Guide to Safely Remove a Specific Device from Windows Hardware List

Key Notes

  • Access Device Manager and locate your device.
  • Modify the registry to change device capabilities.
  • Schedule a task for persistent settings.

Streamlining Your Device Management: Excluding Devices from the Safely Remove Hardware List

Managing devices on Windows can sometimes be cumbersome, especially when unnecessary items clutter the Safely Remove Hardware list. This guide will walk you through the process of excluding specific devices from this menu, enhancing your Windows 10 or Windows 11 experience.

How to Exclude a Device from the Safely Remove Hardware List in Windows 10/11

Step 1: Access Device Manager

Begin by pressing Win + R to open the Run dialog. Type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter to launch Device Manager.

Step 2: Locate Device and Copy Hardware ID

Find the device you want to remove from the list (for example, a TP-Link Wireless USB Adapter).Right-click on it and choose Properties. Switch to the Details tab, select Hardware IDs from the dropdown menu, and copy the device’s identification code.

Step 3: Modify Registry Settings

Press Win + R again, type regedit, and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor. Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\USB

Find the key associated with your device and expand it. Locate the Capabilities parameter and change its value to 60 (in Hex format).Ensure to do this for any subkeys as well.

Step 4: Schedule a Task for Permanent Changes

To keep the Capabilities setting from reverting, you can create a scheduled task. Open Task Scheduler by executing taskschd.msc. Use the following command:

schtasks /create /tn "Remove_TPLinkUSBAdapter_Safe_Removal" /sc ONSTART /ru SYSTEM /rl HIGHEST /tr "reg.exe add 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\USB\VID_2357&PID_010C\00E04C0001' /v Capabilities /t reg_dword /d 0x00000060 /f"

This ensures that your device remains hidden from the Safely Remove Hardware list every time your system starts.

Temporarily Eject a Device via Terminal

To safely disconnect the device, run the following command in the terminal: RunDll32.exe shell32.dll, Control_RunDLL hotplug.dll. This opens the Safely Remove dialog for your use.

Troubleshooting: USB Eject Option Missing

If the eject option isn’t visible for your USB device, check the USB selective suspend setting in the Power Options. Navigate to the Control Panel, choose Power Options, click on “Change plan settings, ” and then “Change advanced power settings.” Expand the “USB settings” section and ensure that USB selective suspend is turned off.

Additional Tips

  • Double-check that the changes in the registry take effect after every reboot.
  • Consider backing up your registry before making any changes to prevent potential issues.
  • Review your device settings regularly to ensure optimal performance.

Summary

This guide provided clear instructions on how to remove specified devices from the Safely Remove Hardware list in Windows 10 and 11. By accessing Device Manager, modifying registry settings, and scheduling a task, users can streamline their device management experience.

Conclusion

Optimizing your Windows environment can significantly enhance your user experience. By following these steps to exclude unwanted devices from the Safely Remove Hardware list, you can maintain a more organized and effective workspace.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can I reverse the changes made to the registry?

Yes, you can easily revert the changes in the Registry Editor by modifying the Capabilities value back to its original setting.

Is it safe to modify the Windows registry?

While modifying the registry is a common troubleshooting step, it is essential to back up the registry before making changes to prevent any potential system issues.