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?
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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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
2017-08-28T09:42:26+00:00 its usually there however it disappeared.
tried revert reinstall back your mb chiepset or usb drivers often helpfull
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Anonymous
2017-08-27T07:16:46+00:00 its usually there however it disappeared.
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Anonymous
2016-04-15T21:49:05+00:00 Unfortunately, my icon did not magically reappear when I inserted a USB drive. So, for those who still have issues with the disappearing safe removal icon, I was able to locate it by doing the following:
- Went to File Explorer
- R-clicked on the drive where the USB device was located (e.g., H drive)
- Clicked on Eject from the list of options that appeared
- Received a message that it was safe to eject the device - and the icon reappeared in my system tray.
- The icon disappeared when I removed the USB drive; however, it now reappears whenever I reinsert the USB device.
Hope this works for others.