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
    2014-11-17T17:24:48+00:00

    Well, brush-head it sounds like you know a lot about Windows! MS-DOS? Ugh :-) I admire those that understand it, as I never did. Just trying to keep up with all of XP & now Win7 for me is more than enough. I'll leave the "behind the scenes" to you:-)

    Now on your Safely Remove Hardware, keep in mind that the device must be inserted before you will see any icon/message etc. It operates on a "just in time" need. I don't know about Win 8.1, but if you don't see that in the system tray, or an up arrow there, then do this.

    You can also safely remove devices from the Computer folder.  Click the Start button ![](http://res2.windows.microsoft.com/resbox/en/windows 7/main/4f6cbd09-148c-4dd8-b1f2-48f232a2fd33_818.jpg), click Computer, right-click the device you want to remove, and then click Eject. That is per MSFT and by the way, I checked that and it does work!! Hope you have a Start button, LOL

    You said: One last thing - why do MS display the most recent posts on this board (forgive my old fashioned turn of phrase) at the end rather than at the start ie order the most recent first.

    A couple of reasons that I see and one is that the answer(s) may be at the beginning? You could always start reading the most recent, but on this topic you would have not read anything about the topic!!

    On Win 10, I'm encouraged that MSFT are allowing USERS that buy their computers are having some input!! I think trying to combine a tablet with a desktop was a mistake, in my opinion.

    Apple will be fine. Android? You mean Google.....don't get me started on them!

    Have a great day & week!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-05-12T09:04:08+00:00

    totally agree kurt!!

    one day somethings there, next time you log on it's gone. search results are a joke, send you to dodgy sites which end up irrelevant instead of just telling you where it is on YOUR PC!

    I can now see why my computer boffin friend paid good money to revert back... pile of W**K

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-06-22T02:11:06+00:00

    In my Windows 8.1RT this is very simple.  Here are some options.  (Hopefully I am remembering them correctly.:

    A)  Right click the task bar & see if there is a choice to show hidden icons.

    B)  Go to Control Panel & find Notification Area Icons and look at the drop down menu for each icon.

    Good luck!

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