disconnecting a USB external drive

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jeff
  • Start date Start date
J

Jeff

I have a USB external hard drive which I use for backups. When I am
finished I would like to disconnect it from my laptop. However when I
click on the icon on the taskbar to safely disconnect it I get a message
that says "cannot disconnect generic ext drive ....., try later". I
assume it might have not finished some delayed writing and therefore
wait. But I keep being unable to safely disconnect the USB drive even
when I come back later and am sure there is no more writing going on.

What is going on and how do I get to disconnect my external drive in a
timely manner?

Thanks.
 
Jeff said:
I have a USB external hard drive which I use for backups. When I am
finished I would like to disconnect it from my laptop. However when I click
on the icon on the taskbar to safely disconnect it I get a message that
says "cannot disconnect generic ext drive ....., try later". I assume it
might have not finished some delayed writing and therefore wait. But I
keep being unable to safely disconnect the USB drive even when I come back
later and am sure there is no more writing going on.

What is going on and how do I get to disconnect my external drive in a
timely manner?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
That drive will be open by some application or by Windows Explorer.
Make sure you close down any application & make sure Windows Explorer is not
focussed on that drive.
Regards Mike.
 
That includes the recycle bin if any files from the USB drive are in there.
It could also be included in the Media Player/Center monitored folders list.
 
Jeff-
Go to My Computer/right click on the external hdd/properties. Click on the Hardware
tab & locate the drive-doubleclick on it & then click on the Policies tab/tick the
"optimize for quick removal" then OK then Apply & OK your way out.

~Gary


I have a USB external hard drive which I use for backups. When I am
finished I would like to disconnect it from my laptop. However when I
click on the icon on the taskbar to safely disconnect it I get a message
that says "cannot disconnect generic ext drive ....., try later". I
assume it might have not finished some delayed writing and therefore
wait. But I keep being unable to safely disconnect the USB drive even
when I come back later and am sure there is no more writing going on.

What is going on and how do I get to disconnect my external drive in a
timely manner?

Thanks.
 
That drive will be open by some application or by Windows Explorer.
Make sure you close down any application & make sure Windows Explorer
is not focussed on that drive.
Regards Mike.
Click to expand...

I did close everything but maybe Windows Explorer was still "focussed"
on that drive. I'll look into that.

Jeff
 
Aha! The recycle bin might be at fault - and (because it contains
photos, etc. and when I first attach it to the PC the Windows popup up
comes on asking me if I want to use this or that media player) that too
may also be "focussed" on it even though I had replied no.

How does one "unfocus" an application?

Jeff
 
You're welcome, Jeff
Hope it does the trick!

~Gary


Thank you so much. Will do.

Jeff
 
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