In Windows 11, do you have to safely eject a mass storage device or can you just unplug it?


My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8655Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built 2013
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    ROG SupremeFX Formula 8-Channel High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Touch Screen Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list. OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / Mx Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    2000/500Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
    TP-Link BE9300 WiFi 7 Bluetooth 5.4 (Archer TBE550E)
    TP-Link TX201 V1 2.5GB Lan

    Grandstream HT812 - VoIP
    ASUS DSL-AX82U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-AC68U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-BE88U Router

    Brother MFC-L2880DW Printer

    I’m on a horse.
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8655 (Wifes)13th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-1340P Process...16GB LPDDR5-52001x Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8655 (Wifes)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7 14IRL8 - Type 82YL
    CPU
    13th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-1340P Processor(Core™ i5-1340P)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5-5200
    Graphics card(s)
    1x Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512 GB SSD PCIe
    Mouse
    Logiteck MX Master 3S
    Internet Speed
    2000/500
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.


    Wireless Network: Wi-Fi 6E 2x2 AX; Bluetooth® 5.1 or above
    Ports: 1x 1 Novo button; 2 in 1 Audio Combo jack; Micro SD Card Reader; HDMI 1.4b; 2 x USB Type-C (TBT4)
    USB 3.2 Gen 2 DP 1.4a
    PD 3.0); 1 x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type A
    Camera
    1x 1080P FHD IR/RGB Hybrid with Privacy Shutter and Dual Array Microphone
    Graphics
    1x Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
    Monitor
    14" WUXGA
    Form Factor
    Convertible Notebook
  • Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8655 (Wifes)

    Yoga 7 2-in-1 14IML9 - Type 83DJ

    Processor: Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 155H Processor(Core™ Ultra 7 155H)

    Memory: 32GB LPD5X-7467

    Hard Drive: 1 TB SSD PCIe

    Wireless Network: 1x Wi-Fi 6E 2x2 AX; Bluetooth® 5.1 or above

    Ports: 1 x HDMI 2.1 TMDS; 1 x Novo Button; 1 x Combo Audio Jack
    2 x USB-C (USB 4.0)
    1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1

    Camera: 1080P FHD IR Hybrid with Dual Microphone

    Graphics: Intel® Arc™ Graphics

    Monitor: 14" 2.8K

    ...Where's my horse?
DO NOT use exFAT for an SSD in Windows. Windows does not by default support TRIM for exFAT formatted SSDs.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)Intel i7-14650HX32 GBNo GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    OS
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acemagic
    CPU
    Intel i7-14650HX
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    No GPU - Built-in Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Varies as machine will often be moved to locations with different monitors
    Screen Resolution
    Varies
    Hard Drives
    1 x 1TB Gen 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    120W Power Brick
    Keyboard
    Corsair K70 Max RGB Magnetic Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1 Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)Intel i7-1255U16 GBIntel Iris Xe Graphics
    Operating System
    Win11 Pro 25H2 (RTM+)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkBook 13x Gen 2
    CPU
    Intel i7-1255U
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek® ALC3306-CG codec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3-inch IPS Display
    Screen Resolution
    WQXGA (2560 x 1600)
    Hard Drives
    2 TB 4 x 4 NVMe SSD
    PSU
    USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 Power / Charging
    Keyboard
    Backlit, spill resistant keyboard
    Mouse
    Buttonless Glass Precision Touchpad
    Internet Speed
    1Gb Up / 1Gb Down
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    WiFi 6e / Bluetooth 5.1 / Facial Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / ToF (Time of Flight) Human Presence Sensor
Just to mention that NTFS supports certain file properties that would be lost when the files are copied to an exFAT formatted device, which may be important to some users.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 22H2, build: 22621.521Intel i7-12700K 3.6GHz Base (5.0GHz Turbo)64GB DDR 3600MhzAsus Tuff RTX 3080 10GB OC
OS
Windows 11 Pro 22H2, build: 22621.521
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Scan 3XS Custom 1700
CPU
Intel i7-12700K 3.6GHz Base (5.0GHz Turbo)
Motherboard
Asus ProArt Creator B660 D4
Memory
64GB DDR 3600Mhz
Graphics Card(s)
Asus Tuff RTX 3080 10GB OC
Sound Card
Onboard Realtek
Monitor(s) Displays
Gigabyte G32QC 32inch 16:9 curved @2560 x 1440p 165Hz Freesync Premium Pro/ Dell SE2422H 24inch 16:9 1920 x 1080p 75Hz Freesync
Screen Resolution
2560 x 1440p & 1920 x 1080p
Hard Drives
WD SN570 1TB NVME (Boot), Samsung 870QVO 1TB (SSD), SanDisk 3D Ultra 500Gb (SSD) x2, Seagate 3Tb Expansion Desk (Ext HDD), 2x Toshiba 1Tb P300 (Ext HDD)
PSU
Corsair RM1000X Modular
Case
Corsair 4000D Airflow Desktop
Cooling
Corsair Hydro H150i RGB Pro XT 360mm Liquid Cooler, 3 x 120mm fans, 1x Exhaust
Keyboard
Microsoft Ergonomic
Mouse
Logitech G402
Internet Speed
800Mbs
Browser
Edge Chromium
Antivirus
Defender, Malwarebytes
Good to know on this External SSD Drive, as eventually gonna purchase one myself to store some important files on---I think i'll make sure when i get mine to always try to eject safely, like i do with all the externals i have now currently

List of All Current External Drives(might get me categorized with obsessed with backups lol)
2003 WD Elements 500GB Desktop USB 2.0 External ((probably discontinuing by Christmas 2023))
2018 WD Blue My Passport 2TB External
2019 External Enclosure--Seagate 8TB
2020 WD Red My Passport 2TB External
2022 WD My Book 8TB



Probably be faster transfer than to 256GB USB Flash Drive for the files that i use currently lol for some files
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8037AMD Ryzen 7700X32GB DDR 5 RGB 5600MhzRadeon 7800XT
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8037
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PreBuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7700X
    Motherboard
    MSI B650 VC WIfi Rev 1.0
    Memory
    32GB DDR 5 RGB 5600Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon 7800XT
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus VG245H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Evo Plus NVMe Boot
    Samsung 990 Pro 1TB Game NVMe



    External
    Western Digital Elements 500GB
    Western Digital My Passport 2TB Blue
    Western Digital My Passport 2TB Red
    Toshiba 2TB in External Enclosure
    Seagate 8TB in External Enclosure
    Seagate 1TB Portable USB 3 External Drive
    Western Digital My Book 8TB (Primary Backup drive)
    Western Digital Black 4TB In External Enclosure
    PSU
    750 Watt High Power
    Case
    Lian Li Lan Cool 216 ARGB Airflow
    Cooling
    2 160MM Front, 1 140MM Rear Exhaust
    Keyboard
    Logitech G513
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 X
    Internet Speed
    Gigabit 1100Mb/35 Upload
    Browser
    MS Edge Chromium and Bing Search
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    UEFI, Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, Macrium Reflect X
  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8037Ryzen 7 7735HS16GB DDR 5AMD Radeon™ 680M & Radeon 7700S
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8037
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF A16 Advantage Edition FA617NT.A16.R7700
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 7735HS
    Motherboard
    OEM Asus Motherboard
    Memory
    16GB DDR 5
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ 680M & Radeon 7700S
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    16inch FHD 165hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512GB NVMe Boot Drive
    PSU
    Laptop PSU
    Case
    Laptop Case
    Cooling
    OEM Cooling
    Keyboard
    OEM Laptop Keyboard
    Mouse
    Touchpad & G502 Hero
    Internet Speed
    Gigabit 1100 Download/35 Upload
    Browser
    MS Edge with Bing search
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender & Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Macrium Reflect X
I just put the PC on hibernate then unplug the drive when I want to safely eject it when it doesn't let me. There's no need to shut down.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 ProIntel Celeron N51058GBIntel UHD Graphics (integrated)
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Computer type
PC/Desktop
CPU
Intel Celeron N5105
Memory
8GB
Graphics Card(s)
Intel UHD Graphics (integrated)
I just bought a new Dell Computer (Inspiron 16 7630 2-in-1) and had the same problem of not being able to remove hardware safely. It came pre-loaded with McAfee Anti Virus software with Browser Guard. I uninstalled both, rebooted, installed Malwarebytes and now I am able to use the "Safely Remove feature." Hopefully this helps others...
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11Intel Core i7 1360P Processor
OS
Windows 11
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell Inspiron 16
CPU
Intel Core i7 1360P Processor
I just bought a new Dell Computer (Inspiron 16 7630 2-in-1) and had the same problem of not being able to remove hardware safely. It came pre-loaded with McAfee Anti Virus software with Browser Guard. I uninstalled both, rebooted, installed Malwarebytes and now I am able to use the "Safely Remove feature." Hopefully this helps others...
Hi!
I hope you uninstalled those programs with their uninstaller or with REVO uninstaller.
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    windows 11 22631.5039Core i9 12th gen 12900HK 2.9 MHz (overcloked:...32 Gigs DDR5-4800nVidia RTX 3070 Ti / 8 Gigs DDR6
    OS
    windows 11 22631.5039
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI Raider GE76
    CPU
    Core i9 12th gen 12900HK 2.9 MHz (overcloked: 3890.48)
    Motherboard
    MSI
    Memory
    32 Gigs DDR5-4800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia RTX 3070 Ti / 8 Gigs DDR6
    Sound Card
    DYNAUDIO - Steelsries Arena 7- Sound Effects by Nahimic 3
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" 1920 x 1080 360 Hz 3 ms, IPS / Connected to MSI 32 inch curved @ 165 Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 / Both
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro 2TB (OS) - Solidigm P41 2TB (Storage)
    PSU
    280 watts
    Case
    MSI GE series
    Cooling
    internal
    Keyboard
    Steelseries
    Mouse
    G903 Lightspeed
    Internet Speed
    1000 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox / Opera GX- Do not like Edge
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes'
    Other Info
    just ask.
  • At a glance

    Windows 10 22H2Intel Core i7 7820HK 2.9 Ghz16 Gigs DDR4 2400 MhznVidia 1070 8GB RAM
    Operating System
    Windows 10 22H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    MSI GT73 7RE VR Titan
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 7820HK 2.9 Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI
    Memory
    16 Gigs DDR4 2400 Mhz
    Graphics card(s)
    nVidia 1070 8GB RAM
    Sound Card
    DYNAUDIO / Nahimic 2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    IPS / 120HZ
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080P
    Hard Drives
    Samsung NVME EVO 970 1TB / Samsung SSD (SATA) 1TB
    PSU
    240 watts
    Case
    MSI
    Cooling
    Internal
    Keyboard
    Steelseries
    Mouse
    Logitech G903 Lightspeed
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s
    Browser
    Firefox / Vivaldi
    Antivirus
    MalwareBytes'
    Other Info
    none.
had the same problem of not being able to remove hardware safely.... now I am able to use the "Safely Remove feature."
If you check the Quick removal setting has been made in Device manager then you will not need to use Safely remove & will gain no benefit from doing so.
Device mgr, Safely remove settings.png


Denis
 
Last edited:

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200....
OS
Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200.8037
installed Malwarebytes
It's up to you but Windows security is as good as any third-party security utility unless you have some specific requirements such as a VPN [bundled with some of them].
AV-TestOrg
If you click on the little > symbols on the right-hand side of each entry in the results table then you'll be able to see details for each one [and you'll be able to see the definitions of the three columns in the main results table - they are not obvious].


Denis
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200....
OS
Windows 11 Home x64 Version 25H2 Build 26200.8037
I'm running Windows 11 Pro and most of the time...

I gave you ten cookies... just for filling out your system specs.

Welcome to ElevenForums. :-)
 

My Computers My Computers

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26200.8655 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦25H2AMD Ryzen 7 3700XG.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26200.8655 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 5302)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • At a glance

    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 15 years?
Simple answer - yes it is safe to removes ssds. Has been for many years.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ16 GB solderedIntegrated Intel Iris XE
OS
Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
ASUS Zenbook 14
CPU
I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
Motherboard
Yep, Laptop has one.
Memory
16 GB soldered
Graphics Card(s)
Integrated Intel Iris XE
Sound Card
Realtek built in
Monitor(s) Displays
laptop OLED screen
Screen Resolution
2880x1800 touchscreen
Hard Drives
1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
PSU
Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
Case
Yep, got one
Cooling
Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
Keyboard
Built in UK keybd
Mouse
Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
Internet Speed
900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
Browser
Edge
Antivirus
Defender
Other Info
TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

Macrium Reflect Home V8
Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
Of course the problem is only with NTFS drives.

I just stopped using exFAT because upon restoring files I'd get pop-up prompts telling me that file information would be lost.

Now that I've converted them all to NTFS, I read that the eject problem is only with NTFS drives.

:facepalm:
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell Latitude

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