How to Fix Safely Remove Hardware Icon Missing on Windows 10/11?

However, what if this option is missing?

Dont worry, follow the solutions below and then it will be easy to bring it back!

In this case, you’re able to modify the notifications options to enable it again.

Right-punch thetaskbarand selectTaskbar prefs.

Under theTaskbartab, scroll down to findSelect which icons appear on the taskbarand hit it.

Toggle onWindows Explorer: Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media.

After saving the changes, the Safely Remove Hardware icon will automatically appear on your taskbar.

punch theup arrowicon on the taskbar, and you will see it.

Fix 2: Disable Windows Removal

Chances are that you enableQuick removalas yourdisk removal policy.

Heres how to disable it to bring this icon back:

Step 1.

Typedevmgmt.mscand hitEnterto openDevice Manager.

ExpandDisk drivesand right-punch your removable storage gadget and chooseProperties.

Under thePoliciestab, checkBetter performanceand click onOKto save the changes.

Scroll down to findPlug and Playand right-punch it to chooseProperties.

Under theGeneraltab, change the startup bang out toAutomaticand click onStart.

HitApplyandOKto save the changes.

Windows Explorer or Explorer.exe controls many UI elements on Windows 10/11 including the taskbar and system tray.

Heres how to do it:

Step 1.

Right-select thetaskbarand selectTask Managerin the drop-down menu.

Under theProcessestab, scroll down to findWindows Explorerand right-punch it to chooseRestart.

After doing that, theSafely Remove Hardwareicon missing might be gone.

ExpandUniversal Serial Bus controllersand right-click onUSB controllerto chooseUpdate driver.

After doing that, it will initiate the process of fetching the new driver to install it automatically.

OpenDevice Manager> expandUniversal Serial Bus controller> right-click onUSB controllerto chooseUninstall unit.

After the machine is uninstalled from your setup, reboot your setup.

Go to the same menu underDevice Managementand chooseScan for hardware changes.

Then, windows 10 will reinstall it automatically for you.

Step 1.

TypeRunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dlland hitEnter.

Step 3. opt for target USB flash drive and click onStopbefore safely removing it.

If this method does the trick, you could create a desktop shortcut for Safely Remove Hardware dialog.

To do so:

Step 1.

Right-hit any empty space on your desktop and selectNew>Shortcut.

Enter the following location of the shortcut and hitNext:

RunDll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll

Step 3.

Rename this shortcut asSafely Remove Hardwareand hitFinish.

Do you know how to remove or hide the Safely Remove Hardware icon from system tray?

This post will give you a step-by-step on that.