Remove your external device using the same method that you normally use for your operating system; for instance, not while the computer is reading or writing to the device. There is a method to ensure this, and that is to click the icon in the Windows notification area (system tray) that says ‘Safely remove hardware and eject media.’ The exception to this is that with EncryptUSB, the app will always be running, checking for the external device. So you will see this message (image below) even when it may be safe to remove it. As long as there is no other interaction with the device, it’s safe to remove it.