Solved Trouble ejecting WD external hard drive

curt jugg

New Member
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I have a new Windows 8.1 PC and an even newer WD My Book Essential External Hard Drive. I often find it difficult to eject the latter from my computer. Just now, for example, I tried to eject it and received the message “This device is currently in use. Close any programs or windows that might be using the device and then try again.” The trouble is, there don't seem to be any programs active, and indeed task manager showed “There are no running apps.” After some online research I downloaded Microsoft's Process Explorer and searched for the external drive but this showed simply “0 matching items.” Can anyone suggest what the problem could be, please?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
Hi curt jugg!


It's a very peculiar problem you have. Generally, if you're using the Safely remove hardware option you shouldn't have any concerns.
This is Window's built in safely eject solution. But sometimes it's possible that it will tell you that it's not safe or that this device is currently in use. It won't tell you which application's using the device which makes it a lot harder to fix. Though, you could guess and try a few things.
Close every Windows Explorer windows and every program that may be using a file from the external device. This includes the antivirus and any applications on the Taskbar. Then safely eject.
Check if you have Indexing turned off on your drive by right clicking on it and choosing Properties. If it's on, turn it off, see if that works.
You could also shut down the PC completely, or log off and then log on, and after it eject the drive. But this takes more time and can be quite annoying. But sometimes such an error is just a temporary glitch occurring perhaps with no important reason and the restart/log off option is the best approach.


If none of this works for you, you could follow the advices for a third party software from this Microsoft article:
Problem Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device


I hope I've helped!
Cheers and best of luck!


CK_WD
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows
Check this option in device manager
If it's still set as default there is no need to use the Safely Remove Hardware

External HD.PNG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3521
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon
    Browser
    IE
Thanks for your helpful replies, CK and Paul.
I have tried Process Explorer without much success. "Safely remove hardware" is where I get stuck: it won't eject. Logging off and on seems to do the trick, though it has failed once. As I do have the "Quick removal" option set as default in "Device Manager", I think I'll just use the power button to turn the drive off in future. The user manual does indicate that it's safe to do so.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
Hi curt,

I am sorry we couldn't find a more convenient solution for your problem.
I could suggest you two more options though:

- Try running this microsoft tool to diagnose and fix Windows USB problems

Diagnose and fix Windows USB problems automatically

- Try restoring your OS to a point of last known good configuration, it may work.

Despite that, what @paulslater said is so; you don't need to use the Safely remove hardware if you have the Quick removal marked.

Best of luck!
CK_WD
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows
Thanks for coming back on this, CK. I tried the link you suggested but it doesn't seem to apply to Windows 8.1: it has a note saying, "We're sorry, but your operating system is not supported by Microsoft Fix it at this time". I have tried System Restore also without success. But, as you and Paul said, I have Quick Removal selected so it doesn't really matter if Safely Remove Hardware doesn't work; I'll just use the power button.
Cheers
Curt
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
You're welcome curt,
Yeah, you shouldn't have a problem using the power button,
all the best!


CK_WD
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows
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