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
    2017-10-31T16:15:17+00:00

    Hi

    I assume you are referring to the digital clock, but this does not have an arrow over it.

    So completely at a loss how to remove USB devices without turning the computer off. It was there before but is now gone.

    Pleas help.

    Thankyou.

    Grant

    Hi Grant, Following is a copy of my reply about this some time ago.

    Repost:

    redbear2 replied on

    The Safely Remove icon does not appear until it's needed. Insert a Flash or Thumb drive and it should appear in the system tray near the clock. If it isn't there, click on the small up arrow which shows hidden icons.

    The icon doesn't stay in the tray or task bar, it's an on demand feature.

    I use Win7 and from what I've read here, others have reported it works for Win8/8.1.

    Hope this is helpful.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-10-28T09:25:35+00:00

    Hi

    I assume you are referring to the digital clock, but this does not have an arrow over it.

    So completely at a loss how to remove USB devices without turning the computer off. It was there before but is now gone.

    Pleas help.

    Thankyou.

    Grant

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-10-09T02:08:38+00:00

    Thankyou you're the best 

    From nancy

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