What happens when you umplug an External USB connected Hard Drive?

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bobbo123

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For years now when finished copying files to my Sata 1-2-3 Hard Drives I would simply unplug them from my computer. Last month I noticed the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon in my System Tray so I tried to use that. I almost always got a "Cannot remove" message, so I just waited until I was ready to turn the computer off.

Now...I want to use multiple hard drives without shutting my computer each time. It makes sense to me that if I unplug the usb HD WHILE it is transferring a file, that file could be lost...but if all such transfers were completed 30 minutes ago and the HD is at idle with no activity...what is "realistically" at risk if I get the "Cannot Remove" message and I just just down anyway? I never noticed anything amiss when I did it regularly before...but I don't want to dork a hard drive or lose files or corrupt them.

Any real harm then?
 
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SOLUTION: or at least "the " answer: using the into from the link above, I checked each device. Indeed, some allow for the "Quick Disconnect" option, but other drives do NOT ALLOW the device to be disconnected AT ALL.

In the future, I would buy hard drives that allow for the Quick Disconnect feature and Not Buy those who do not allow such feature. Information I don't recall ever seeing listed in the specs for hard drives...not on New Egg anyway.

Well, that will be a pisser---knowing I want Quick Disconnect Hard Drives but not able to find out before buying. I have 8 hard drives connected right now. Four of them cannot be disconnected and I will have to turn the computer off to switch hard drives.

Knowledge is power.
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weberdarren97

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When you get the cannot remove error, try restarting the explorer.exe process.

If running Windows 7, open Task Manager and end the explorer.exe process. Then hit New Task and enter explorer.exe

If running Windows 8/8.1/10, open Task Manager and restart the Windows Explorer process.

This should take care of that pesky "cannot stop device because it is in use" error message.

EDIT: Please make sure that you are not copying or moving files when you restart explorer. Wait until you're done moving files before restarting the process.
 
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helpstar

helpstar

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sometimes if the folder is still open, it cannot unmount the disk
if a file is still opened from the disk or an application which has opened a file from this disk and is still opened

e.g. open a .doc file, word or writer app would open. Close the file in the app but don´t close the app. This could lead to not successfully removing the disk.

installing the up to date sata/chipset drivers could help too.
 
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bobbo123

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Stopping Explorer sounds good. I've tried loging off as a user and logging back on. Did not work. I'll give this a try....thanks.

Regarding closing the folder or app...I'm using "Teracopy" to transfer video files. Once the transfer is completed...the Teracopy function appears to end to me....but I will check that out as well.

When doing exactly the same thing, it seems to me some of the drives tend to become stoppable, while others tend to be always accessed and not disconnectable. I've checked and turned off file logging (sic?) resulting in all my hard drives being configured the same as much as I can tell...

BUT==>the question is...if all I do is transfer a file or two and the Hard Drive has been inactive for 30 minutes...is there reasonably any harm in simply disconnecting the drive? As stated...I did this for YEARS before learning this was not recommended. But how valid is the warning?
 
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bobbo123

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Tried both of those solutions. No joy. Google did reveal there is a paid for program that will identify and terminate whatever program is stopping the disconnect....but who pays for what Windows should be doing after 36 updates?
 
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weberdarren97

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Don't buy these programs. Not only are they potential viruses, but there's no guarantee that they'll actually be able to identify the process that's using the disk in the first place.
 
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weberdarren97

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Is the drive getting power from the USB connection? If so, then this is a bad idea.
 
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helpstar

helpstar

Titan
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which operating system are you using?
does it automatically check or defrag the disks?

since windows 7 I don´t think it´s dangerous to not safely remove drives, but I wouldn´t do it anyways.

I stumbled over a tool named "safely remove" which could help you find out which apps are using the disks while trying removing the disks.
 
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bobbo123

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I'm using Win 7 Ultimate SP-1. I defrag weekly. I will look for "safely remove."

Still: if the drive has been idle for 30 minutes....whats the worst "that actually happens" if I just unplug it?
 
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bobbo123

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Hmmm... googling "safely remove" I found: http://www.pcworld.com/article/254868/safely_remove_usb_drives_just_by_unplugging_them.html

And all my drives are set up for Quick Removal...but as stated, I do still get the Error Message. GIVEN my previous experience of "not noticing any problems" when simply pulling the data cable from the drive....think I'll keep doing that.

think I'll monitor that action and have the drive fully copied on another drive AND log the "Properties" before and after such disconnects. I'll post back if any fubars appear.

Still: as Microsoft is supposed to "know" this stuff..... any specific damage/corruption anyone is aware of?
 
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bobbo123

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Speaking of disconnecting the external hard drive: any advice re how to do it? IE: disconnect power or data first? Its irritating.....I think some of my hard drives stop spinning when the data cable is disconnected, but others don't? (I have "all" major manufacturers that I use). Given the option, I like disconnecting things that are not "powered on"... so the data cable stops the spinning half the time which I assume makes pulling the power cable that much safer?
 
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bobbo123

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SOLUTION: or at least "the " answer: using the into from the link above, I checked each device. Indeed, some allow for the "Quick Disconnect" option, but other drives do NOT ALLOW the device to be disconnected AT ALL.

In the future, I would buy hard drives that allow for the Quick Disconnect feature and Not Buy those who do not allow such feature. Information I don't recall ever seeing listed in the specs for hard drives...not on New Egg anyway.

Well, that will be a pisser---knowing I want Quick Disconnect Hard Drives but not able to find out before buying. I have 8 hard drives connected right now. Four of them cannot be disconnected and I will have to turn the computer off to switch hard drives.

Knowledge is power.
 
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