What is the correct way to remove a USB Flash Drive from your computer?

I know to you regulars here this must be such an easy question. I think I know how but I just want to double check in case I'm screwing up somehow.





I do it by right clicking on that green arrow next to my screen clock and selecting "Safely Remove Hardware" and then choosing to stop my flash drive. Am I doing this correctly?





I'm running Windows XP Home.

What is the correct way to remove a USB Flash Drive from your computer?
Yeah that's right. Wait for the little bar to pop up that says "You may now safely remove . . ." then pull it out.





One are where lots of people mess up is this: They delete something from the flash drive (which sends it to the recycle bin) and the eject the drive. This is BAD. You MUST empty your recycle bin BEFORE you eject the flash drive, or the space is never fully freed and can become corrupt.
Reply:That's the safest way. But, you can configure your USB drive for quick removal. Then, as long as your PC isn't writing to the USB drive, you can yank it out whenever you want.
Reply:When you plug in you USB memory you'll see an icon on right hand side of the taskbar. when you're done working with your USB memory, simply click on the icon and choose the only option after that you'll see a message that you can safety plug out your memory.
Reply:Yes - you are doing it correctly.





I usually just make sure its done copying and yank it out though.
Reply:Yes, that sounds right. Does a little balloon then pop up saying you can now safely remove your hardware? If so, your all set.