pulling out a usb flash drive

[vhelp]

I usually use the "safely remove hardware and eject media" procedure for my memory stick / flash drives.

But there are times when I perform that routine, (like right now) it will not recommend removing because:

"This device is currently in use. Close any programs or windows that might be using the device, and then try again."

So my question is:

Is there a way to determine what is still running or using the flash drive ? I tried task mgr but I see nothing showing, nor processes. What else can I do or download or run to find out ? I have to pull the flash drive out now because I have to run something off another flash drive.

[raffriff42]

Meh, lost my post. Quick rewrite:
http://superuser.com/questions/87364/can-windows-tell-me-what-is-using-my-usb-drive
http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-a-Flash-Drive-from-a-Windows-10-Computer
https://www.google.com/search?q=windows+drive+quick+removal

1) use Process Explorer's¹ search function (explained in first link, answer #1)
2) If your drive is set for "quick removal" (default for USB drives) and the drive has finished writing its data, it's [not²] okay to ignore the warning

It helps if background processes like search indexing, media player indexing and file history are disabled for that drive.

EDITS
¹ Process Explorer, not Process Monitor.
² Agree with aedipuss' post below.

[vhelp]

Thank you raff, I will look into your suggestions, much appreciated, and will report back on the success the next time it occurs.

[aedipuss]

personally if windows won't "release" a flash drive i shut down the computer. i've lost more than one drive to removing it if it won't happen using the "safely remove" way.

[Budman1]

I've used an old utility called 'unlocker'. It will not only tell what is locking it but unlock it as well. I have used it through Windows 7 but have not tested it in 8 or 10. There are several versions out there but I use the 1,9.2 version http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/unlocker.html and have no problems. It's also handy for deleting hard to delete/move/copy files



Just be sure to uncheck all the boxes as mentioned in the comments and there is no adware.

[awgie]

Personally, I prefer Process Explorer over Process Monitor. They're both created by the same guy, but Process Monitor provides far more detail than most average users will ever need to see, and it's just easier IMO to use Process Explorer.

You just have to run it as an Administrator to be able to close file handles, as well as to be able to see all of the open handles.

[johns0]

I just unplug the card after putting the files in,windows can be really dumb thinking its unsafe to unplug.

[awgie]

I just unplug the card after putting the files in,windows can be really dumb thinking its unsafe to unplug.

Depending on what file system the drive is using, unplugging it without Windows saying it's safe may be equally dumb. If it's NTFS, Windows could be writing to hidden system files on the drive, and removing it while files are being written to could easily render your flash drive a useless hunk of tin (see aedipuss' earlier post). If it's FAT32 and Windows won't release it, that may be a symptom of an underlying problem, since there should be no reason for a FAT32 drive to be in use, if you're not the one using it.

[pandy]

Fully agree with awgie - depends on filesystem used and policy of system (delayed write, write cache etc) it may significantly change way how user should behave.
Awgie also provided way how to deal with this issue.

[vhelp]

ditto. I have ms access files on these and from experience, if i pull a stick out (when windows is not ready), then the next time I re-insert it, I will get a "drive corrupt" message. And windows will ask to fix. No problem. However, its a major problem when you have ms access database files on them. Apparently, windows miss-reads? db files and scrubs them, corrupts them, making them inoperable. So, for me, its a no-no to pull these out w/out first checking if ok to do so. Yes, windows is quirky and sometimes, mysterious, and other times, stupid. This is for XP and 7, by the way. I rarely use 10 unless i'm on my other, newer laptop, though i'm sure its just as stupid in these cases with memory sticks. It would just be nice if there were a quick and symple way to see what file(s) is still open. Probably a file that crashed, since I often pull other memory stick out w/out asking (that don't have database's on it, and/or one or two files). But anything with databases I always go the "ask" route.

[myr]

http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbdlm_e.html
http://www.uwe-sieber.de/usbtreeview_e.html
http://www.uwe-sieber.de/drivetools_e.html

[vhelp]

@ raff, just tried one of your suggestions on a known mem stick that is busy, and the method (processexplorer) appears to work.

Thank you everyone for your helpful suggestions. I have more than one solution to try. Much appreciated.