Proper USB Flash Drive Shutdown
info@drakehs.com

Computer operating systems have come a long way since Windows 3.1, when computer hardware shutdown was as simple as a press of the 'off' button. If you run a system with Windows 95 or later, you know the procedure when you're ready to shut your computer down. You also know you need to follow the procedure, and you probably learned quickly that if you don't, your operating system will lecture you on proper shutdown when you next start your machine.

The computer shutdown process is important for several reasons. Following the process ensures that the computer's functions shut down in an orderly fashion, and also makes sure that any changes you have made to the system settings are saved. Abruptly cutting all power to the operating system may corrupt the computer's internal database, which may cause disruptions and errors later on.

All of this, of course, is probably old news to you. What you may not realize is that besides your operating system, if you have peripheral hardware connected to your system - USB flash drives, for example - there is also a proper shutdown procedure to follow. Remembering this could save you plenty of time and frustration over lost data.

USB flash drives, just like nearly every other piece of computer hardware, contain delicate components and processes that require good care to continue working well. When you insert a flash drive into one of your computer's USB ports, the hardware functions as another drive (like a hard drive, CD-DVD ROM, etc.) on your computer, with communication and data passing back and forth between the operating system and the flash drive. When you eject the flash drive, you are essentially telling the computer to 'shut the door' between the drive and the operating system, so that the computer doesn't attempt to send or receive information.

Remembering to properly eject your flash drive ensures that you won't forget to save documents you are editing and other stored files - the flash drive will not allow you to eject until all items have been closed! Additionally, properly ejecting your flash drive makes it less likely that you'll forget it in the USB port before you leave your workstation.

Easy steps to proper USB flash drive removal:

1. Close all files stored on the USB flash drive that you may have opened to edit
   
   
2. Locate the "Remove Hardware" button on the lower righthand corner of your screen on your menu bar. If you have several program icons in the same area, you may need to expand the view there by pressing the << button.
   
   
   
   
3. Once you have located the "Remove Hardware Button," left click on the image.
   
   
   
   
If the flash drive is not currently your only peripheral device, you will need to select its name from the list that will appear.



Otherwise, select your USB flash drive from the menu and left click again.


4. A balloon message should appear above the icon, saying you've been successful.
   
   
   
5. Remove your USB flash drive from the USB port. If it has a cover for the USB port end, be sure to put it on.

It is worth taking the few minutes necessary to complete the correct procedure. In the long run, you'll avoid risking damage to both the flash drive itself and the files you've stored - letting you keep money in your pockets and peace of mind.