Customer reviews from Western Digital
WD - My Passport Ultra 1TB External USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive - Silver
Average customer rating
2
(29 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 29 reviews
5 Stars
5
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
3
2 Stars
3
1 Star
18
14%of customers recommend this product.
(
1 out of
7)
Customer Reviews for WD - My Passport Ultra 1TB External USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drive - Silver
Customer Rating
1
Broken after 1 use, backup software is extra cost
on February 25, 2025
Posted by: Indy
I purchased 10 mths ago. I was disappointed when I plugged it in and found out the WD backup software
requires you to purchase a plan to use it with this drive. While the software is free when using it for my other older My Passport WD drives. So I manually just copied over the files. Once complete I properly ejected the disc and placed it in my safe. Pulled out to do an annual back up and the drive did not work. Just makes a clicking sound for 5 seconds and stops. My PC never recognizes the drive. I spent way to much money for this drive to not work. I do feel like this is all a scam for a product between the additional software costs and a drive that did not work. It annoying that I now need to go find another brand.
requires you to purchase a plan to use it with this drive. While the software is free when using it for my other older My Passport WD drives. So I manually just copied over the files. Once complete I properly ejected the disc and placed it in my safe. Pulled out to do an annual back up and the drive did not work. Just makes a clicking sound for 5 seconds and stops. My PC never recognizes the drive. I spent way to much money for this drive to not work. I do feel like this is all a scam for a product between the additional software costs and a drive that did not work. It annoying that I now need to go find another brand.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from Western DigitalBy SM OLS Team, August 19, 2025
Hi, We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to you. We recommend you to try different USB Port, cable and computer to isolate the issue. If the issue persists then please open a support ticket at https://support-en.wd.com/app/askweb to elaborate on the issue with possible error screenshots, our support team will get in touch with you at the earliest.
Written by a customer while visiting Western Digital
Customer Rating
1
Horrible Product. Please Don’t Buy.
on January 20, 2025
Posted by: dontbuypassport
I bought this thing 3 months ago and crashed on me last week. Had a few gigs of storage on it. Don’t trust this product.
Response from Western DigitalBy SM OLS, March 3, 2025
Hi, We are sorry for the inconvenience and delayed response. We recommend that you try connecting the drive to another computer using another cable and USB port. If the drive produces the same problem with another computer, please open a ticket with detailed information and possible error screenshots at https://support-en.wd.com/app/askweb, our technical team will contact you as soon as possible.
Written by a customer while visiting Western Digital
Customer Rating
1
DO NOT BUY
on November 14, 2024
Posted by: goody2shoes12247
hate WD'S products..i'll never buy from them again.. had drive less for two months and already acting janky!!! cheap crap
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from Western DigitalBy SM OLS, November 14, 2024
Hi, We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to you. We recommend that you try connecting the drive to another computer using a different cable. If the drive creates same issue with another computer then open a ticket with the error screenshots if any at https://support-en.wd.com/app/askweb our technical team will get in touch with you at the earliest.
Written by a customer while visiting Western Digital
Customer Rating
2
Passports just not cutting it without WD back-up s
on September 23, 2024
Posted by: NJTeddy
I always counted on WD passport drives. One of the main reasons was the ease and simplicity if their backup software. I discovered this after purchasing several new passports. I work with a lot of seniors that are not computer savvy. So maybe they are only saving a billion pictures of their pets or the grandkids, it was simple and should someone become confused I could always walk them through whatever fix was necessary. The list of backup software WD provides just doesn’t provide the simplicity needed for the non-technical individual . There really isn’t a reason to recommend passports any longer.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from Western DigitalBy SM OLS, September 24, 2024
Hello,
We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to you. Please be informed that WD My Passport Ultra External Portable drive is a plug 'n' play device . You could copy and paste the data to the device.
You could use File History or Acronis on windows. You could refer to the link mentioned below: Windows 10 and 11 File History Backup and Restore to a WD DAS- https://support-en.wd.com/app/answers/detailweb/a_id/25298/ and for using Acronis you could refer to the link mentioned below: https://support-en.wd.com/app/answers/detailweb/a_id/30022/kw/acronis
Also, Please be informed that for backup on Mac you could use macOS Time Machine Backup and Restore to a WD DAS- https://support-en.wd.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/18952/kw/time%20machine
If you need any technical support or specific question, please feel free to contact : https://www.westerndigital.com/company/contact-us
We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to you. Please be informed that WD My Passport Ultra External Portable drive is a plug 'n' play device . You could copy and paste the data to the device.
You could use File History or Acronis on windows. You could refer to the link mentioned below: Windows 10 and 11 File History Backup and Restore to a WD DAS- https://support-en.wd.com/app/answers/detailweb/a_id/25298/ and for using Acronis you could refer to the link mentioned below: https://support-en.wd.com/app/answers/detailweb/a_id/30022/kw/acronis
Also, Please be informed that for backup on Mac you could use macOS Time Machine Backup and Restore to a WD DAS- https://support-en.wd.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/18952/kw/time%20machine
If you need any technical support or specific question, please feel free to contact : https://www.westerndigital.com/company/contact-us
Written by a customer while visiting Western Digital
Posted by: RDBeyer
Verified Purchase:Yes
Great sales and after sales support - availability - it’s too early to report on the device as I just got it - so far so good. I don’t like the format of this review- -too fussy with.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Western Digital
Customer Rating
1
A WASTE OF MY HARD_EARNED MONEY!!!
on February 22, 2024
Posted by: Masadaman77
This piece of CRAP never performed for me!! The "SUPPORT" system was a hilarious joke. I never was able to reach anyone who could help. Any one who purchases backup equipment / accessories from Western Digital is a FOOL!!
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from Western DigitalBy SM OLS, February 23, 2024
Hello Masadaman77,
We are sorry to hear about your user experience with WD My Passport Ultra Portable Hard Drive and appreciate your time providing this review and bringing this matter to our attention.
We do apologize if you are having any issues with your drive. We would recommend reaching out to our Technical Support team, as we would be glad to assist you with any troubleshooting options that the drive may have.
We would request you to open a support ticket with brief query and possible errors screenshots. Please refer to the link mentioned:https://support-en.wd.com/app/ask/session/
All our products must pass our stringent quality standards before leaving our factory to be free from defects in materials and craftsmanship. We stand behind our products throughout the device's factory warranty period. You can contact us directly via phone to address any questions or concerns to ensure good overall user experience.
Need Help? Please see our "'Contact Us" page for information.
We are sorry to hear about your user experience with WD My Passport Ultra Portable Hard Drive and appreciate your time providing this review and bringing this matter to our attention.
We do apologize if you are having any issues with your drive. We would recommend reaching out to our Technical Support team, as we would be glad to assist you with any troubleshooting options that the drive may have.
We would request you to open a support ticket with brief query and possible errors screenshots. Please refer to the link mentioned:https://support-en.wd.com/app/ask/session/
All our products must pass our stringent quality standards before leaving our factory to be free from defects in materials and craftsmanship. We stand behind our products throughout the device's factory warranty period. You can contact us directly via phone to address any questions or concerns to ensure good overall user experience.
Need Help? Please see our "'Contact Us" page for information.
Written by a customer while visiting Western Digital
Customer Rating
1
Slowest HDD I have ever owned.
on October 9, 2023
Posted by: WDhater
Absolute trash. Transfer speeds are nowhere near as advertised no matter what connection I make. Recently speeds have dropped to 40 MB/s and I bought a proper SSD. It will take 4 days to transfer all my old files off this 4TB paperweight.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from Western DigitalBy SM OLS, October 12, 2023
Hello,
We're sorry to hear about your user experience with the WD My Passport Ultra Hard drive and appreciate your time for providing this review.
Slow performance can be caused due to several factors like computer configuration, multiple applications running on the computer while trying to access or backup the data, fragmented disk which may also result in slow computer disk read capability, the total amount of data on a disk and the relative size of each file, encrypted backup or scanning of each file by anti-virus installed in the computer or USB port of the computer with which the drive is connected etc.
Stopping applications and software that use CPU and memory, keeping all the files in a single directory instead spreading them in multiple directories, connecting the drive directly to the USB 3.0 port of the computer and avoiding the USB hub while using the drive, etc. are the recommended steps to enhance the performance of the drive.
As a troubleshooting step, please ensure that the Hard Drive is connected directly on the USB 3.0 port of the computer and the files which you are attempting to copy are not in use by any other program of the computer.
Furthermore, you can also refer to the link suggested below and check for the Theoretical USB Interface Speeds to find out the theoretical speed given by different USB port types.
"Theoretical USB Interface Speeds":
https://support-en.wd.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5043
All our products must pass our stringent quality standards before leaving our factory to be free from defects in materials and craftsmanship. We stand behind our products throughout the device's factory warranty period. Please contact us via the phone to ensure an overall good experience with Western Digital. We'd be happy to help.
Need Help? Please see our "'Contact Us" page for information.
We're sorry to hear about your user experience with the WD My Passport Ultra Hard drive and appreciate your time for providing this review.
Slow performance can be caused due to several factors like computer configuration, multiple applications running on the computer while trying to access or backup the data, fragmented disk which may also result in slow computer disk read capability, the total amount of data on a disk and the relative size of each file, encrypted backup or scanning of each file by anti-virus installed in the computer or USB port of the computer with which the drive is connected etc.
Stopping applications and software that use CPU and memory, keeping all the files in a single directory instead spreading them in multiple directories, connecting the drive directly to the USB 3.0 port of the computer and avoiding the USB hub while using the drive, etc. are the recommended steps to enhance the performance of the drive.
As a troubleshooting step, please ensure that the Hard Drive is connected directly on the USB 3.0 port of the computer and the files which you are attempting to copy are not in use by any other program of the computer.
Furthermore, you can also refer to the link suggested below and check for the Theoretical USB Interface Speeds to find out the theoretical speed given by different USB port types.
"Theoretical USB Interface Speeds":
https://support-en.wd.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5043
All our products must pass our stringent quality standards before leaving our factory to be free from defects in materials and craftsmanship. We stand behind our products throughout the device's factory warranty period. Please contact us via the phone to ensure an overall good experience with Western Digital. We'd be happy to help.
Need Help? Please see our "'Contact Us" page for information.
Written by a customer while visiting Western Digital
Customer Rating
1
Unreliable, poor MTBF, slooooow!
on September 10, 2023
Posted by: SailRN
Started building systems in the mid 1980s, using CP/M. Then IBM OEM partner, and so on. Ever since WD started manufacturing HDD they were my HDD of choice with better reliability. Regretfully I can no longer recommend WD as the product quality is diminished, and they certainly aren't reliable. I own a number of these My Passport Ultra portable drives, from 1 TB to 5 TB, and I've experienced ~ 30% early failure rates in these. Product quality dropped when the drive specifications changed from 3600 RPM and 2 ms track-to-track latency to pretty blue anodized aluminum case, innovative style. Up to 5 Gb/s? Never seen it happen, on my USB 3.2 I've never seen it get above ~ 180 Mb/s. I think the platter must be a stone disc with a miniature chisel writing the information. And yes, the Acronis software is the pits.
I'm sorry that I can no longer recommend WD, it had a superb product for many years, but no longer.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Response from Western DigitalBy SM OLS, September 13, 2023
Hello,
We're sorry to hear about your user experience with My Passport Ultra and appreciate your time for providing the review.
We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience .This is not the service we ever want for our customers, this usually never happens. Please allow us to make it correct for you. If you need any assistance then, You could raise a concern ticket on the given link, the customer support team get back to you in a earliest possible time . Please refer to the link mentioned: https://support-en.wd.com/app/ask/session/
All our products must pass our stringent quality standards before leaving our factory to be free from defects in materials and craftsmanship. We stand behind our products throughout the device's factory warranty period. We would appreciate the opportunity to assist you further. You can contact us by phone below and provide your details.
Need Help? Please see our "'Contact Us" page for information.
We're sorry to hear about your user experience with My Passport Ultra and appreciate your time for providing the review.
We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience .This is not the service we ever want for our customers, this usually never happens. Please allow us to make it correct for you. If you need any assistance then, You could raise a concern ticket on the given link, the customer support team get back to you in a earliest possible time . Please refer to the link mentioned: https://support-en.wd.com/app/ask/session/
All our products must pass our stringent quality standards before leaving our factory to be free from defects in materials and craftsmanship. We stand behind our products throughout the device's factory warranty period. We would appreciate the opportunity to assist you further. You can contact us by phone below and provide your details.
Need Help? Please see our "'Contact Us" page for information.
Written by a customer while visiting Western Digital