How to Dismount a TrueCrypt Volume
You must properly dismount a TrueCrypt volume in order to avoid corrupting it. If your TrueCrypt volume is stored on a USB drive then you must also properly dismount the USB drive before physically unplugging it from your computer.
Dismount the TrueCrypt Volume
Launch the TrueCrypt program either from the Start menu or by double-clicking the TrueCrypt icon in the system tray in the lower right hand corner of the Windows desktop. The TrueCrypt system tray icon is pointed out in the picture below.
Next, select the TrueCrypt volume that you want to dismount from the list of mounted TrueCrypt volumes in the top pane and then press the "Dismount" button. If you want to dismount all of the TrueCrypt volumes which are currently mounted, click the "Dismount All" button.
If get the warning message pictured below, press the "No" button. You should try to avoid "forcing" a dismount of a TrueCrypt volume if you currently have files open on it. Doing so could corrupt the open files. Exit and quit all the programs that you have open and then try dismounting the TrueCrypt volume again. If you still get the warning message then restart the computer. Restarting the computer will close all programs and files which may be open. Restarting the computer will also dismount the TrueCrypt volume for you.
- Note: You may choose the "Force Dismount" option to quickly dismount the TrueCrypt volume, but in doing so you are risking corruption of any files and folders which are currently in use.
After you have dismounted all of your TrueCrypt volumes, you can exit the TrueCrypt program by clicking on the "Exit" button in the lower right hand corner of the TrueCrypt program.
Properly Disconnect Your USB Drive
If you are using a USB drive with Windows, it is important to always properly dismount the drive before physically unplugging it from the computer. Not doing so could result in corruption of the data you have stored on the drive.
Locate the "Removable Drive" icon in the Windows system tray which is located in the lower right hand corner of the Windows desktop. The "Removeable Drive" icon will look like a little card with a green arrow over it. Once you find the icon, click on it one time in order to display a list of all currently mounted removeable drives.
From the list of currently mounted removable drives, click the list item which cooresponds to the USB drive that you want to unplug from the computer.
When you see the message pictured below, you can then physically unplug the USB drive from your computer.
