Home Forums Peripherals & Multimedia Peripherals removing external HD icon

OS 10.12.6. I back up quite often but every time I try to remove the icon, it says it can't remove it because other programs may be using it. This happens even after I restart twice when I know it is not being used. When I force quit, I get a warning about data being damaged or words to that effect. I use command E to eject. Is there another method of ejecting? Not a big problem but a little annoying. Any ideas?

jaybass