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
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
2014-01-18T12:49:43+00:00 Hello JoeBlaugh,
It is there on my setup mainly because a USB TV card is permanently connected. Once other items are connected, i.e., portable drives etc these too become available. If you are simply trying to remove a removable USB drive have you tried right clicking on the option for that drive in File explorer and, from the available drop down menu, selecting Eject?
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
2013-11-29T22:25:57+00:00 Ditto, I'm on windows 8 and there is no safely remove icon.
Why doesn't a MS representative chip in with an explanation and advice???
And, by the way, in 'computer' if I R click on the attached usb device there is no 'eject' option either!
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Anonymous
2013-11-23T08:46:42+00:00 I understand the instructions from above contributors i.e up-arrow near clock which would usually (before it disappeared) show my unplug devices icon (regularly used) but it's gone disappeared and i am having this common problem. Please HELP US MICROSOFT ENGINEERS !?
I'm on Windows 7 and i haven't upgraded at any point to cause this.