[RESOLVED] Can I unsafely remove my USB flash drive?

[MMock]

My flash drive has been plugged into the USB port for a couple of days now because I keep getting:

...try stopping the device again later

when I try to "safely" remove my hardware.

So finally I googled it, and my first hit was this:
http://www.freewaregenius.com/2007/06/24/how-to-eject-a-usb-drive-when-windows-doesnt-want-to/

But I am wondering, can't I just pull it out if I know it's safe, because why wouldn't it be? It's not in the middle of writing my data.

Thanks.

[Kasracer]

I have a drive that has U3 on it which is great for portable applications but every so often it'll leave a process hanging that I can't find and it won't eject so I just yank that sucker and it's fine. As long as nothing is writing to it it'll be fine.

Just always make sure you back up your data regardless of how safe you are.

Also, Windows may ask to scan your drive the next time you plug it in but that's not a big deal, you can say no or let it scan just in case.

[Shaggy Hiker]

I've done it by accident so many times that if it was a problem, I would have encountered it.

On the other hand, you could just play it safe, and leave that thing plugged in for the rest of the time you have the computer. You never know.

[MMock]

On the other hand, you could just play it safe, and leave that thing plugged in for the rest of the time you have the computer. You never know.

Thanks, but doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of having a portable drive?!

[mendhak]

You've plugged it in for too long and now the OS thinks that the USB drive is part of the computer. If you leave it out for too long, your computer will stop working and all your data will be lost.

That and it's a little past April 1 anyways, so ignore what I said. Your USB drive might be old, falling apart, failing, anything. But it's usually safe to pull it out when you want. I believe Windows does a bit of data-buffering for the USB ports to make this a safe operation for you. Are you getting that error while it's still plugged in and you're not touching the USB drive in any way (at least not inappropriately)?

[MMock]

Okay, you guys are all very funny...I'm pulling it out!

Thanks,
Marlene

[MMock]

And yes it was still plugged in when I got the error, and no there was no inappropriate touching going on, I should've posted the whole message but I was lazy.

If it happens again I'll add to this thread.

Thanks,
Marlene

[techgnome]

We are Windows of Microsoft... unplugging is futile.... you will be assimilated.

-tg

[FishGuy]

I always insert and remove my USB Drives at will, I never use the "safely remove hardware" tamewasting Windows rubbish.