diff --git a/windows/client-management/change-default-removal-policy-external-storage-media.md b/windows/client-management/change-default-removal-policy-external-storage-media.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..5c8a716f9b --- /dev/null +++ b/windows/client-management/change-default-removal-policy-external-storage-media.md @@ -0,0 +1,50 @@ +--- +title: Windows 10 default media removal policy +description: In Windows 10, version 1809, the default removal policy for external storage media changed from "Better performance" to "Quick removal." +ms.prod: w10 +author: Teresa-Motiv +ms.author: v-tea +ms.date: 12/13/2019 +ms.prod: w10 +ms.topic: article +ms.custom: +- CI 111493 +- CSSTroubleshooting +audience: ITPro +ms.localizationpriority: medium +manager: kaushika +--- + +# Change in default removal policy for external storage media 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**. + +In earlier versions of Windows the default policy was **Better performance**. + +You can change the policy setting for each external device, and the policy that you set remains in effect if you disconnect the device and then connect it again to the same computer port. + +## More information + +You can use the storage device policy setting to change the manner in which Windows manages storage devices to better meet your needs. The policy settings have the following effects: + +* **Quick removal**: This policy manages storage operations in a manner that keeps the device ready to remove at any time. You can remove the device without using the Safely Remove Hardware process. However, to do this, Windows cannot cache disk write operations. This may degrade system performance. +* **Better performance**: This policy manages storage operations in a manner that improves system performance. When this policy is in effect, Windows can cache write operations to the external device. However, you must use the Safely Remove Hardware process to remove the external drive. The Safely Remove Hardware process protects the integrity of data on the device by making sure that all cached operations finish. + > [!IMPORTANT] + > If you use the **Better performance** policy, you must use the Safely Remove Hardware process to remove the device. If you remove or disconnect the device without following the safe removal instructions, you risk losing data. + + > [!NOTE] + > If you select **Better performance**, we recommend that you also select **Enable write caching on the device**. + +To change the policy for an external storage device: + +1. Connect the device to the computer. +2. Right-click **Start**, then select **File Explorer**. +3. In File Explorer, identify the letter or label that is associated with the device (for example, **USB Drive (D:)**). +4. Right-click **Start**, then select **Disk Management**. +5. In the lower section of the Disk Management window, right-click the label of the device, and then select **Properties**. + + ![In Disk Management, right-click the device and click Properties.](./change-def-rem-policy-1.png) + +6. Select **Policies**, and then select the policy you want to use. + + ![Policy options for disk management](./change-def-rem-policy-2.png) diff --git a/windows/client-management/images/change-def-rem-policy-1.png b/windows/client-management/images/change-def-rem-policy-1.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..4d99854104 Binary files /dev/null and b/windows/client-management/images/change-def-rem-policy-1.png differ diff --git a/windows/client-management/images/change-def-rem-policy-2.png b/windows/client-management/images/change-def-rem-policy-2.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..d05d5dd16f Binary files /dev/null and b/windows/client-management/images/change-def-rem-policy-2.png differ