{"id":18487,"date":"2020-09-10T06:16:34","date_gmt":"2020-09-10T00:46:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/198.58.113.91\/blog\/?p=18487"},"modified":"2023-08-02T20:39:04","modified_gmt":"2023-08-02T15:09:04","slug":"problem-ejecting-usb-mass-storage-device-currently-in-use","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/problem-ejecting-usb-mass-storage-device-currently-in-use\/","title":{"rendered":"Problem Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device Currently In Use"},"content":{"rendered":"

USB devices, including external USB hard drives, are meant to be hot-pluggable — you can plug or unplug them when Windows is running. However, some processes may have a lock on the files in your external hard disk and won’t release them that easily. This prevents you from ejecting the drive typically using the Safely remove hardware<\/strong> icon.<\/p>\n

\"problem<\/p>\n

You may get the following error when ejecting a USB drive from the computer:<\/p>\n

\n

Problem Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device<\/strong><\/p>\n

This device is currently in use. Close any programs or windows that might be using the device, and then try again.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"problem<\/p>\n

Cause<\/h2>\n

The above error happens if an application or kernel level process is having a lock on some files in the external drive. You may have even tried closing all Explorer (This PC) windows, exit the running programs, restarting the Explorer shell<\/a>, and attempt to eject the USB drive. This routine may help in some cases, but they don’t always work (especially if a kernel-level process locks the files.)<\/p>\n

The next step would be to run Process Explorer<\/a>, Resource Monitor<\/a>, or a similar tool to know which files in the external drive are in use, and by which process.\u00a0If you use Process Monitor, it might show something like this when you search for the open handles:<\/p>\n

\\$Extend\\$RmMetadata\\$Txf\r\n\\$Extend\\$RmMetadata\\$TxfLog\\$TxfLog.blf\r\n\\$Extend\\$RmMetadata\\$TxfLog\\$TxfLogContainer0000000000000001\r\n\\$Extend\\$RmMetadata\\$TxfLog\\$TxfLogContainer0000000000000002<\/pre>\n
\"problem<\/p>\n
In the above case, the System process seems to have a lock on the NTFS metadata or the Transactional NTFS files in the external drive. Transactional NTFS was introduced first in Windows Vista to ensure data integrity. Any item name starting with “$” on an NTFS volume is an NTFS metadata object.<\/p>\n
(Some users have indicated that terminating a third-party search engine application named Everything<\/strong> from VoidTools whose process name is Everything.exe<\/code>. Terminating the program helped release the lock on NTFS metadata objects, thus letting the drive to be ejected safely. However, the issue is also seen on computers where “Everything” is not installed.)<\/em><\/p>\n
Workarounds: Problem Ejecting USB Storage Device<\/h2>\n
Here are the methods you can eject your USB drive. Out of the following options, I consider option 1 to be the safest choice. Option 2 & 3 may be theoretically fine, but we wouldn’t know if dismounting happens gracefully or not, under the hood.<\/p>\n
Option 1: Shutdown the computer and unplug the device<\/h3>\n
The safest bet is to shut down the computer and unplug the USB device from the computer. Unfortunately, there are no safer alternatives available if the System<\/code> process has a lock on the NTFS metadata objects.<\/p>\n
Shutting down the PC to unplug a removable device defeats the purpose of having a USB device, but it’s the best choice we have, to ensure data integrity.<\/p>\n
Option 2: Unplug the device physically (for “Quick removal” devices)<\/h3>\n
Well. The Microsoft documentation says if the drive removal policy is set to Quick removal<\/strong>, you can simply unplug the drive when needed without using the Safely Remove Hardware<\/strong> option.<\/p>\n
\"problem<\/p>\n
Make sure that the drive is configured to use the default Quick removal setting by checking the drive Properties \u2192 Hardware \u2192 Properties \u2192 Policy tab. If it’s set to Quick removal<\/strong>, unplug the drive simply.<\/p>\n
However, if you’re skeptical due to the earlier error “Problem Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device” and the open handles by the System<\/code> process, then follow Option 1<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Option 3: Eject (or Make disk offline) via the Disk Management console<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. \n
      \n
    1. Start the Disk Management console by running diskmgmt.msc<\/code> from the Run dialog. In Windows 10, you can right-click Start and click Disk Management.<\/li>\n
    2. Right-click on the disk # that represents your USB external drive, and choose Offline<\/strong>. In some cases, or for some type of drives, you may see the Eject<\/strong> option instead.
      \n\"problem
      \nThis dismounts the drive, thereby closing all the active handles. As we don’t know if the dismount happens gracefully or forcibly, this option is to be used carefully. If you care a great deal about data integrity, then you need to use Option 1 instead.<\/em><\/li>\n
    3. After setting the disk to Offline, unplug the device.\n
      Important:<\/strong> You must make sure that when you connect that particular drive the next time to access its contents, you must set it back to Online first. Only then you’ll see its drive letter in Explorer.<\/em><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      Other workarounds include turning off the Recycle Bin and System Restore feature for those drives or turning off the Server<\/strong> service. It may work for some users.<\/p>\n
      I hope the above information helped you safely eject a USB drive without any issues.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
      USB devices, including external USB hard drives, are meant to be hot-pluggable — you can plug or unplug them when Windows is running. However, some processes may have a lock on the files in your external hard disk and won’t release them that easily. This prevents you from ejecting the drive typically using the Safely … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[191],"class_list":["post-18487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-windows","tag-error-messages"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":25800,"url":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/photos-app-freezes-import-iphone-camera\/","url_meta":{"origin":18487,"position":0},"title":"Photos App Freezes When Importing Pictures from iPhone\/Android or Camera","author":"Ramesh","date":"January 19, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"When you attempt to import photos from your iPhone\/Android mobile or your camera using the built-in Photos app, the Photos app may freeze in the middle of the transfer. The import wizard may stall after displaying the number of photos on your mobile\/camera. This issue occurs especially when there are\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Windows 10"","block_context":{"text":"Windows 10","link":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/category\/microsoft\/windows\/windows-10\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"flashdrive for ios\/pc\/mac","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/ios-pc-flashdrive.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/ios-pc-flashdrive.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/ios-pc-flashdrive.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/ios-pc-flashdrive.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10117,"url":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/windows-auto-assign-same-drive-letter-usb-external-drive\/","url_meta":{"origin":18487,"position":1},"title":"How to Assign the Same Drive Letter for USB Drive in Windows","author":"Ramesh","date":"July 2, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"When you insert a USB flash drive, external hard disk, or an SD card, Windows allots the first available drive letter. If drives C, D, E are already used, when you insert an external drive, it allocates drive letter F: for the external drive. If you're wondering how to assign\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Utilities"","block_context":{"text":"Utilities","link":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/category\/utilities\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"assign same drive letter for a external drive - windows","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/usb-drive-info.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/usb-drive-info.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/usb-drive-info.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/usb-drive-info.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6438,"url":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/media-creation-tool-0x80004005-0xa001a-error-usb\/","url_meta":{"origin":18487,"position":2},"title":"[Fix] Media Creation Tool Error 0x80004005 – 0xA001A","author":"Ramesh","date":"August 7, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"When you use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB Windows 10 setup disk, error 0x80004005 - 0xA001A\u00a0occurs during the process. Precisely, the error happens after the ISO download is complete, and during the 'creating media' stage when it nears 50%.\u00a0 Here is the full error message: There\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Utilities"","block_context":{"text":"Utilities","link":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/category\/utilities\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"media creation tool error 0x80004005 - 0xA001A","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/mct-error-0x80004005-0xA001A.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/mct-error-0x80004005-0xA001A.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/mct-error-0x80004005-0xA001A.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10709,"url":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/fix-device-harddisk-dr0-has-a-bad-block-error-in-event-viewer\/","url_meta":{"origin":18487,"position":3},"title":"Fix: Device Harddisk DR0 has a “bad block” Error in Event Viewer","author":"Ramesh","date":"August 16, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Of late, one of my Windows 10 computers has been running sluggishly, hangs frequently or shuts down abruptly. The malware scans turned out to be normal and there are no processes consuming huge CPU time or memory. The disk usage remained at 100% though, regardless of the app I open.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Utilities"","block_context":{"text":"Utilities","link":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/category\/utilities\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"disk management hard drive number","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/diskmgmt-drive-numbers-1.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":19174,"url":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/error-0x80070141-transferring-photos-iphone-to-pc\/","url_meta":{"origin":18487,"position":4},"title":"Error 0x80070141 Transferring Photos from iPhone to Computer","author":"Ramesh","date":"October 11, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"When you transfer the photos from your iPhone or iPad to a PC or Mac, you may receive the error 0x80070141 - The device is unreachable. The error may occur regardless of whether you transfer the photos via the Import Photos wizard or when copying them manually from the DCIM\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Windows"","block_context":{"text":"Windows","link":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/category\/microsoft\/windows\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"iphone media transfer automatic vs keep originals","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/iphone-transfer-settings-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/iphone-transfer-settings-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/iphone-transfer-settings-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/iphone-transfer-settings-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6627,"url":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/mct-error-0x80042405-0xa001a-usb-setup-disk\/","url_meta":{"origin":18487,"position":5},"title":"[Fix] Media Creation Tool Error 0x80042405 – 0xA001A","author":"Ramesh","date":"September 21, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Microsoft's Media Creation Tool (MCT) is used to download Windows 10 ISO or create a bootable Windows 10 installation USB drive. MCT is one of the most useful tools by Microsoft, but at the same time, it's one of the buggiest utilities out there which throws some obscure errors like\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Windows 10"","block_context":{"text":"Windows 10","link":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/category\/microsoft\/windows\/windows-10\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"media creation tool error 0x80042405","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/mct-error-0x80042405.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/mct-error-0x80042405.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/mct-error-0x80042405.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18487","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18487"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18487\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18487"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18487"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.winhelponline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18487"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}