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My external hard drive does not disconnect from computers using Vista

My external hard drive (WD Passport) does not disconnect from my laptop.  When I click on the "Safely Remove Hardrive" icon the message I get is: "Windows can't stop your 'Generic Volume' device because it is in use.  Close any programs or windows that might be using the device and try again later."  There are no applications, no music, no other windows running?  The only way to disconnet this divice is to shut down computer entirely.  There are 3 laptops in this household running, Vista Home Premium 64 bit, Vista Home 32 bit and Windows XP.  The external hard drive does fine disconnecting from the laptop running Operating System XP but does not do well with the two running Vista 32 or 64 bit.

Hope you can help with this problem.  Thank you.

Answer
Answer
Hi,

With the drive plugged in and working : (do on both Vista machines)

Control Panel - Device Manager - Disk Drives - double click on the drive - Policies tab -

Optimize for Quick Removal - OK   (if set that way change and OK the setting and then change it back and OK)

Also if you have any applications open that are monitor folders and files on that drive there can be issues
such as Music folders and WMP as one example.

Some antivirus/antispyware/security products also have settings that can affect the ability to remove a
removable drive.

Hope this helps.
Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.
Rob Brown - past Microsoft MVP - Windows Insider MVP 2016 - 2021
Microsoft MVP Windows and Devices for IT 2009 - 2020

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Question Info

Last updated February 9, 2023 Views 3,152 Applies to: