Fix: Problem Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device on Windows

Problem ejecting a USB in Windows 10 or 11? Do you get the “This device is currently in use” message? Here are 6 solutions to solve this problem.

Problem Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device.
This device is currently in use. Close any programs or windows that might be using the device, and then try again.

Problem Ejecting USB Mass Storage Device in Windows 10

Close all programs

The first thing you should do is to close all programs that are running and then try safely ejecting your USB device.

Safely eject a USB device in Microsoft Windows 10

Refresh

1. Right-click on an empty area on your desktop and then click on Refresh.

Refresh Windows 10 desktop

2. Try to safely eject your USB device.

Safely eject a USB device in Microsoft Windows 10

Empty Recycle Bin

1. Right-click on the Recycle Bin and then click on Empty Recycle Bin.

Empty Recycle Bin

2. Try to safely eject your USB device.

Safely eject a USB device in Microsoft Windows 10

Windows Task Manager

1. Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar and then click on Task Manager.

Or use the following methods to open Task Manager:

  • Right-click on the start menu button and then click on Task Manager.
  • Press the Windows Windows key + R keys on your keyboard, type taskmgr and then click on OK or press the Enter key on your keyboard.
  • Press the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys on your keyboard and then click on Task Manager.

2. In the Processes tab, you scroll down to Windows Explorer.

Find the Windows Explorer process in the Windows Task Manager

Note: If you don't see the Processes tab, then you will have to click on More details located in the bottom left of the Task Manager window.

Show more details in Windows Task Manager

3. Right-click on Windows Explorer and then click on End task.

End Windows Explorer process in Windows Task Manager

4. Click on File (top left) and then click on Run new task.

Run a new task in Windows Task Manager

5. Type explorer.exe.

6. Click on OK or press Enter.

Start Windows Explorer process in Windows Task Manager

7. Close all windows and try to safely eject your USB device.

Safely eject a USB device in Microsoft Windows 10

Reboot

Most of the time, it's faster to reboot (restart) your PC than checking to find the problem.

Device Manager 1

1. Open Windows “Device Manager”.

Four ways to open Device Manager:

  • Search for device manager in the Windows search bar or Cortana and then click on Device Manager when it appears.
  • Right-click on the start menu button and then click on Device Manager.
  • Press the Windows Windows key + R keys on your keyboard, type devmgmt.msc in the “Run” dialog and then click on OK or press the Enter key on your keyboard.
  • Right-click on the start menu button, click on Run, type devmgmt.msc in the “Run” dialog and then click on OK or press the Enter key on your keyboard.

2. Expand Disk drives.

3. Right-click on the USB drive you want to eject and then click on Uninstall device.

Uninstall a USB device in Windows Device Manager

A confirmation message will appear.

4. Click on the Uninstall button.

5. When the uninstall process is complete, you can remove your USB device.

Device Manager 2

1. Open Windows “Device Manager”.

Four ways to open Device Manager:

  • Search for device manager in the Windows search bar or Cortana and then click on Device Manager when it appears.
  • Right-click on the start menu button and then click on Device Manager.
  • Press the Windows Windows key + R keys on your keyboard, type devmgmt.msc in the “Run” dialog and then click on OK or press the Enter key on your keyboard.
  • Right-click on the start menu button, click on Run, type devmgmt.msc in the “Run” dialog and then click on OK or press the Enter key on your keyboard.

2. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.

3. Right-click on USB Mass Storage Device and then click on Uninstall device.

Uninstall a USB Mass Storage Device in Windows Device Manager

A confirmation message will appear.

4. Click on the Uninstall button.

5. When the uninstall process is complete, you can remove your USB device.