WD drive unlock: Mac, software, not working, forgot password
If you currently find yourself locked out of your WD external hard drive with no means of recuperating your password, do not panic. There are some very simple solutions that you can implement to unlock your drive and reset your password. This tutorial will walk you through three different scenarios by which you can regain access to your external hard drive.
Please note that some of these solutions may lead to data loss — it is highly recommended that you back up your data before beginning.
Is there a software to unlock a WD Drive?
There are different software that you can use in order to unlock a WD Drive: WD Drive Utilities, WD Security, and WD SmartWare. You will find the download links according to your operating system below.
Where can you download a WD Drive unlock software?
If you are a Mac user, check the How do you unlock a WD drive on a Mac section to find download links for different software. If your computer runs under Windows, then check the How to unlock your WD drive without a password section below.
How do you unlock a WD drive on a Mac?
WD Drive Utilities:
One of the easiest ways to unlock a WD external hard drive is by using the WD Drive Utilities for Mac. The software is compatible with macOS 12 Monterey/macOS 11 Big Sur/macOS 10.15 Catalina/macOS 10.14 Mojave.
To use it, you will first have to close the current version of the WD Drive Utilities. Next, you can drag the WD Drive Security icon to the application folder.
WD Security:
You can also use WD Security for Mac. It is compatible with macOS 12 Monterey/macOS 11 Big Sur/macOS 10.15 Catalina/macOS 10.14 Mojave and it works the same way as WD Drive Utilities:
First, close the current version of the WD Drive Security. Next, drag WD Drive Security Icon to the application folder.
WD SmartWare:
WD SmartWare does not offer a direct download link for Mac users but you can find all software offered for Mac on their website under Software for Mac.
The software also supports My Cloud, WD Cloud, My Cloud Mirror Gen2, My Cloud Mirror, My Cloud PR2100, My Cloud PR4100, My Cloud EX2 Ultra, My Cloud EX2, My Cloud EX4, My Cloud EX2100, My Cloud EX4100, My Cloud DL2100, My Cloud DL4100, My Book, My Book for Mac, My Book Pro, My Book Duo, My Passport Ultra Metal, and My Passport Wireless.
N.B: If you are running WD SmartWare version 1.1.x or 1.2.x, you are required to set up and enable a new backup plan once the WD SmartWare 2.0 upgrade installation has been completed.
How to unlock your WD drive without a password?
Here's a quick rundown of the tools that you can use to use to unlock your WD external hard drive.
WD Security
Enter an incorrect password five times in a row. Upon the fifth failed attempt, you will be prompted to erase your drive. Agree to the terms, and then click Erase Drive.
You can then proceed with a password reset.
WD Security for Windows supports the following operating systems:
Windows Vista (32 & 64 bit) Windows 7 (32 & 64bit) Windows 8 (32 & 64bit) Windows 8.1 (32 & 64bit) Windows 10
WD Security is also available for Mac, and is compatible with:
Mac OS 10.15 Mac OS 10.14 Mac OS 10.13 Mac OS 10.12 Mac OS 10.11 Mac OS 10.10 Mac OS 10.9.X Mac OS 10.8.X (Mountain Lion)
In addition, the system supports My Book, My Book, My Book for Mac, My Book Duo, My Passport, My Passport Ultra (WD Backup), My Passport Ultra Metal, My Passport for Mac, My Passport for Mac, and My Passport Air.
WD SmartWare
WD SmartWare is another great tool for recuperating access to your hard drive. To use it, open WD SmartWare and go to Help > Manage & Customize. Next, click Erase the Drive? option found on the right panel. Here, you will find more information on how to erase the drive and unlock it.
WD SmartWare for Windows supports the following operating systems:
Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 10
WD Drive Utilities
Open WD Drive Utilities and click the Help button found in the bottom-left corner. Click Erasing the Drive for more information on how to proceed.
WD Drive Utilities for Windows supports:
Windows Vista (32 & 64 bit) Windows 7 (32 & 64bit) Windows 8 (32 & 64bit) Windows 10
How to fix a WD Drive unlocker that quits unexpectedly?
If you encounter difficulties while using WD Drive Utilities or WD Security and the software quits unexpectedly, we recommend the following:
- Uninstall and reinstall the software.
- Contact the Tech Support team.
How to fix WD Drive unlock issue with a CD?
If the CD option for WD SmartWare doesn't show, then we recommend trying the CD on another device and then removing the security from the drive. You will also need to install the SES driver.
How to fix a WD Drive unlock that's not working?
If you are using WD Drive Unlocker and it no longer works, we recommend trying one of the three software listed above: WD Drive Utilities, WD Security, or WD SmartWare.