Microsoft changed the default removal policy for external storage devices in Windows 10 version 1809 to quick removal.

Two removal policies are supported for external storage devices in Microsoft's Windows operating system: quick removal and better performance.

Quick removal is the safer option as it ensures that devices can be disconnected from the Windows PC directly. Better performance improves performance but requires that users need to use the "Safely remove hardware" option before they unplug external storage devices. Failure to do so may lead to data loss.

Better Performance has been the default but Microsoft switched the default to Quick Removal in Windows 10 version 1809.

Windows defines two main policies, Quick removal and Better performance, that control how the system interacts with external storage devices such as USB thumb drives or Thunderbolt-enabled external drives. Beginning in Windows 10 version 1809, the default policy is Quick removal.

The company published a new support article -- six months after the initial release of Windows 10 version 1809 -- that describes the change that has been made.

Windows 10: Setting up removal policies

You can switch the removal policy from quick removal to better performance. Doing so may improve the performance when the device is used but it may lead to data loss if the device is not disconnected properly from the Windows PC.

Here is how you can change the removal policy on Windows 10:

Connect the storage device to the Windows PC. Use Windows-X to display the admin menu. Select Disk Management from the options. Right-click on the label of the external storage device in the lower section of the Disk Management interface and select Properties from the context menu. Switch to the Policies tab. Select "quick removal" or "better performance". Optional: select "enable write caching on the device to improve system performance. Note that this may lead to data loss in the case of a power outage and other scenarios. Select ok to complete the process.

Windows remembers the setting for each storage device and uses it automatically. Just remember that you need to select the "Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media" icon in the System Tray area when you want to remove devices if you select Better Performance.

Now You: Better Performance or Quick Removal, what is your preferred setting? (via Deskmodder)

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Summary Article Name Windows 10 1809: Quick Removal new default for external storage devices Description Microsoft changed the default removal policy for external storage devices in Windows 10 version 1809 to quick removal. Author Martin Brinkmann Publisher Ghacks Technology News Logo

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