Unable To Eject External USB Hard Drive After Feature Update To Windows 11 Version 24

[PinguJohn]

Since installing the Feature Update To Windows 11 Version 24H2 via Windows Update, I can no longer eject my external usb hard drive.

I get the message "Windows can't stop your 'Volume' device because a program is still using it. Close any programs that might be using the device and then try again later."

The problem is that no program is using the device so the only way is to shut down the PC and then unplug the device and then restart the PC.

This never happened before I installed the Feature Update To Windows 11 Version 24H2.

I use my external usb hard drive as a security copy of all my documents, pictures etc.

Any help would be appreciated.

John

[fink]

See if any of these solutions help. Start with turning off the indexing of the drive.

https://www.stellarinfo.com/blog/fix...-device-error/

[PinguJohn]

Thanks for your reply.

I tried all the solutions in your link without success, I still cannot eject my external usb hard drive.

[Steve R Jones]

Is the Quick Removal option enabled?

[Midknyte]

Open Search, and type "Resource Monitor"
Open Resource Monitor
Click on the CPU tab
Expand "Associated Handles"
In the search field, type in the drive letter of your USB drive (Ex. X:\ )
You should see which processes/services are using your drive

[PinguJohn]

Hi Steve

Quick Removal option is chosen

[PinguJohn]

Hi Midknyte

No processes/services are using the drive

[fink]

What's the make/model of the drive? Try temp disabling your antivirus program. Also worth trying to use a different USB port ... switch to/from 2.0 to 3.x or vice versa if you can.

[PinguJohn]

Hi fink

Drive is WD Elements 1.82 TB WBDU6Y0020BBK-05

[fink]

How long are you waiting to eject it after use? Default auto shutdown time is 20 minutes. Try waiting longer than that to see if it makes a difference when it's no longer spinning/active. You can also change the default shutdown time if you wish.

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/change...dows-11.10255/

[Midknyte]

Hi Midknyte

No processes/services are using the drive

Hmm, that's strange. After you enter the drive letter, you need to wait a minute for it to show the processes.

[jdc2000]

That Windows 11 "update" has had a large number of issues. You may have just discovered another one.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/new-wi...pdate-for-now/

[emmamegan]

Here are few ways to resolve this problem

1. Use Task Manager to Identify Open Handles
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Check the Processes tab for any applications that might be accessing your external drive (e.g., File Explorer, backup software, antivirus scans).
End the relevant processes and try ejecting the drive again.

2. Use "Safely Remove Hardware" Tool
Right-click the USB icon in the system tray and select Safely Remove Hardware.

you can copy this code
rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll
This opens the Safely Remove Hardware tool with more control.

3. Check for Indexing or Antivirus Scans
The update might have enabled Windows indexing on the drive. To disable it:
Right-click the drive in File Explorer > Properties > Uncheck Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed > Click OK.
Similarly, check if your antivirus is scanning the drive. Temporarily disable it and try ejecting again.

4. Use Disk Management
Press Win + X and select Disk Management.
Right-click your external drive and select Offline.
Once it's offline, you should be able to eject it safely.

5. Force Eject via Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Type:
"diskpart"

"list disk"
"select disk X"
"offline disk"


6. Update Drivers
Go to Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager).
Expand Disk Drives, right-click your external drive, and choose Update Driver.
Update any chipset or USB drivers that might be outdated due to the recent Windows update.
If these steps don?t work, it could be a bug in the 24H2 update. Reporting it via the Feedback Hub can help Microsoft address the issue in future patches.