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Mary Burger

Unplugging USB Drives: Modern Rules vs. Old Myths




You know that moment when you rush to grab your USB drive but then see a message telling you to "safely remove" it? That warning used to be super important, like a rule carved in stone. If you didn't follow it, your computer could throw a fit, messing up your files and crashing.


But guess what? In the world of Windows 10 and 11, things have changed. Microsoft confirmed back in 2019 that you can unplug your USB drive without worrying, as long as you're not in the middle of copying something.


Here's the deal: nowadays, your computer doesn't constantly update your USB drive in the background. It waits for you to tell it to write files, usually when you copy and paste stuff.


In Windows 10 and 11, there are two settings for USB drives: "Quick Removal" and "Better Performance." Quick Removal means you can pull out your USB drive anytime, no problem. Better Performance speeds up transfers but needs you to eject the drive properly.


But here's the kicker: most people won't notice much difference between the two settings, unless you're a pro dealing with big files all the time.



So, here's the scoop: if you're not busy copying files, it's safe to pull out your USB drive whenever you want. Modern systems won't mess up your stuff. But if you still like to play it safe, you can click "Safely Remove Hardware" - it won't hurt.


Bottom line? No need to stress over ejecting your USB drive anymore. Modern tech has got your back.


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