How to Eject External Hard Drive Windows 10?

If you are a Windows 10 user, you may have experienced the frustration of being unable to eject an external hard drive. This can be a major problem, especially if you need to quickly unplug your device or you are unable to access the files stored on it. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to eject an external hard drive from Windows 10. In this article, we will walk you through the process of how to eject an external hard drive from Windows 10.

How to Safely Eject an External Hard Drive on Windows 10

Ejecting an external hard drive is an important step in ensuring your data remains safe on the device. It’s crucial to eject a hard drive before disconnecting it from your computer, as it helps prevent any potential data loss. This is especially true if you are using a Windows 10 computer. Here’s how to safely eject an external hard drive on Windows 10.

Ejecting an External Hard Drive on Windows 10

The first step to safely eject an external hard drive on Windows 10 is to open the File Explorer. You can do this by clicking the File Explorer icon in the taskbar, or by typing File Explorer into the search bar. Once the File Explorer window is open, you’ll need to locate the external hard drive. You can do this by navigating to the “This PC” tab and looking for the hard drive. Once you’ve found it, right-click on the drive and select the “Eject” option. This will begin the process of safely ejecting the external hard drive.

Waiting for the Eject to Complete

Once you’ve selected the “Eject” option, Windows 10 will begin the process of safely ejecting the external hard drive. This can take a few moments, so you’ll need to wait for the process to complete before disconnecting the drive. Once the process is complete, you’ll see a notification in the bottom-right corner of your screen that the drive has been safely ejected.

Safely Disconnecting the Drive

Once the drive has been safely ejected, you can disconnect it from your computer. To do this, simply unplug the USB cable from your computer. If you’re using a wireless external hard drive, you can disconnect it by pressing the power button. Once the drive is disconnected, you can safely store it away.

Preventing Data Loss

To ensure no data is lost when ejecting an external hard drive on Windows 10, it’s important to follow the steps outlined above. Make sure you wait for the eject process to complete before disconnecting the drive, and always remember to unplug the USB cable or press the power button before storing the drive away. By taking these steps, you can help ensure your data remains safe and secure.

Few Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I safely eject an external hard drive in Windows 10?

To safely eject an external hard drive in Windows 10, right-click on the Start button and select “File Explorer”. Select the external hard drive you want to eject, right-click on it and select “Eject”. If you want to check that the drive has been safely ejected, click on the “Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media” icon in the System Tray. This icon looks like a USB plug. When you see the notification that the drive has been safely ejected, you can unplug it from your computer.

2. My computer does not recognize my external hard drive. What should I do?

If your computer does not recognize your external hard drive, you should first check that it is properly connected. Make sure that the USB cable is securely connected to the external hard drive and your computer. If it is properly connected, you may need to update the drivers for your external hard drive. You can do this by downloading the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website.

3. What happens if I don’t eject my external hard drive properly?

If you do not eject your external hard drive properly, you could lose data. It is important to always eject the drive before unplugging it. If you do not do this, it could cause the data on the drive to become corrupted or lost.

4. How do I know if an external hard drive is properly ejected?

When you eject an external hard drive in Windows 10, you should see a notification that the drive has been safely ejected. You can also check the System Tray for the “Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media” icon. This icon looks like a USB plug. If you see this icon, it means the drive has been safely ejected.

5. What happens if my external hard drive is still showing up after I eject it?

If your external hard drive is still showing up after you eject it, you may need to restart your computer. This can help to reset the connection and ensure that the external hard drive is no longer connected to your computer.

6. Can I eject an external hard drive while it is in use?

It is not recommended to eject an external hard drive while it is in use. This could cause the data on the drive to become corrupted or lost. If you need to eject the drive, make sure to close any programs that are using the drive before ejecting it.

In conclusion, the steps to eject an external hard drive in Windows 10 are simple and straightforward. With just a few clicks, you can safely remove the drive and prevent any data loss. So, the next time you need to eject an external hard drive, you know how to do it.