get the safe removal option in the hidden icons section on the Taskbar.

All of my devices, an external caddy and two externals, show the drive also under the Disk Drives section where it does have Policies tab I mentioned earlier but you stated you did not show any drives in that section.

The only other thing I would check is the USB controllers section in the Device Manager. When you plug something in you may get a Mass Storage entry. Mine just shows the same as the Portable device, but you might check yours.

You might give us the model of your External Drive so we can check.
 

Upvote 0 Downvote
T

Trevor Condon

Active Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2013
Messages
7
Thread Author #11
Yes all good! Apologies Saltgrass, originally I read your post wrong and was looking for Policies on the Device Manager list but not in Disk Drives where I've now found it as per badrobot's pic; sloppy work on my behalf. In details it says Safe Removal - Value - true, but I think I originally checked a box to make it that way (if that makes sense). Yes badrobot I get the same result - Quick removal. Problem solved thanks guys!
 

Upvote 1 Downvote
Solution
J

John Hanson

Banned
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
1
#12
Saltgrass said:
If it says a Safe Removal is not required, then that is how it works. There are some devices, such as memory cards in a USB reader, if you safe remove them, it messes up the USB port.

Basically it is looking at whether you have data that might be accessed or, as Bassfisher mentions, if it has its own power supply so it doesn't get a power interruption during the disconnect. As you can see, my external drive does not require a safe removal.
Click to expand...

I bricked my flash drive once because forgot to safely remove it :D
 

Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.