Portable Hard Drives
WD Elements

Maximum transfer rates

USB 3.0 connectivity delivers maximum performance for transferring files to and from this drive.

High-capacity in a sleek design

With up to 2 TB capacity in a lightweight design, this drive is the ideal companion for users on the go.

Free backup software trial

WD Elements portable storage comes with a trial version of WD SmartWare Pro backup software, which allows you to back up your files to your WD Elements drive or to the cloud using your DropBox™ account.

Learn more

USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility

With this single drive you get compatibility with the latest USB 3.0 devices and backward compatibility with USB 2.0 devices as well.

Improve PC performance

When your internal hard drive is almost full your PC slows down. Don't delete files. Free up space on your internal hard drive by transferring files to your WD Elements portable storage and get your laptop moving again.

WD quality inside and out

We know your data is important to you. So we build the drive inside to our demanding requirements for durability, shock tolerance, and long-term reliability. Then we protect the drive with a durable enclosure designed for style and protection.

Formatted for Windows®

Formatted NTFS and compatible with Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista® or Windows XP. Can be reformatted for Mac®.


Your computer is full of your precious memories, favorite music, video downloads and important personal files. You're just one system crash or computer virus away from losing it all. Help protect all these irreplaceable files by backing them up regularly.

WD SmartWare automatic backup software offers an easy way to back up and protect your important files. With a variety of backup options, WD SmartWare fits into anyone's busy life.

This versatile, flexible software comes pre-loaded on select WD drives. Users can upgrade to WD SmartWare Pro to take advantage of the cloud backup feature or to install on a WD drive without WD SmartWare or a non-WD drive.

Click here for a free trial version of WD SmartWare Pro

Click here to purchase a full version of WD SmartWare Pro

WD SmartWare Pro is not available in all countries.

Back up your way

With WD SmartWare, you're in control of your backup plan. Use the easy setup interface to easily pick how, when and where you backup your files.

How do you want to back up?

Everyone likes to organize their files a little differently and with WD SmartWare you can pick the backup method that works for you. File and Folder backup lets you choose just the files and folders that you want to protect or you can backup your files based on category like photos, music and videos.

When do you want to back up?

Some people want their files instantly backed up while others prefer to only have backup running when they are not using the computer. With WD SmartWare, you can pick between automatic, continuous backup or schedule the day, time and frequency of your backup.

Where do you want to back up?

When you upgrade to WD SmartWare Pro, you can back up to your local external hard drive or to the cloud using your Dropbox* account. For double-safe protection, you can also back up the files in your Dropbox account to your local external hard drive.

Back up to any external USB drive

When you upgrade to WD SmartWare Pro, you can back up your computer to any external hard drive whether that drive is from WD or from a third party.

* Dropbox account required for cloud backup. Cloud services may be changed, terminated or interrupted at any time and may vary by country.

It's easy to bring back lost files.

If you ever accidentally delete an important file or need to get an earlier version of a file, WD SmartWare helps you retrieve the file in seconds with the easy-to-use retrieve interface. WD SmartWare maintains the file structure that you have set up on your computer so it's easy to locate the file once you have retrieved it.

Visual interface shows backup progress

WD SmartWare features a visual interface with gauges that display how much data you have to be backed up in each category. And as your backup progresses the gauges change color, showing you the backup as it happens.



You've taken the time to create it or capture it – everything that matters to you, from financial to sentimental. But you're just one system error, one spilled latte, one stolen backpack away from losing it all.

If it matters to you, make a second copy!

Like a jet plane with more than one engine you need a backup. If your files are backed up and an important file is lost, you can relax because you have a copy.

Make it automatic. Set it and forget it.

You don't have to think about backup everyday if you use automatic backup software that does the work for you.

WD offers WD SmartWare Pro automatic backup software that makes it easy to back up your important files on your schedule. With WD SmartWare Pro you can select one or both of the following two options:
  • Automatic, continuous backup to instantly back up files as soon as they are added or changed and saved
  • Scheduled backup that allows you to pick the time, day and frequency that you back up your files.

Be selective

Protect the files you create yourself whether they are text documents, e-mail messages, pictures, music, videos or game saves. If you made them, you want to save them and keep them nearby.

You don't have to back up your entire system – a time consuming task that duplicates the issues you've built up over time on your hard drive. If your system fails, use the original copies of your software programs and reinstall your operating system to get a fresh start.

Upgrade to WD SmartWare Pro!

Upgrade to WD SmartWare Pro for even more backup options. WD SmartWare Pro allows uses to back up files to their Dropbox account or even to a non-WD external hard drive.

Back up to an external drive.

You can back up to CDs or DVDs, but this is a slow, manual process. And contrary to popular belief, most CDs and DVDs are not permanent. Low-priced CDRs may not be readable in as few as two years and thumb drives are small, lower capacities, and easy to lose.

The best backup medium is an external hard drive. It takes stacks of CDs or DVDs and handfuls of thumb drives to back up all the data that could be stored on a single external hard drive. WD SmartWare Pro makes it easy to back up to an external hard drive. High-capacity external drives are fast and allow you to keep all your backed up data in one place. For extra safety, get a two-drive external storage system and dedicate half the capacity for mirroring to automatically and instantaneously back up your backup every time. WD's external hard drives are sleek, stylish, made for your grab-and-go lifestyle and most come with our easy-to-use backup software... so let WD be your backup plan!

* Dropbox account required for cloud backup. Cloud services may be changed, terminated or interrupted at any time and may vary by country.


Upgrading your system could be risky, so make sure you have an extra copy of your photos, videos, music and files in case you hit a snag. With high-capacity storage from WD, you've got a great backup plan.

Back up the easy way with WD Smartware. Your data is not just data; it's your family photos, your financial documents, your music - your life. Make sure you protect your memories before your upgrade to Windows 8. WD makes it easy to back up with WD Smartware.

Here's how:
First, install the WD Smartware backup software included on most WD desktop and portable hard drives for your PC. You'll be up and running in minutes.
Next, select the files and folders you want backed up or back up your files by category. It's up to you. The backup gauges show how much information you have to be backed up in each category. You can even mouse over a category to see a file count.
Simply click "Start Backup" and WD SmartWare will automatically start backing up your files. As your backup is running, the category gauges will change color showing you the backup as it happens. When finished, you'll see a status screen and information about your backup. It's that easy!


Click here to find out more about WD SmartWare.

 


Backing up with a WD hard drive is easier than ever. With the File History feature in Windows 8, you can automatically save an extra copy of your photos, files, favorites and contacts folders to the drive of your choice. Choose WD and get effortless backup from the brand you trust.

Here's how:
From the Control Panel, select File History. Or you can search on "backup" in Settings from the Charms Bar in the Metro UI and select Save backup copies of your files with File History.
Connect your WD drive into the USB port and Windows 8 will detect the connection, then simply click "Turn on". If you have a My Book Live or My Net N900 Central, select "Add network location" and select your network drive from the list.
Now you're all set up to save files to your drive. File History automatically saves a copy of every file in your libraries, contacts, favorites and desktop. If there are folders not included by default that you also want to save using File History, you can create a new library or add a folder to an existing library.
If you ever want to access old versions of files or files that you've save previously, click on "Restore personal files". Then select the folders you want to restore (or you can choose to select all folder) and click "Restore". You can also save to a new location by right-clicking on your selected folders and choosing "Restore to" and select a new location for your files.

Need the perfect products for your backup plan? Here are three great products we highly recommend:


The WD app makes it easy to discover the digital media stored on your WD external hard drive with your Windows 8 computer or tablet. Your content is automatically displayed and organized so you can easily view your photos, enjoy slideshows, watch your videos, play your music and share it all with this easy-to-use app.

Get the app.

Windows 8 automatically installs the WD app for certified WD products or it can be downloaded from the Windows Store. The app automatically finds your digital content from a WD network drive or connected WD direct attached drive.

Get organized.

Once inside the app, your media is organized by photos, videos and music on rotating tiles.

Start playing.

Click to play your music, watch your videos and create a slideshow with your stored photos.

Start sharing.

Have something to share? Select your files and use the Share charm to send them via e-mail and social media apps.




Click Model # for Full Specs.
 Model #InterfaceCapacityOperating System 
WDBU6Y0020BBKUSB 3.0 and USB 2.02 TBWindows/Mac
WDBU6Y0015BBKUSB 3.0 and USB 2.01.5 TBWindows/Mac
WDBUZG0010BBKUSB 3.0 and USB 2.01 TBWindows/Mac
WDBUZG5000ABKUSB 3.0 and USB 2.0500 GBWindows/Mac

 

Compatibility

  • Formatted NTFS for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Window 8
  • Mac OS X 10.6.5 + (requires reformatting)

Package Contents

  • USB 3.0 portable hard drive
  • USB cable
  • Quick Install Guide

Mouse over each icon to see how it was calculated.

Examples of the number of photos, songs, videos and any other files that can be stored on a hard drive are provided for illustrative purposes only. Your results will vary based on file size and format, settings, features, software and other factors.

As used for storage capacity, one megabyte (MB) = one million bytes, one gigabyte (GB) = one billion bytes, and one terabyte (TB) = one trillion bytes. Total accessible capacity varies depending on operating environment. As used for buffer or cache, one megabyte (MB) = 1,048,576 bytes. As used for transfer rate or interface, megabyte per second (MB/s) = one million bytes per second, megabit per second (Mb/s) = one million bits per second, and gigabit per second (Gb/s) = one billion bits per second.