Problem Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device "This device is currently in use. Close any programs or windows that might be using the device, and then try again."

Anonymous
2011-03-23T03:39:03+00:00

Original title:Problem Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device

When I try to safely eject my external hard drive safely I get an error message with this title telling me that "This device is currently in use. Close any programs or windows that might be using the device, and then try again." I have done this. I have also tried closing every program running on the computer and it does not help. I have also tried restarting the computer and this also does nothing. If anyone has any ideas that would be helpful please let me know.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2011-03-24T03:24:11+00:00

Hi A. Cook,

1)       How long have you been facing this issue?

2)       Is this issue confined to any specific USB device?

This behavior can occur if there are open handles with any files in the USB (Universal Serial Bus) Mass Storage Device are in use by another program.

Method 1:

a)       Download Process Explorer from the link below

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653

b)       Click Find, Find Handle or DLL (Dynamic Link Library) in the tool menu.

c)       Type the drive letter of the USB device in the Handle or DLL substring textbox, and press Search Button.

d)       Find the process and its PID (Process Identifier) in the following box.

e)       In system process tree view, find the process according to the Find Handle or DLL dialog box.

f)        Press Ctrl + H to show Handles in Lower Pane View.

g)       Find the File according with the drive letter, and right click it, choose Close Handle.

Reference:

Problem Ejecting USB Mass Storage Devicehttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/555665

Note: Using Third Party Software, including hardware drivers can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Third Party Software can be solved. Using Third Party Software is at your own risk.

**Method 2:**You may refer the steps provided by Diana D in the link below

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows\_vista-hardware/problem-ejecting-usb-mass-storage-deviceits-in-use/fd56805c-ed8e-491f-8a2b-39ed1c988a71

Method 3: Run an online scan for any threat and try to fix them

**http://onecare.live.com/site/en-Us/center/cleanup.htm**

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-04-13T10:02:38+00:00

    Having had the same problem and failed to find any solution on any of the responses that worked I have developed a simple way to stop it (and hopefully not wreck anything). 

    Go to  "computer" in the start panel. Right click on the removable drive and select "eject". It gives you a warning but still gives you the option to proceed. If you continue you'll get the "safe to remove" message on the task bar like you would expect. 

    As with other people on various threads I'm computer savvy but not to the point where I want to fiddle around in various processes. This basic fault has been kicking around for a long time and I've now seen it in Windows 8 as well. I would have expected Microsoft to have sorted it by now. That was a bit optimitic!

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-04-05T15:28:07+00:00

    Why does this have to be so complicated??? I am a reasonably computer-savvy 20-something and this still leaves me confused. I got past step c, and there are 5200-some "matching processes." What do you mean, "find the process?" This is ridiculous.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-04-13T08:02:37+00:00

    I second that.  This is ridiculously complicated.   Also it DOES NOT WORK.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-04-13T21:26:30+00:00

    I've had this problem as well, intermittently, and I am running Windows7. I overcome it very simply by putting the computer into 'sleep' mode and then I pull out the USB stick. Works perfectly every time - so far, touch wood!

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