Click on the upward arrow by the clock. This will show the hidden items and allow you to safely remove the devices.
Where's the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon?
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Anonymous
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
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Anonymous
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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Anonymous
2014-07-16T18:19:56+00:00 I use Windows 7. The "safe to remove hardware" icon was always hidden, until I clicked the little arrow to "show hidden icons", and then it appeared and it worked.
Then it suddenly wasn't there any more. And it had vanished from the list of icons that could be customised.
So I tried the advice from redbear2. BUT when I page down in "Select which icons and notifications appear on the Task bar", I don't have anything called "Windows Device Installation."
Any other ideas?
Meanwhile I'll try to remember to right-click the drive in Windows Explorer, and click "eject".
Hi CambridgeChris, sorry for the delay but I've been on vacation and just got back. I'll check out my Win7 and see if any change has been made. I haven't updated any Windows Updates and don't know yet if that may have anything to do with what you are experiencing.
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Anonymous
2014-07-02T19:41:18+00:00 I use Windows 7. The "safe to remove hardware" icon was always hidden, until I clicked the little arrow to "show hidden icons", and then it appeared and it worked.
Then it suddenly wasn't there any more. And it had vanished from the list of icons that could be customised.
So I tried the advice from redbear2. BUT when I page down in "Select which icons and notifications appear on the Task bar", I don't have anything called "Windows Device Installation."
Any other ideas?
Meanwhile I'll try to remember to right-click the drive in Windows Explorer, and click "eject".
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Anonymous
2014-05-06T04:14:57+00:00 Yes, the darn icon vanished, but it did come back as soon as I put in another flash drive. Crazy. But now I won't worry about it. Thanks for your help. :)
Same thing happened to me & was happy to see it when I inserted the flash drive again:-)
I don't know if you have any kiddos, but these computers surely command a lot of attention, LOL