Where's the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon?

Anonymous
2012-12-07T21:01:38+00:00

I just upgraded to Win 8 from Win XP. I'm used to seeing a popup or icon in my lower right taskbar to 'safely remove hardware' after plugging in my camera or phone but I don't see one in Windows 8. What happened to it? Will I have a problem if I just unplug my device or do I need to take other steps to make sure it's safe to unplug?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2012-12-07T21:02:28+00:00

Click on the upward arrow by the clock.  This will show the hidden items and allow you to safely remove the devices.

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Anonymous
2012-12-07T21:14:51+00:00

Hello PuzzledJane,

Follow the instructions supplied by Alex T Jr. This will allow you to see the remove hardware icon.

If you want the icon to appear permanently on display then click on the up arrow in the notification area and then, when the list of icons appears, click the Customize option. A list of all of the icons will now appear. Locate the safely remove hardware icon and click on the arrow in the dialogue box to the right of this option. From the drop down list select 'show icon and notification' and then press the OK button.

The safely remove hardware icon will now permanently be displayed in the notification area.

This forum post is my own opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinion or view of Microsoft, its employees, or other MVPs.

John Barnett MVP: Windows XP Associate Expert: Windows Expert - Consumer:  www.winuser.co.uk |  vistasupport.mvps.org | xphelpandsupport.mvps.org | www.silversurfer-guide.com

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-02-05T22:41:46+00:00

    I have the exact same problem and there is no such option under the Windows Explorer screen for my USB connected device.  The Safely Remove Hardware icon used to be in my system tray but it is gone and even when I update the option for it to always display it does not.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-18T01:37:21+00:00

    quote

    Locate the safely remove hardware icon and click on the arrow in the dialogue box to the right of this option.

    /quote

    Unfortunately, that option is not present.  This appears to be a significant bug (surprise, surprise) in Windows 8.  Anyone for Linux, wouldn't that be nice?

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-29T22:51:20+00:00

    Windows 8 is bullshit!!! I hate it! How do I revert back to windows 7? All of these answers are bullshit too!!! Whoever engineered Windows 8 should be fired!!!

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