Disconnecting external USB disks

bonzodog2

Many times, when I try to disconnect an external drive (by clicking the safely remove hardware icon), Windows gives me an error message, saying something like "Generic USB device could not be removed at this time, please try later". Sometimes it just works first time, sometimes it takes a few attempts. Ido, of course, make sure there are no explorer windows open on the drive in question, or DOS-prompt windows with the current directory open on that drive, or programs accessing that drive.
Any ideas on what might cause this ?

Keano

Tbh for smaller capacity usb drives I just pull them out. Not a great idea for larger drives if you have a lot of stuff to lose.

IrishTonyO

if anything is being written or read from the drive, you will get that error. Or if any program is using a file on the drive likewise. (e.g. Media player is open etc....)

zodac

It does sound like one of the files are being used when you're trying to remove it.

But as above, just pull it out; I've neever "safely" removed a USB or ext Hard Drive and I'm yet to lose any files because of it.

danjo-xx

Or wait till you Shut Down and then pull it out.