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
    2017-02-19T16:15:55+00:00

    When I follow your advice in Windows 10 ("This PC"), showing my Samsung USB drive does not have the "Eject" option like other devices usually have. So all I can do is remove it and hope nothing is lost.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-01-09T22:54:45+00:00

    Have put computer to sleep a number of times and no loss of data.  The problem seems to be only with one portable hard drive - other one is o.k.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-01-09T21:40:37+00:00

    These ridiculous excuses are also contradicted by the idiotic bug where USB drives randomly disconnect even while in use.

    Don't want to take this thread too far off topic, but once you've confirmed that your drives and cables are fine I suggest you take a look at your USB ports, controllers and USB hardware/drive related power management settings. None of my laptop/desktop/tablet/2-in-1 Windows systems and USB drives have ever exhibited this bug.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-01-09T19:57:22+00:00

    These ridiculous excuses are also contradicted by the idiotic bug where USB drives randomly disconnect even while in use.

    These problems need fixing, not excuses.

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