Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Finish any copy or save in progress, close files and apps that may be using the USB drive, then try the operating system’s normal eject control again. If it remains busy, sign out and back in; on a Mac, Apple’s next step for a stubborn external disk is to shut down before disconnecting it. Wait for writes to finish and for the system to indicate safe removal before unplugging the drive.
Why a USB drive may appear to be in use
The warning usually means an app or open document is still accessing the volume. On a Mac, the alert may identify the app. On Windows, an open file handle held by another program is one possible cause, but the exact process depends on the computer; the message alone does not identify it.
Closing the drive’s File Explorer or Finder window may not be enough. Close documents stored on the drive and quit apps that may be using them. Most importantly, do not unplug the drive while a copy, save, or other write is still underway: some Windows removal policies can cache writes, and safe removal gives those operations time to finish.
Try these steps first on any computer
- Let current work finish. Wait for any file copy, save, or transfer to complete. If an app is still writing to the drive, do not interrupt it by disconnecting the device.
- Close files and likely apps. Close documents stored on the drive, then quit the apps that opened them. If the operating system names an app in its warning, start with that app.
- Retry the normal eject command. Use the operating system’s eject or safe-removal control for the correct device and wait for its confirmation.
- Escalate only if it is still blocked. Save your other work, then sign out and back in and retry. On a Mac with a stubborn external disk, Apple advises shutting down before disconnecting it, then starting the Mac again.
Safely eject a USB drive in Windows 11 or Windows 10
- Finish transfers and save or close any documents on the drive. Quit apps that may be using files stored there.
- In the taskbar notification area, select the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon. If it is hidden, select the arrow to show hidden icons.
- Select Eject for the correct device. Wait for the Safe To Remove Hardware notification before disconnecting the drive. Microsoft also documents device removal through Settings; the available controls can vary by device and Windows configuration. Microsoft’s Windows safe-removal instructions explain the process.
- If Windows still refuses to eject, save your work and sign out, then sign back in and try again. A Microsoft Community moderator has also suggested checking active processes or using Disk Management, but that archived community advice is not a universal current procedure; avoid ending processes or changing disk settings unless you know what they do.
Windows offers Quick removal and Better performance media-removal policies. Better performance may cache writes and requires using safe removal; changing a policy is not a fix for a drive that is currently locked. Microsoft advises safely removing USB flash drives and external hard drives to avoid data loss.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Lexar D40E 128GB Dual USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C Jump Drive, Champagne Silver
- USB-C 2-in-1 storage OTG: The Lexar JumpDrive Dual Drive D40E features USB Type-A and Type-C connectors in a slim, portable form factor for easy device compatibility
- Transfer speeds up to 100MB/s: Based on internal testing, performance may vary depending upon the host device, interface, and usage conditions. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes
- Plug and Play: Widely compatible with USB Type-C smartphones, tablets, laptops, Macs, and traditional Type-A devices, no software installation required. The 360° swivel design allows for easy switching between connectors without the hassle of losing a cap
- Durable & Compact: The Lexar D40E USB memory stick features a metal enclosure, withstands temperatures from 0° to 50° C (32°F to 122°F), and is lightweight at 26g with dimensions of 70.4 x 16.9 x 11.7mm
- Security & Warranty: Securely protects files using an advanced security software solution with 256-bit AES encryption. Backed by a Lexar 3-year limited warranty
Safely eject a USB drive in macOS
- If the warning identifies an app, quit it. Otherwise, press Command-Tab to review open apps, quit likely users, and close documents stored on the drive.
- Try ejecting the disk again in Finder. Apple notes that one or more apps using a disk can prevent ejection. See Apple’s guidance for when an app is using a disk.
- If the disk remains stuck, save your work, log out and log back in, then retry.
- For a stubborn external disk, shut down the Mac before disconnecting it, then start the Mac again. Apple recommends this escalation rather than treating Force Eject as the routine first response.
GNOME and other Linux desktops
In GNOME, use the file manager’s eject control for the external device. Open files being used by an application can prevent safe removal, so close those files and apps, then try again. Eject controls and behavior differ across Linux desktop environments; use the normal safe-removal control provided by yours and wait for it to finish before unplugging.
Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 3
Bestseller No. 4
Best Value
IMEASON Swivel Design 16GB USB Flash Drive with Keychain, USB 2.0 Portable Thumb Drive Memory Stick, FAT32 Format Flashdrive for Data Storage, Photos, Music, Files (Black, 16 GB)
- 【16GB Flash Drive】USB flash drives with 16GB capacity, meet your needs of daily use on work, school, home and travelling for photos, music, videos, files storage and transfer. IMEASON thumb drives can be used to store different files, easy to data backup.
- 【Metal Swivel Cap Design】USB thumb drive is metal swivel cover provides extra protection for the usb thumbdrive connector, no usb drive cap to lose; keychain design makes it easier to carry without worrying lose it.
- 【Wide Compatibility】USB drive supports Windows 7/8/10/11 / Vista / XP / Unix / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, also Supports USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports. USB Stick support TV, desktop, notebook computer, car, audio and other device. The USB Memory Stick is your great data storage and transfer companion with traveling and working.
- 【Easy to use】usb memory stick is plug and play without any software installation. Just simply plug the Flashdrive into the port of your USB-compatible devices such as computer, laptop to start data storage or transmission.
- 【What You Get】16 GB USB Flash Drive Thumb Drive, The default format of the usb storage flash drive is FAT32.
Rank #4
SIMMAX 32GB Memory Stick USB 2.0 Flash Drives Swivel Thumb Drive Pen Drive (32GB Purple)
- GOOD VALUE PACKAGE - 1 Pack 32GB Memory Stick USB 2.0 Flash Drives with great cost performance and high quality.
- BIG CAPACITY - The available capacity: 29.10GB-29.8GB, You can save the data of movies, music, photos, designs, programs, manuals, handouts in a high speed.Good performance in digital data storing, transferring and sharing with families, friends, workmates, clients and machines.
- EASY TO USE & PLUG AND WORK - Support windows 7 / 8 / 10 / Vista / XP / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, Compatible with USB2.0 and below.
- TWISTTURN DESIGN & EASY CARRY - The metal clip rotates 360° round the ABS plastic body which with rubber oil skin feeling finish. The capless design can avoid lossing of cap, and providing efficient protection to the USB port.
- WARRANTY & SUPPORT - SIMMAX logo is laser printed on the USB connector surface, our products are of good quality and we promise that any problem about the product within one year since you buy.
Rank #3
2 Pack 64GB USB Flash Drive USB 2.0 Thumb Drives Jump Drive Fold Storage Memory Stick Swivel Design - Black
- What You Get - 2 pack 64GB genuine USB 2.0 flash drives, 12-month warranty and lifetime friendly customer service
- Great for All Ages and Purposes – the thumb drives are suitable for storing digital data for school, business or daily usage. Apply to data storage of music, photos, movies and other files
- Easy to Use - Plug and play USB memory stick, no need to install any software. Support Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / Vista / XP / Unix / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports
- Convenient Design - 360°metal swivel cap with matt surface and ring designed zip drive can protect USB connector, avoid to leave your fingerprint and easily attach to your key chain to avoid from losing and for easy carrying
- Brand Yourself - Brand the flash drive with your company's name and provide company's overview, policies, etc. to the newly joined employees or your customers
Rank #2
SANDISK 128GB Ultra Flair, USB-A Flash Drive, Up to 150MB/s Read Speeds
- High-speed USB 3.0 performance of up to 150MB/s(1) [(1) Write to drive up to 15x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); varies by drive capacity. Up to 150MB/s read speed. USB 3.0 port required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, usage conditions, and other factors; 1MB=1,000,000 bytes]
- Transfer a full-length movie in less than 30 seconds(2) [(2) Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.0 host device. Results may vary based on host device, file attributes and other factors]
- Transfer to drive up to 15 times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives(1)
- Sleek, durable metal casing
- Easy-to-use password protection for your private files(3) [(3)Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Mac OS X v10.9 plus; Software download required for Mac, visit the SanDisk SecureAccess support page]
When it is safe to unplug
- Any copy, save, or transfer has finished.
- Documents on the drive are closed and apps using them have quit.
- The operating system has completed its eject or safe-removal action. On Windows, wait for the Safe To Remove Hardware notification.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
