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

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.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

40+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

10+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

71 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2016-02-01T17:22:14+00:00

    I have the same issue on W8.1 and W10.

    Both clean installation, and the icon is not there, not even in hidden icons.

    I have "eject" option under file explorer. And to make it strange is: if I put an USB hub in between, the icon will be shown up!!!

    Does it mean behind the USB hub, the eject is required and it will be shown up?

    Maybe it is by design?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-11-05T09:38:18+00:00

    I had such issue like here http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/191548-error-usb-remove-safely-icon-doesnt-show-devices-just-3-dots.html

    tray ico exists but thare no usb devices, appears after some update on 8, after update to 10 appears but again disappears (maybe after some driver auto update)

    try all that possible nothing help....

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-11-04T19:45:44+00:00

    I'm using Windows 10.  Until recently, the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon was in my hidden icons.  All of a sudden it disappeared and I don't know how to get it back.  A lot of answers say "go to notifications" but I don't have anything in my notifications.  Thanks.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments