External HDD "this device is currently in use"

[khazad]

Yesterday i was doing a backup of my pc, and i've been moving like 2tb of files to my external hdd, when i've finished i wanted to safely remove it, but it pops up a window saying "This device is currently in use".

 

So i turned off my pc, today i wanted to remove again, and it still shows me the message.

 

Is there any other way to safely remove it?

[weed]

I dont think there is, try closing all the windows and close of the processes in the task manager which you think would use your external HDD and try again if that does not work then try pulling it out manually and pray to god it wont corrupt your files

[khazad]

Just now, weed said:

try pulling it out manually and pray to god it wont corrupt your files

I won't try this, there's too many important files that i don't wanna lose. I'll try closing the explorer.

[weed]

Just now, khazad said:

I won't try this, there's too many important files that i don't wanna lose. I'll try closing the explorer.

You could try putting in another HDD and try it on that one, i know how it feels to move 2tb but it looks like the only option 

[ProjectBox153]

Do you feel the drive clicking? If not, it's (relatively) safe to unplug. That's what I have to do everyday. 

[khazad]

27 minutes ago, Jamiec1130 said:

Do you feel the drive clicking? If not, it's (relatively) safe to unplug. That's what I have to do everyday. 

Yes i can click on it, that's why it pops up that message

[ProjectBox153]

29 minutes ago, khazad said:

Yes i can click on it, that's why it pops up that message

No, when you hold the drive, do you feel any clicking? 

[khazad]

1 hour ago, Jamiec1130 said:

No, when you hold the drive, do you feel any clicking? 

Ah you mean if it's moving? um i don't think so, the light of the HDD turns off after a few minutes if the drive is not being used.

[ProjectBox153]

1 hour ago, khazad said:

Ah you mean if it's moving? um i don't think so, the light of the HDD turns off after a few minutes if the drive is not being used.

If the light has turned off, and you can’t feel it moving or hear it clicking, the. You are fine to remove it. That means the system isn’t using it. 

[rennygt3]

I experience this too. 

i found a solution that i do everytime.

1.run command prompt

2. type in shutdown [space] [drive letter:]

3. type in exit and hit enter quickly.

4. quickly click eject for the drive.

 

if it doesnt work, try again but faster.

*note: the collen : should be necessary. i do it everytime.

* the shutdown command doesnt shutdown the drive. it prepares for proper local or remote shutdown of the drive.

[khazad]

36 minutes ago, rennygt3 said:

I experience this too. 

i found a solution that i do everytime.

1.run command prompt

2. type in shutdown [space] [drive letter:]

3. type in exit and hit enter quickly.

4. quickly click eject for the drive.

 

if it doesnt work, try again but faster.

*note: the collen : should be necessary. i do it everytime.

* the shutdown command doesnt shutdown the drive. it prepares for proper local or remote shutdown of the drive.

Already found a solution, i opened and closed a txt file, and then it removed safely.

[dizmo]

It won't hurt it if you just pull the USB plug out, and it's not writing data.

I do it all the time with my WD drive...in fact, it has no "safely remove" option.

You're just being paranoid.