This makes sense in theory, unless it's like on Windows where the file/storage is accessed by some unknown, hidden process that you don't know anything about ex

This makes sense in theory, unless it's like on Windows where the file/storage is accessed by some unknown, hidden process that you don't know anything about except that it really likes to use this specific file, and you only have the choice between shutting down the computer to safely remove some thumb drive or to just pull it and hope for the best.