I have 2 external USB hard drives which are always connected to my laptop. The reasons are mixed; I need them so often and I'm too lazy to plug/unplug them again and again.
However I'm concerned about the laptop power they consume when I'm not using them so I was wondering if I could add a physical on/off switch to the USB cables that connect them.
So would it be harmful to the laptop/Hard drive if I were to install a physical on/off switch on the red cable of USB connector and I turn it off? I would do this after clicking Safely remove the Device
from Windows.
I believe this would cut the power of the USB device connected. I just need to be sure of the risks as the remaining 3 cables would still remain connected.
On the other hand, if you think this is completely inadvisable idea you can suggest another approach to achieving the same goal?