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
2014-03-21T23:22:36+00:00 I agree. It's really hard to find things on Windows 8 -- even the start button is disguised as an icon of a couple of little folders on the bottom left. I signed up with LivePCExpert (at a price) to get help with Windows 8.
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Anonymous
2014-05-03T20:14:29+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?
I use Win7/IE9, just so everyone knows. I don't know if Win8/8.1 works the same way, but try this as it works in Win7.
Right click in the taskbar(not desktop) and click on Properties. Under the Notification area, click on Customize. A window opens "Select which icons and notifications appear on the Task bar."
Page down until you come to "Windows Device Installation." Open that field and click on "Show icon & Notifications.", hit OK, then hit OK again.
Plug in any flash drive and then click on the up arrow in the notification system tray. You should see the Safely Remove Hardware & Eject Media icon.
I hope this works for Win8/8.1.
Everyone has a need for this icon, so I don't understand why it wasn't there to begin with!!
Mine is working now. If it escapes, I'll post back. LOL
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Anonymous
2014-05-03T22:59:12+00:00 This was extremely helpful. The folks who take over my computer from India could not do this fix for me. Windows 8 does not give exactly the same line of messages as you predicted, but it was close enough to get the icon on my toolbar. THANKS, redbear2!