AppAholic

Version Tested : 1.3
Compatibility : Win 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista

Description : A USB ejection tool which trumps the windows USB ejection by a billion miles. This version first  closes all open programs running from the USB, clears the cache, closes explorer windows and removes registry entries and recent document shortcut references. (video further down)

I use Portable Apps, that’s no secret, and I love them. Since my review of Portable Apps (which is a load of software which runs off your USB from a menu), there has been an update of the menu, which includes an eject function. This doesn’t work very well, as it only brings up the windows menu for ejecting USB’s, which, quite frankly, is useless, especially when you have multiple USB drives plugged in or external USB hard disks.

The windows USB eject function, is really really pointless and annoying! If you have anything left open, like invisible windows, or left over open files, then it will simply say, "eeerrrr, cannot do, but I won’t tell you why." Thanks Windows! If you eject your USB device often, you already know this, very well!

Eject USB, is a single exe (plus an ini settings file and the obligatory readme), which closes all open programs and other things, which allows the USB to be ejected safely. Just one click, and it does it all in one go! Even alerts you when you can eject the USB. Hurray! Finally a USB ejector that works the way it should. If Eject USB It can also take advantage of other useful tools, which I will discuss later.

Want to see this little app in action? watch it here!

Ill admit, it does lack a GUI right now, but the readme file does explain what the settings in the ini file do. If you want this bit of software, chances are you don’t mind editing a really simple ini file. It just works. I haven’t changed any of the settings, and I cant see that the majority of people would. In the video, we saw it use the windows dialog for ejecting USB devices, however it has its own in built one, which is auto enabled. You can disable it, and choose to use the windows one instead. This will of course still work completely automatically. I tested this on my computer with several different USB devices, and many many apps open. It worked like a charm. Even closed my portable apps menu for me.

I don’t think the settings are needed for the every day user, although if there is something specifically you wish not to happen or to happen, by all means, take a look at the readme. For example, you may wish to turn "NoGraceful" on, which will force programs to close which are running from the USB. You could turn on "NoExplorer" which would stop windows explorer dialogs from closing when the USB is ejected. There are a few others, so take a peek at the readme if your feeling adventurous!

If for some reason, Eject USB doesn’t full work, don’t fret. You may have a resilient file or something. There are a bunch of "external utilities" supported by Eject USB. One of these is unlocker, which I have seen before, while the rest, range from Microsoft freeware to foreign mini apps. Again, the readme is where you want to read for more information. It also provides the links and instructions if needed for each utility.

For those of you who are command line geeks, there are also some command line switches. One of they is something about "ignoring the presence of a hybrid batch file", so if that means something to you, chances are the others might too.

Conclusion : Something the portable app community has been crying out for for many years. Glad its been found, and works like a dream. Customisable, but only by using an ini file. No GUI other than tray icon while USB is being ejected. One app that will stay on my USB a very long time. A real keeper.

Website : www.pocketappreview.com
Download : Page - Direct
Size : 252 K