Windows – USB stick “lights” under Windows 7

usbwindows 7windows xp

Many USB sticks (thumb drives) have little lights that indicate they are active (for example many SanDisk thumb drives).

Under Windows XP, when you "Safely Remove USB Mass Storage Device" XP conveniently switches the lights off.

Under Windows 7, the lights stay on. I realize this is a "mere bagatelle" (but I DO find it surprisingly useful), but is it possible to restore that functionality? Registry? Whatever?

Best Answer

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\usbhub\HubG via regedit, Set DisableOnSoftRemove (DWORD) to 1.

The Microsoft Support KB 2401954 explains the behavior: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2401954

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