Icons

[ImLostAgain]

Not a problem at all (but I'm bored so thought I would ask) but sometimes when I go to remove something that is plugged into the laptop there is no icon for it in the hidden icons window.
For instance my wireless mouse usb never shows up, not that I would want to remove it anyway. Also my printer which only connects by cable. Other things such as a usb or an external drive etc, all show up.
Like I said, it's not a problem and I'm just wondering why some things and not others.

[Aquariel]

I would say that it's because USB drives or external HDs can become corrupted if you just pull the cable out while data is being written to them, so you get the icon in order to be able to disconnect them safely. Other devices, like a wireless mouse, can be unplugged at any time.

[barry1010]

Is your printer connected by usb?

[barry1010]

If you click the bluetooth icon, then 'show bluetooth devices' you will see your wireless mouse.

[Buenchico]

The only risk in unplugging a USB device without first 'ejecting' it is that data might be lost from memory if it was in the process of being transferred to or from the device at the time that it's unplugged. Since your mouse, printer, etc aren't 'memory' devices, there can be no risk to them.

Further, the default setting that Windows uses for USB pen drives is 'Quick removal', rather than 'Better performance'.
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/38a4535fec2fae823fa4af4788678a36-650-80.png.webp
With that setting enabled, you happily plug in and unplug USB pen drives all day long anyway, without ever needing to use the 'Eject' function, in perfect safety. (It might not be wise to the same with an external hard drive though, unless you've checked that 'Quick removal' is enabled for it).

[ImLostAgain]

Sorry for late reply.
Aquariel, I never disconnect without going through the 'safely remove hardware route'. If it's not there I wait until I shut down, but see * below.

barry1010, the printer connects by ethernet when I need it. By the way, it never 'beeps' when I connect it.
Laptop doesn't have bluetooth.

Buenchico, as above, I never just unplug. Quick removal seems a good way to go. I'll look into that. That said, why are there items I plug in that just don't show up in the hidden icons window. I don't mean the mouse etc. It's pretty random which one's don't show.
Oh and since I first posted this query there is a strange thing happening. I have a usb which lights up when it's plugged in and when I come to eject it (if it appears in the hidden icons window) there is no pop-up telling me it is safe to unplug it but the light on this usb goes out. Whether I the unplug it* or wait awhile to do so, it then beeps to show I have removed it. That can't be good!