Q&A for How to Remove a Flash Drive from a Windows 10 Computer

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How do I check what files are open that are stopping the removal of the flash drive?

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Community Answer

Check if an application, file, open document, music or video file or any other application is in use and close it. You can also run the Task Manager to "kill" any processes used by the device. Be careful—ending tasks doesn't damage your computer per-se, but it can lose unsaved files and corrupt existing open files if you close a program that is using them, and it can cause your computer to do an emergency shutdown. It won't cause permanent damage unless the program is doing something like flashing the BIOS (in which case, you shouldn't be removing flash drives!).

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Question

I do not have a system tray button, how do I install one?

Community Answer

The system tray isn't something that you can download. It should be on all Windows 10 computers in the right hand corner. It looks like this ∧.

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Question

There is no message saying that the flash drive can be safely removed, but I clicked the USB stick in the System Tray Icon. Then, I couldn't access some movies on the flash drive. How do I fix this?

Community Answer

Usually you can just take the USB Flash Drive out without safely removing it. Only when you are doing stuff on it like moving files from or to it, or watching movies from it. Even then, there is a low possibility that it's going to become corrupted or something.

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Question

The USB stick in the system tray icon does not respond to either right or left clicks. How to fix this?

Community Answer

The touch pad and/or L & R buttons are malfunctioning. Consult your device manufacturer to fix this.

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