Windows 10 changes default USB stick ejection policy

Microsoft is adjusting the default policy that Windows 10 uses when ejecting external storage media such as USB sticks. Instead of ‘better performance’, the setting now defaults to ‘quick removal’.

This means that users can remove the external storage media from the PC without being prompted to go through the Safely Remove Hardware procedure to disconnect devices. The change from default applies to Windows 10 version 1809, or the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, and later versions, Microsoft reports.

Until now, the setting was ‘better performance’ which enabled the write cache in Windows for better system performance. This also meant that there was a risk of data loss in the event of a power or system failure or when removing a USB stick or external HDD or SSD from the PC.

Users can manually reset the policy through the properties of external storage media under the Policies tab. Microsoft recommends that you check “Enable write cache on the device” if users change the setting back to “better performance”.