With the 4TB My Book Desktop USB 3.0 External Hard Drive from WD it is easy to back up important files and create system backups using the included WD Backup software for Windows or Time Machine for Mac. In addition to simplifying the backup process for both Windows and Mac computers, this hard drive features 256-bit AES hardware encryption to ensure stored files remain secure. The My Book Desktop drive features a USB 3.0 port for fast data transfers and comes exFAT formatted for Windows and Mac, making it easy to get up and running in no time.
Note: Compatibility may vary depending on user’s hardware configuration and operating system. Reformatting is required for use with Apple Time Machine.
Brandyn Sanford (verified owner) –
Decent speed and large storage capacity make this drive a winner. I am using it to not only back up my entire system, but as an additional drive. I do wish that the unit had a light on it to let you know that it was active. The drive is very quiet. B and H service and prices are always great and I enjoy shopping there.
Albert Howell (verified owner) –
Huge Capacity for Archive or backup! wish it was 7200rpm.
Zack Ernser (verified owner) –
My Book desktop hard drive is outstanding. It gives me confidence that my day is safe.
Devyn Considine (verified owner) –
This is my first HD larger than 4TB, and all I can say after about two weeks of use is that this drive has not only met but also exceeded my high expectations. Transfering data from my dedicated drobo iTunes library took actually way less time than expected. This 8TB drive is now serving as my main iTunes drive, hosting more than 6TB of data already. It actually goes to sleep a bit quicker than I’m used to from most other WD and HGST drives I own. at least it feels that way. Recovering from sleep mode takes about ten seconds, that’s not something bothering me for that purpose. This drive needs to be large and reliable first and foremost. Time will tell if it will hold up as well as the many other WD and HGST drives I do own or have owned. This single drive of course uses much less energy than having a 4-bay drobo running my iTunes library. The drobo is now the big backup container for several drives in my household.
Jesse Gutkowski (verified owner) –
I am using this hard drive as storage only. The installations for MAC and Windows is faulty.
Godfrey Deckow (verified owner) –
I use several of the latest 12 TB WD Elements and WD 8 TB My Book. The 12 tb Element is great so far. The 8 tb my book constantly dismounts during idle or sleep sessions. On top of that it hums loudly. I own several pairs of each drive and the issues are consistent if you compare them.
Kamille Bode (verified owner) –
I purchased this drive to back up an extensive photographic library. It’s a solid drive for a very reasonable price. It is noisy, but the din serves as the only indication that the drive is operating properly (no indicator lights). Bottom line: a solid drive for a great price.
Vincenzo Blanda (verified owner) –
Great buy. Fast , efficient and well worth the money spent. Will buy again.
Stephon Wuckert (verified owner) –
This is the second one I have purchased. The first one (14TB), I returned promptly for it did not work right. This second one (16TB) is working fine, but it makes a loud thumping noise every so often that it breaks my heart when I hear it. I read that the thumping noise is normal (like really?), but I would rather not risk putting all of my data on one drive and have it fail in the future. If you know of a better drive than this, let me know. I have high hopes that the market will offer better than this soon.
Omer Hartmann (verified owner) –
Huge capacity and cheap!
Cathy Rogahn (verified owner) –
Needed something to hold all of my media so I wasn’t having a home full of small shuttle drives.
Malcolm Ziemann (verified owner) –
Works great and has tons of storage. I bought this to hold all my backups for Steam, GOG, Etc. If the world goes down the toilet I would at least like to be able to keep my sanity and be able to game 🙂 The hard drive is pretty fast, faster then I expected. I move big files normally 30GB-150GB or bigger files and it goes pretty quick 5-15mins depending on size. Can’t go wrong with this guy.
Vincent Muller (verified owner) –
I started to have a small problem with one of my older external hard drive, and realizing that several others of my external drives were approaching old age, I decided to stop by B&H to add a new disk to my array. I chose the 8TB My Book for the size, to be able to back up a Hatachi LifeStudio, two My Passport’s and a 2TB My Book for Mac. They are all on there now. I’m not sure if it is my older iMac trying to keep up with all the hardware, but the drive does seem to be a bit slow to register when waking in Finder, otherwise it runs well, like any WD. The only thing I wish it had is an LED operating light – I have it sitting on a very thin foam surface, and sometimes I can’t tell if it’s on, when its coming out of sleep. I’ve been extremely happy with WD drives, and this one meets my needs to make sure all my other drives are backed-up. It is a 5,400 drive, so it may take a bit longer to back up large folders, but name me an affordable external SSD with 8TB. And I do like the longer warranty and not having to go to an add-on service plan. Four stars just because of the lack of LED, even if I knew that going in, for 20 cents more, they could have added that to the package.
Flo Streich (verified owner) –
good item.
Johnson Wisozk (verified owner) –
Have had issues with this drive before but it’s the most reasonably priced drive for the size. So, guess I’m trying it again. Wish it felt sturdier but I imagine that would make it cost more.
Ramiro Douglas (verified owner) –
Works right out of the box. I connected it to a TABLO DVR with no difficulty, Records, plays, and/or delete TV recordings. It also runs surprisingly cool (as compared to my previous experience of comparable devises in years past.
Krista Homenick (verified owner) –
i use this to store movies.
Maymie Wiegand (verified owner) –
Most of my older WD external HDD makes some noise but this one is quiet. I wish I had purchased another.
Kristoffer Barrows (verified owner) –
Love Western Digital My Books and backup software; WD Smartware. I bought another 8 TB My Book for backup and wanted to take my old 8 TB My Book Duo offsite in case of a fire. Turns out the new 8 TB MY Book is not compatible with WD Smartware! And the new WD software that it is compatible with doesn’t do automatic backup every time you modify a file. I would not buy WD external drives again.
Merl Larkin (verified owner) –
I use this external drive to back-up my photos, and it works great!