What Is Hard Drive Removal Policy? How to Access It Windows 10/11 - MiniTool

Understanding and Managing Hard Drive Removal Policies in Windows 10/11

Improperly disconnecting external drives can lead to data loss. Windows offers two removal policies to mitigate this risk: Quick Removal and Better Performance. This guide explains these policies and how to access and modify them.

Hard Drive Removal Policies Explained

Before disconnecting any external drive (hard drive or USB drive), ensure all operations on the drive are complete. Then, safely eject the device before physically disconnecting it.

Windows provides two key removal policies:

• Quick Removal: This disables write caching. You can disconnect the drive without using the "Safely Remove Hardware" option. This prevents data corruption from interrupted transfers.

• Better Performance: This enables write caching for faster file transfers. However, you must use the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon to safely disconnect the drive to avoid data loss.

While previously the default was "Better Performance," Windows 10 version 1809 and later versions default to "Quick Removal."

Accessing and Changing the Removal Policy

You can adjust the removal policy in three ways:

Method 1: File Explorer

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Right-click your external drive and select "Properties."
3. Under "Hardware," select the drive and click "Properties."
4. In "General," click "Change settings."
5. Under "Policies," you'll see the current removal policy. Change it as needed.

Method 2: Device Manager

1. Right-click the Start menu and select "Device Manager."
2. Expand "Disk drives."
3. Right-click your external drive and select "Properties."
4. Under "Policies," choose between "Quick removal" and "Better performance."

Method 3: Disk Management

1. Search for "disk management" and press Enter.
2. Right-click your external drive and select "Properties."
3. Navigate to "Hardware," select your drive, and click "Properties."
4. Choose your preferred policy under "Policies."

Data Protection: The Importance of Backups

Incorrectly removing a drive can lead to file corruption or data loss. Regular backups are crucial. MiniTool ShadowMaker is a free backup solution compatible with Windows that allows you to back up files, folders, disks, drives, and even your system.

1. Run MiniTool ShadowMaker and navigate to the "Backup" page.
2. Select your backup source (files/folders) under "SOURCE."
3. Choose your destination under "DESTINATION."
4. Click "Back Up Now" to begin the backup process.

Conclusion

Choose the hard drive removal policy ("Quick Removal" or "Better Performance") that best suits your needs. Remember to always safely eject your external drives and regularly back up your important data to prevent potential data loss.

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