Windows 7 Does Not Power Off USB Device Even After Ejecting

I have a few removable HDD connected to my computer. These HDDs contain files that I need sporadically; so I switch them On when needed and after use, I use the option to ‘Safely Eject USB device’ and power them off.

I was not pleased to discover that under Windows 7, even after ejecting the drive, the drive continued to be powered on. Most of the branded drives I use automatically spin down the HDD if not under use, but the drive itself still remained powered on until I physically yanked the USB cable or switched Off the power adapter.

The problem is aggravated if using USB Memory Sticks. Brands like Kingston fail if the drive is removed from the USB port while drive is still active/powered-on.

Microsoft has posted a solution for this and this article highlights it: 

Global Setting

To apply the workaround globally for all enumerated USB devices, add a REG_DWORD value named DisableOnSoftRemove that has a value of 1 to the following registry subkey: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\usbhub\HubG

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit in the Open box, and then click OK .
2. Locate and then click the following subkey in the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\usbhub
3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click Key.
4. Type HubG for the name of the new key, and then press ENTER. The key HubG may already exist in your registry. In such case, skip this step.
5. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD (32-bit) Value.
6. Type DisableOnSoftRemove for the name of the DWORD Value, and then press ENTER.
7. Right-click DisableOnSoftRemove, and then click Modify.
8. In the Value data box, type 1 , and then click OK.
9. Exit Registry Editor.

The full-text of the solution is available here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2401954

I had to restart the computer for the solution to take effect. Now if I eject a USB HDD, the HDD spins down and powers-off automatically. I am hoping that this behavior is true for USB Memory Sticks too.

Though I still need to turn-off the power to the adapter manually, I am not complaining. Gotta leave the power-switch option to humans.

SD Cards suitable for Windows ReadyBoost

• Kingston 8 GB Class 4: [amazonproduct=B00200K1SY]
• SanDisk 8GB SDHC Card Class 4: [amazonproduct=B004CZ0H1Q]
• AmazonBasics 8 GB Class 4: [amazonproduct=B004Q3R9B0]
• Transcend 8 GB Class 10: [amazonproduct=B003VNKNEG]
• PNY 8 GB Class 4: [amazonproduct=B000P5XLOW]
• Lexar Professional Series 8 GB 133x Class 6: [amazonproduct=B0013TVAB0]
• Fujifilm 4 GB Class 6: [amazonproduct=B001HL0G5K]
• Dane-Elec 8 GB Class 4: [amazonproduct=B000VLIYGA]
• Patriot LX Series 8 GB Class 10: [amazonproduct=B002TA7VO2]
• HP 16 GB Class 4: [amazonproduct=B001JEOQSI]

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