Applies ToWindows 11 Windows 10

To avoid losing data, it's important to remove hardware devices like USB flash drives or external hard drives safely. To safely remove a hardware device, select the desired method from the following list:

  1. In the system tray area of the taskbar, right-click on the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon. If the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon isn't visible, select Show hidden icons first, and then right-click the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon.How to find the Safely Remove Hardware icon in Windows 11.

    Tip: If the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon still isn't visible after selecting Show hidden icons , then see the section Add the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon to the system tray in this article to add it to the system tray.

  2. In the menu that pops up, select Eject <device> for the hardware device that needs to be removed.

  3. The notification Safe To Remove Hardware displays and the hardware device disappears from the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media menu. The hardware device can be safely removed.

Add the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon to the system tray

If the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon still isn't visible after selecting Show hidden icons , then use the following steps to make it visible:

  1. Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. Or Select the following Personalization > Taskbar shortcut:Open Personalization > Taskbar

  2. In the Personalization > Taskbar window, select the Other system tray icons section to expand it.

  3. Scroll through the list and find Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media.

  4. Make sure Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media is switched On.

  5. The Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon should now appear in the system tray area of the taskbar.

Notes: The Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon might not appear in the system tray area of the taskbar in the following circumstances:

  • A removable hardware device isn't connected to the Windows device.

  • The Window device doesn't recognize the hardware device that needs to be removed.

  1. Select Start and then select Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices . Or Select the following Bluetooth & devices > Devices shortcut:Open Bluetooth & devices > Devices

  2. In the Bluetooth & devices > Devices shortcut window, under the Other devices section, find the hardware device that needs to be removed.

  3. Once the desired hardware device is found, select it to expand it.

  4. Next to Remove this device, select the Remove button. Make sure the Remove button being selected is the one immediately below the hardware device that needs to be removed.

  5. Once the hardware device disappears from the Other devices section, it can be safely removed.

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.