Blog

When you connect external devices like USB drives or printers to your Windows 10 computer, the “Safely Remove Hardware” icon appears in the system tray. This icon helps you safely eject devices to avoid data loss or hardware damage.

Sometimes, you may want to remove this icon, either because you don’t use it often or prefer a cleaner taskbar area. Removing the icon is simple but requires careful steps to avoid accidentally disconnecting devices unsafely.

In this guide, we will walk you through how to safely remove the “Safely Remove Hardware” icon in Windows 10. Each step is explained in detail, so even beginners can follow along easily.

By the end, you will know multiple methods to hide or disable this icon, along with troubleshooting tips if the icon does not behave as expected.

Quick Note Before You Start

Before removing the icon, make sure:

• Your external devices are properly disconnected or not in use.
• You understand that disabling or hiding the icon does not change how Windows handles device safety internally.
• You have administrative access to your Windows 10 system, as some steps require permissions.
• You back up important data from external devices to avoid accidental loss.

How to Remove the Safely Remove Hardware Icon: Step-by-Step

Method 1: Hide the Icon Using Taskbar Settings

This is the easiest and safest way to remove the icon from your screen without affecting device functionality.

1. Right-click on an empty area of the taskbar (the bar at the bottom of your screen).
2. Select Taskbar settings from the menu that appears. This opens a new settings window.
3. Scroll down to the Notification area section and click on Turn system icons on or off.
4. Find Windows Explorer – Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media in the list.
5. Toggle the switch to Off. This will hide the icon from the system tray.

Why this matters: Hiding the icon keeps it from cluttering your taskbar but does not disable the functionality of safely removing hardware.

Method 2: Using the System Tray Settings

If you want to temporarily hide the icon, use this quick method:

1. Click the upward arrow (^) on the right side of your taskbar to show hidden icons.
2. Click and drag the “Safely Remove Hardware” icon from the visible area into the hidden icons popup.

This method simply moves the icon out of sight but keeps it active.

Method 3: Disable the Notification via Group Policy Editor (Advanced)

This option is for advanced users who want to completely disable the notification icon through system settings.

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
3. Navigate to:
   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
4. Find the setting named Remove Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media icon.
5. Double-click it and select Enabled.
6. Click Apply and then OK.
7. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Note: This option is only available on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

Method 4: Disable USB Selective Suspend Settings (Optional)

If the icon keeps appearing because of USB power management, you can try this:

1. Right-click the battery icon in the system tray and select Power Options. Alternatively, search for “Power & sleep settings” in the Start menu.
2. Click on Additional power settings.
3. Next to your current power plan, click Change plan settings.
4. Click Change advanced power settings.
5. In the new window, expand USB settings and then USB selective suspend setting.
6. Set both On battery and Plugged in to Disabled.
7. Click Apply and OK.

This can reduce unnecessary USB notifications but may affect power saving.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I remove the Safely Remove Hardware icon permanently?

Yes, using the Group Policy Editor method or registry edits you can disable the icon permanently. However, it is generally safer to just hide it, so you don’t forget to eject devices properly.

Q2: What happens if I remove a USB device without using the icon?

Removing devices without safely ejecting can cause data loss or corruption, especially if the device is in use. Always save your work and close files before unplugging.

Q3: Why does the icon sometimes disappear on its own?

Windows hides inactive icons automatically to reduce clutter. You can always find hidden icons by clicking the upward arrow on the taskbar.

Q4: Is it safe to disable USB selective suspend?

Disabling USB selective suspend stops Windows from suspending USB ports to save power. This may increase power usage but can solve some USB connection issues.

Q5: My icon won’t hide even after changing settings. What should I do?

Try restarting your computer. If the problem persists, check for Windows updates or use the Group Policy Editor method.

When Nothing Works

If you still cannot remove or hide the Safely Remove Hardware icon, consider these options:

• Restart your computer after making changes to ensure they apply.
• Run Windows Update to check for fixes related to system icons.
• Use the Device Manager to safely disable or uninstall problematic USB controllers (only if you understand the risks).
• Visit the official Microsoft support page: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows

Conclusion

Removing the Safely Remove Hardware icon in Windows 10 is straightforward when you follow the right steps. The safest way is to simply hide the icon using taskbar settings, which keeps device safety intact.

For advanced users, disabling the icon via Group Policy offers a permanent solution but requires administrative access. Remember to always eject your devices properly to avoid data loss.

By understanding why and how this icon works, you can customize your Windows experience without compromising the safety of your external devices.