So according to this web page (How To Format an External Drive or Memory Card to Out of Box and OS Compatability), the My Passport Wireless Pro has the format of NTFS, but mine is exFAT.
The question is, should I format the drive as NTFS, or just leave it as exFAT?
If I format it, is there a specific WD’ software that I can use? Or I can simply use Windows Disk Management to do it?
Interesting.
I have two different My Passport drives. One, is the Passport Wireless SSD which is in a square case with an orange rubber cover. Format NTFS.
My other is the original MPW, the case is rectangular, Format exFAT. Just as your chart says.
The My Passport Wireless Pro is in a square case. It is possible you do not have a Pro based upon these descriptions. Check things out.
Hey Mike,
So I did check the shape actually, and it has a shape exactly like this: https://www.google.com/search?q=my+passport+wireless+pro&client=firefox-b-ab&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjz9ryvwJLgAhWMP3AKHbWNBVkQ_AUI6QEoAQ&biw=1599&bih=815
I had the original MPW (with so many problems, I sold it and bought another solution), and I agree with you about its shape. I never hands-on the MPW SSD, but the shape of my MPWP is as the same as the MPW SSD, except the orange rubber.
Other applications (on Android and Windows) and the box/closure itself claim that it is the Pro edition.
I did some research on other WD topics, and it shows that there are some people asking the same question. It seems that this difference might be due to the manufactured date? Like the newly manufactured ones have a different format?
As far as my knowledge can reach, exFAT has pretty much the same pros as NTFS. However, exFAT is known for its compatibility with Android and is used for external drive, and NTFS is known for internal drives especially for Windows OS.
So, the question is: does NTFS compatible with Android (presumably yes?)? And does exFAT has any pro over NTFS?
i’m pretty sure the major advantage is exFAT is compatible with Windows and Mac and any devices that don’t support NTFS (mostly Smart TV’s) edit: My PlayStation 4 only support FAT32 or exFAT as well.
I have a few Android devices (mostly 4K Media Player boxes) … all of which have no problems recognizing NTFS formatted hard drives (and exFAT formatted drives)
In short, if you want the MPW to be compatible with the most devices or PC’s … then leave it in exFAT format.
This sums up everything I need to know. Thanks, Joey
I agree 100% with, Joey, and agree that earlier versions of Pro were exFAT, and later versions are NTFS. Keep yours exFAT; if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.
So far it works fine, so presumably not broken (yet?) Thank you Joey and Mike for replying my topic.
I got another question. I have some external My Passport drives that always comes with encryption, using WD Security software. However, this software doesn’t work with MPWP (does WD have to choose a mouthful name like this…). When I opened WD Discovery, it recognized MPWP. In its “Apps” tab, there’s EncryptStick.
I wonder has anyone uses this feature? Besides, is there any other native security app for MPWP? I do have softwares for encryption, but native ones are always nicer at some point
I do not encrypt my MPWs or other drives. There is nothing other than media files on the MPWs and any sensitive files on other drives are in password protected files, so I cannot help with your questions.
Yeah it seems that WD doesn’t have a native encryption software for MPW series. The EncryptStick I mentioned belongs to another company. However, it’d be really nice if WD includes one
Think about one scenario: when I travel, sometimes I still need to work and have to store some less-secure files in MPWP. In this case, WD security software is better than summon a security beast with a stone club to guard files XD
Besides, even normal activities need a bit of secure these days. Nobody likes the idea that your GoPro footage that contains your kids’ clip leaks onto pedophile’ site
I think MPW series is a good one. But not great though. It needs a lot of upgrades, ranging from hardware to software. Especially the hardware, in my opinion.
There are some [chinese] enclosures that work like MPW series. They’re a bit bulkier but lots of them have an ethernet port. And even when connected directly to a PC via USB (I recall it was 2.0 port only, not 3.0), I could still connect to them wirelessly (which MPW series can’t do ). Some of them didn’t have a battery though, but as long as I plugged in a power bank, they all worked just fine (and drained out the power bank like a champ!). I’m not saying much about the wireless hubs, as they all don’t have a drive or can’t enclose a drive.
Now, I understand that MPW series is not a conditional NAS, but I think WD can make it close to one by tweaking some details. It’s “Pro” and expensive, make it worth, guys (where I live, MPWP is 2.5x more than the latest edition of 4 TB My Passport Ultra).
By the way, @mike27oct, I saw you wrote that you have a Sandisk wireless USB. Can you give a short comment on it? And I don’t think that it runs on battery?
Yes, I have two Sandisk Connect drives, a 64 GB and a 200 GB version. They all have internal batteries. I store only media files on them, meaning music and video files I can enjoy on my iPhone or iPad when I travel by plane or long bus rides to ball park. I just turn it on, keep it in a pant pocket and enjoy my media. Sandisk ie owned by WD,
I looked into them again recently and it appears they are being discontinued. Amazon doesn’t directly sell them anymore, although eBay has quite a few
They are pretty handy for what I want them for.