If you’ve just bought a WD My Passport external hard drive and you’re running Windows 11, you might be wondering how to set it up and start using it. Don’t worry—it’s much simpler than you think. Whether you want to use it for file storage, automatic backups, or transferring large files, this guide will walk you through everything step by step.

Table of Contents

What Is WD My Passport?

WD My Passport is a portable external hard drive made by Western Digital. It’s small, easy to carry, and comes in different storage sizes (from 1TB to 5TB). It’s commonly used for:

Storing extra files (photos, videos, documents, etc.)
Backing up your computer automatically
Transferring large files between PCs
Keeping data safe with password protection and encryption

Does WD My Passport Work with Windows 11?

Yes! WD My Passport is fully compatible with Windows 11. In most cases, it’s plug-and-play, meaning you can just connect it via USB and start using it.

Step 1: Connect WD My Passport to Your PC

Take the USB cable included with your drive.
Plug one end into the WD My Passport.
Plug the other end into a USB port on your Windows 11 laptop or desktop.
Wait a few seconds—Windows will automatically recognize the device.

👉 If it’s your first time connecting, Windows might take a moment to install drivers.

Step 2: Open and Access WD My Passport

Press Win + E to open File Explorer.
On the left panel, under This PC, look for your WD My Passport drive (usually labeled as “My Passport”).
Double-click to open it.

Now you can drag and drop files into it, just like you would with a USB flash drive.

Step 3: Install WD Discovery Software (Optional but Recommended)

Western Digital provides a free tool called WD Discovery that gives you extra features.

Visit the WD Support website.
Download WD Discovery for Windows.
Install and open the software.

With WD Discovery, you can:

Enable automatic backups
Set up password protection & encryption
Manage your drive settings

Step 4: Set Up Automatic Backups

If you want your files backed up automatically:

Open WD Discovery.
Go to Backup.
Choose the folders you want to back up (Documents, Pictures, etc.).
Select WD My Passport as the backup destination.
Click Start Backup.

Now your important files will always be safe, even if your PC crashes.

Step 5: Enable Password Protection (Optional)

WD My Passport comes with built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption.

Open WD Discovery.
Select Security.
Set a password and enable password protection.

⚠️ Don’t forget your password—if you lose it, you can’t recover your data.

Step 6: Safely Eject the Drive

Before unplugging your drive, always eject it properly:

Click the arrow in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar.
Find the USB icon.
Click Eject My Passport.
Wait for the “Safe to Remove Hardware” message.

This prevents data corruption.

Troubleshooting: WD My Passport Not Showing Up?

If your WD My Passport doesn’t appear in Windows 11:

Check the USB port – try another port.
Update drivers – open Device Manager > Disk drives > Update driver.
Assign a drive letter – go to Disk Management, right-click the drive, and choose Change Drive Letter.
Format the drive (last resort, will erase all data).

Tips for Using WD My Passport on Windows 11

Always keep WD Discovery updated.
Use USB 3.0 ports for faster transfer speeds.
Regularly back up important files.
If sharing with Mac users, consider formatting as exFAT (works on both Windows & Mac).

Conclusion

Using a WD My Passport on Windows 11 is simple: just plug it in, transfer files, and (optionally) use WD Discovery for backups and security. It’s one of the easiest ways to expand storage, protect files, and carry data anywhere.

If you want extra peace of mind, set up automatic backups and password protection. That way, your files will always stay safe, no matter what happens to your computer.

FAQs

1. Do I need to install software to use WD My Passport on Windows 11?
No. It works as a plug-and-play drive, but WD Discovery unlocks backup and security features.

2. Can I use WD My Passport with both Mac and Windows?
Yes, but you’ll need to format it to exFAT for cross-compatibility.

3. Is WD My Passport good for gaming storage?
Yes, you can store game files, but SSDs are faster for gaming performance.

4. How do I know if my WD My Passport is USB 3.0?
Look at the connector—USB 3.0 ports usually have a blue insert.

5. Can I recover files if I delete them from WD My Passport?
Yes, using data recovery software, but recovery isn’t always guaranteed.

How to Use WD My Passport on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide