How do I disable windows explorer closing when removing usb device

If you pull out the drive that contains the files you're looking at, it closes.  That's how it's designed.  What would you rather it do? 

This reply is a little late but I felt I had to say something... Shawn Keene, I happen to run into this thread while hunting for a possible method to prevent the explorer.exe process from closing after physically removing "removable media."

The very first thing I read was your arrogant condescending remark to someone asking a legitimate question about a way to avoid that behavior. 

The explorer process closing after removing a device even when inserting the device did not spawn the explorer process in the first place may have been purposely coded into windows, but it is NOT a desired behavior that many people want. So, Microsoft made an ASSumption. Making it change focus to the next available resource is not a big deal as this behavior occurs all the time in Windows Explorer.

Folks like you Shawn, SHOULD NOT interact with the community at all if you hate life so much that it causes you to act stupid. And if you can't stand answering questions from those who don't know every little detail about a piece of software then QUIT, find a new job, or just shut the F#@! UP! Not everyone on the planet dedicates 100% of their life to figuring out programs and software created by others. The sooner you figure that out the better off you'll be. 

For everyone else reading this, I can say that when I'm about to remove a "removable media" like an external hard drive or memory stick, I find that by simply selecting a local drive first (Like C:) will prevent Windows/File Explorer from closing when the removable drive is taken out. It's an extra step and not a solution, but does save from having to reopen another explorer process.  Microsoft definitely needs to revisit this default behavior.

I worked on an XP computer two days ago and it worked just the way it should.

I removed the USB stick and Windows Explorer selected and displayed the next level up, ie Computer.

I understand the newer behavior is what most simple users desire. It keeps the "desktop" "clutter" free and less confusing.

But for those of us who actually do lots of computer work with many programs, having to open a file manager again is just annoying.

I currently have three instances open, 4 excel files, 3 notepad files, 2 chrome browsers, wordperfect, and 2 word files.

It would be crazy for ALL word instances to close because one of the files I was working on was suddenly not available as it was on a removed USB device.

And:  I NEVER combine task bar items. It is just another annoying menu..

I found a workaround!  I almost answered the question in a previous post.

Open Notepad.  You can reduce the size of the window to almost nothing if you want.  Just leave the File menu.

Do File->Open.  You'll get the Open dialog box which is a mini Explorer with folders on the left and files on the right.  At the bottom, select All Files in the dropdown menu.

Use that as an Explorer window!  It won't close when you pop the USB drive out.  You can copy, move, and delete files.  Open a second Notepad window if you need to have a second Explorer window to drag stuff to.  Just don't double click on a file since that will open it in Notepad.  Right click on the file and use Open With....

Unfortunately, you can't minimize or maximize the window.  But you can resize it.  And if it gets covered up by other windows, go to the Taskbar and click Notepad and your mini Explorer pops right back up again!

Also no previews available.  But images can be previewed by changing the view to Extra Large Icons.

It's not the best solution (see a previous post of mine for one that is), but it works a heck of a lot better than the current Close-Window-And-Irritate-User problem.

I understand this is the coded default behavior. It is clever, but annoying.

I want it to perform just like when a folder is deleted. The focus moves up to the next available folder. But the explorer does not close.

Should be an option, at least.

It's the simplest and most logical option & should be the default.

Hi,

The issue you posted is more complex than what is answered in the Community forums and would be better suited in the MSDN. This forum is looked at by other developers who would more than likely be able to assist.

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/windowsdesktop/en-US/home?forum=vbgeneral&filter=alltypes&sort=lastpostdesc

Hope this information is helpful. Please do let us know if you need further assistance with Windows, we’ll be glad to assist you.

Regards,