Windows 10: Can't get my laptop to see my western digital external backup.

I get an error message when I try to do this.

WD Backup and WD Smartware need access to COM+ Applications under component services.
When it is not possible to access the COM+ Applications, the WD Backup software or WD Smartware software will appear to be installed but will not be functional.

:)

 

recovery of Western Digital external drive

I think it's not backing up at all. Prior to the Recovery it was backing up to Western Digital Passport external drive. I have everything else restored, and the Passport drive shows it's functioning properly, but I can't see that there's a backup at all,
anywhere.

 

Western Digital USB Backup Drive and MS Auto Optimization

I have a Western Digital external USB drive that automatically backs up files.

After upgrading to Win 10 I was surprised to see that it was listed with C:, etc. and it appears to be there because Win 10 intends to analyze and optimize it. I don't think Win 10 should be messing with the files on the Western Digital drive because the
WD s/w will probably not be able to retrieve anything. Thanks.

Two questions:

- is Win 10 going to try and optimize the WD drive and files?

- if so, how do I remove it from the list?

 

set up Windows 10 backup to external Western Digital drive

I looked at all 3 recommended articles which completely miss the point of what is happening.

Basically, I am unable to select the Western Digital 2TB external drive to back up to (drive (F) even though I see it from File Explorer as a local disk. When I plug in my very old Western Digital 250GB drive, I am then able to select drive (G to back
up to it. I turned on File History to go to drive G when it was plugged in. However, this is an ancient very small drive and will not be adequate in size to backup my PC.

Edited post and title: just realized that both drives are Western Digital. Regardless, same problem as before:

Unable to choose newer, larger 2TB to back up to, only small 256GB very old drive.