Where's the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon?

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.

I did not have the "Windows Device Installation" either. I think it may be that once the "device" is selected the first time, that doesn't appear again. So I inserted my flash drive and then looked at the  "Select which icons and notifications appear on the Task bar" This time, the "Windows Explorer" with Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media was listed directly in small gray print underneath. I used the down arrow to the right of that and selected "show icon and notifications", hit ok and then ok again under the window "task bar and start menu properties (which was still opened)

Now the icon is appearing in my system notification area. I will now eject my flash drive and see if the icon still appears. Will let you know if it doesn't.  Try this procedure and let me know if you are successful.

Even tho I selected "show icon and notifications" for the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media" the icon did not remain in the system notification area. I even rebooted. When I then inserted the flash drive, the icon appeared in the system notification area and can be used when needed. I hope this additional info is helpful.

Thanks.  The trick of having a flash drive plugged in at the time DID make "Windows Explorer" appear, just as you said it would.  So now I can use "safely eject" once more.  But it still remains in the "hidden icons" area, whatever I do.  It's always behaved that way on this computer - until the icon vanished.  Now it's back to where it used to be.

However, in the meantime. I've got used to selecting Start > Computer > Right-click on the drive > Click "Eject"- which is just as quick and easy as selecting "show hidden icons" and then clicking the relevant icon.

As always with Windows, there are many different ways of arriving at the same point!

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.

I did not have the "Windows Device Installation" either. I think it may be that once the "device" is selected the first time, that doesn't appear again. So I inserted my flash drive and then looked at the  "Select which icons and notifications appear on the Task bar" This time, the "Windows Explorer" with Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media was listed directly in small gray print underneath. I used the down arrow to the right of that and selected "show icon and notifications", hit ok and then ok again under the window "task bar and start menu properties (which was still opened)

Now the icon is appearing in my system notification area. I will now eject my flash drive and see if the icon still appears. Will let you know if it doesn't.  Try this procedure and let me know if you are successful.

Even tho I selected "show icon and notifications" for the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media" the icon did not remain in the system notification area. I even rebooted. When I then inserted the flash drive, the icon appeared in the system notification area and can be used when needed. I hope this additional info is helpful.

Thanks.  The trick of having a flash drive plugged in at the time DID make "Windows Explorer" appear, just as you said it would.  So now I can use "safely eject" once more.  But it still remains in the "hidden icons" area, whatever I do.  It's always behaved that way on this computer - until the icon vanished.  Now it's back to where it used to be.

However, in the meantime. I've got used to selecting Start > Computer > Right-click on the drive > Click "Eject"- which is just as quick and easy as selecting "show hidden icons" and then clicking the relevant icon.

As always with Windows, there are many different ways of arriving at the same point!

I wish Microsoft would keep what works instead of complicating various applications!! Or they could enclose an Operating Manual with every OS:-) Thanks for your reply.

Yes, I raised three.  My computer does seem equally good at screaming "Hey, Mom!  Look at me" and requiring two hours of face time thereafter.  Nice point.

I hear you! Computers, cars and kiddos have a lot in common:-)