Unable to eject USB drives

Beginning this morning (yesterday morning by the time you read this) I am getting a message that any USB drive plugged into my PC cannot be ejected because its in use by a program. I am told to try again later or to close any program that may be using it. I know that there is no program using the drive and the only way I can safely eject the drive is by rebooting the PC and then clicking on the eject USB drive icon. Any idea why this may be happening and what I can do about it would be appreciated.

 

What new application did you install recently? Some monitor file folders.

Unlocker will help you to find out which one is it.

Panagiotis

 

Thank you for your very quick reply. Three days ago I installed IDrive which backs up files on-line. The files being monitored have nothing to do with my USB drive, at least I don't think it would since I have not instructed IDrive to watch for anything not on my C drive. If this is the case how can this be the source of the problem? I will download the program you recommended and report back. Will this program enable me to eject the drive as well as identify any program interfering with the ejection?

 

Unlocker did the trick, for some reason Diskeeper was blocking me from ejecting the drive (at least Unlocker indicated this was the case), This is odd as I have been using Diskeeper for years without any problems of this sort. Regardless Unlocker is a nice tool to have on my PC and I thank you for your help in this matter.

 

You are welcome.

And you are right; Unlocker is a great tool.

During the installation, at the components selection is listed a component "eaby shorcuts". Just uncheck it.

Panagiotis

 

Anybody know of a software similar to unlocker that works on x64?

 

Yes. Try EMCO UnLock IT

 

Thanks a lot pandlouk

Edit: It doesn't work at all for me. I tested it with a locked file and it said it's not in use by any application when it clearly is :|

 

You are welcome.

Have you tried to execute it with run "as admin"?

Panagiotis

edit: I checked it in xp and it seems that works only with the system drive subdirectories. The only alterantive for 64bit seems to be Process Explorer.

 

Hi pandlouk, boy are you fast, I had done a little digging and found the check boxes and edited my last post. I guess you were replying as I did this because when I did the edit your post had not yet made it into the thread. Thanks again for the help you have provided.

 

You can also look at http://safelyremove.com/ although payware they offer a trial to see if it works for you.

Thanks,

Chris

 

I tried USB Safely Remove a while ago and it didn't work very well.

Well thanks guys but I don't think there's an app nearly as good as Unlocker for x64. Process Explorer is so cumbersome.

 

Thanks Chris, I will take a look at the program.

 

Is Diskeeper trying to defrag the drive and locking it use?

You could also have a look at the drives properties in Device Manager under policies tab and see if it's set at "Optimize for quick removal".

 

This is/was a very recent problem. I have been using Diskeeper for years without the USB eject problem occurring so why it should suddenly become a problem now is a mystery. Not a big deal since I now have Unlocker and can just stop Diuskeeper from blocking the eject.

EDIT: I just tried plugging in a USB drive and ejecting it normally, works fine now, there was no need to use Unlocker.

 

Yes, Safely Remove is an excellent piece of software.

Especially for people who are using USB's.

 

I took a look at Safely Remove and liked the features so even though the eject problem appears to have disappeared I decided to get a copy of this program. Thanks for the info Chris, and the reminder (renegade0 about it.

 

I have two USB HDs mainly used to store Images. One of them always gives me problems disconnecting it safely unless shutting down the computer. I've just downloaded 'Safely Remove' which seems to be a very nice tool to have, but it gave me exactly the same response that usually Vista gives (the device can't be stopped at the moment etc.). I'll still run the 30 days trial.

 

Have you tried Unlocker? I recently downloaded it and it worked every time I had a problem. Unlocker is freeware by the way, a nice tool to have available if its needed. I like some of the features of Safely Remove besides its unlocking ability (which I have not had occasion to try yet) so I picked up a licence today after trying it out for about 5 min. Have you tried Forced Stop or Close Process? (probably a dumb question). As I said I have not had a chance to even try these yet.

 

While I'm currently using USB Safely Remove on my PCs courtesy of an offer a couple months ago for free licenses, you might want to try a similar freeware program I used previously: USB Disk Ejector.

http://quick.mixnmojo.com/usb-disk-ejector

Unlike USB Safely Remove, USB Disk Ejector (like Autoruns and Process Explorer) doesn't install itself into your system and isn't running all the time. I'm not sure which of the programs is better. I've noticed I sometimes get Windows messages saying USB Safely Remove has stopped working and has to shut down when I use FirstDefense-ISR or imaging software to create a backup snapshot or image.

 

Tips, tips, and more flash drive tips - page 1, page 2. Perhaps one for you Osaban?

 

@bgoodman4.
I 've had Unlocker for years, and even though it is very useful to get rid of some stubborn files, it doesn't work with my USB drive.
@ GlobalForce.
Thanks for your tips' links. I found interesting the following "Find the policies tab and check if the device is optimized for performance or quick removal. If its optimized for quick removal you will get the message you are referring to. Supposedly you don't have to use the safely remove hardware process when this is checked."
My USB Drives are both set for quick removal, but only one seems to create an alert as not being able to disconnect safely. Several times in the past because of time urgency I have disconnected it anyway, and nothing has ever happened to the data stored. So maybe there isn't any risk, as long as the drive is set for quick removal.

 

I am no expert but when I was having this problem and reading about it on the net I learned that pulling the stick out without unmounting could cause a problem with drive letters. Yes, if a file is open and you pull the drive you can get corrupted data or worse if the drive is being written to, but the drive letter thing needs to also be noted. Certainly not an especially serious matter as data loss but......

 

Say Osaban, did you get a chance to look @ those recycle bin prop's? How about drive letters for said devices .... they ever change?