disconnecting a USB external drive

[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.

 

[Mike Cawood, HND BIT]

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.

 

[RalfG]

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.

 

[Gary Brandenburg]

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.

 

[Jeff]

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.

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

Jeff

 

[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

 

[Jeff]

Thank you so much. Will do.

Jeff

 

[Gary Brandenburg]

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

~Gary


Thank you so much. Will do.

Jeff