"windows can't stop 'volume' because a program is still using it." error

Hello I have an ongoing issue and I am just fed up at this point. I'm using Windows 11, Acer Aspire 3 laptop. Anytime I try to eject an external HD over 500GB I get the "windows can't stop 'volume' because a program is still using it. Close any programs that might be using the device, and then try again later" error. I have tried closing all windows and apps, turning off the windows. exe task, and even swicthing the disk to "offline"... I still get the error. Any ideas what I can do, or where I can go to find an answer. Thanks!