Windows 10: Recommendations On: PORTABLE EXTERNAL HARD DRIVES

Ello Folks!
Looking to get the Portable Hard-drive thats right for me.
I want to mainly keep documents on this and some other stuff.
Like pictures but not a ton. Mainly documents in PDF format.
I want this mainly to keep all my licensing and regulatory stuff all in one area.
Trust me... the Coast Guard has enough PDF's to bury you in!

I'm not picky; but a few musts!

• At least 1TB or more.
• Slim/compact able to take safety on the go.
• Security of some kind to prevent on authorized access.
• Something that will last a long time.

Let the recommendations begin!

--------------------------------------------------------
TO: admin:
If this should be; in another spot, let me know.

:)

 

Do I have BitLocker on Windows 10

I'm running Windows 10 and have a new portable external hard drive.

How can I password-protect this drive? Does Windows 10 come with the capability to lock an external drive?

(I have an older external drive that has built-in security and I am surprised that this is not a standard feature with external drives, especially portable ones, where they contain an image of a password-protected internal hard drive).

Moved from: Windows / Windows 10 / Devices & drivers

 

All Portable 2.5 External USB hard drives Suddenly stopped working in Win 10 over a year after the upgrade

Hi,


Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.


1. What is the make and model of your computer ?

2. Did you perform any major changes to your computer prior to the issue ?
3. Does the pc recognizes the USB device, if it is plugged in directly?

The issue might be due to the corrupted / incompatible driver.

Please follow these methods, mentioned below, to resolve the issue:

Method 1:


You may also update the Universal Serial Bus controllers driver from Device Manager manually and check, if this helps.

•Press (Windows key + X) and click on “Device Manager”.

•Expand “Universal Serial Bus controllers ”.

•Right click on the Universal Serial Bus controllers drivers and select “Update Driver Software”. Once this is done, restart the computer and check, if it works.

If the issue still persists, follow the Method 2.

Method 2:


Uninstall and reinstall the Universal Serial Bus controllers driver and check, if it works. Refer to the following steps to uninstall the Universal Serial Bus controllers driver from the Device Manager.

a. Click on Windows key + X key and then, select Device Manager.

b. Locate and expand “Universal Serial Bus controllers” in the Device Manager Window.

c. Right-click on the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” and click on “uninstall".

d. Restart the computer and check, if it works.

If the issue still persists, follow the Method 3.

Method 3:

Install the latest Universal Serial Bus controllers driver in Compatibility mode:

I suggest you to download the latest Universal Serial Bus controllers driver from manufacture's website and install it in compatibility mode.

1. Right click on the setup file of the driver and select
Properties.

2. Select Compatibility Tab.

3. Place a check mark next to Run this program in
Compatibility Mode and select the operating system accordingly from the drop down list.

4. Let the driver to install and then, check the functionality.

Also, suggest you to refer the below suggestion by Antony Jose replied on October 20, 2015 and see if the issue persist.

Error code 43 Universal Serial Bus port issue Windows 10.


Let us know if this helps.

Keep us posted for further assistance, we are here to assist you

 

I've not had problems with my WDC [Western Digital] 750GB and 1TB HDDs that can be put in one's pocket. Nice part of them is they run from a single USB port for both data and power, the smaller is USB 2.0 and the larger is USB 3.0 but is backward to most USB 2.0 ports. I believe I saw WDC has a 2TB model.

Their My Book drives are portable with have larger capacities but are bigger and heavier with their own power supply, use the 3.5" desktop-type HDDs in them. The Passport uses the 2.5" drive like used in most Notebooks/Laptops. There are other brands available. My next purchase probably will be a 1TB Toshiba Canvio that includes software to read/write to the Windows NTFS formatting from my MacBook Pro running macOS Sierra.

 

I like my WD (Western Digital) Elements, 2 TB. I don't use all the software features available from WD for it, but it WORKS. Just like it came out of the box.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

I've purchased numerous WD Passport Ultra's, never had an problems.

 

Berton,

Thanks for the recommendations.
I have been looking at "My Passport Drives" in the past.
I've only recently per, your post; been looking into the Western Digital(WD) products.
I trust at least one is, nice with Windows Ten, some passport drives have had failures
to work correctly or even connect with a WIN10 PC, from what I've read
on verified product testers/reviewers.


CWgilley,

Thanks for the recommendation.
Yeah, I'll keep the software for the External Drive; just in case.*sarc
I removed some software on those little flash drives back, when *Cruzer Duo* was the thing.
I wish, I would have kept the software as the security for the files was; in that. *Banghead
So I'm leaving any software, it in for that matter; untouched.

Edwin,

Thanks for the recommendation.
Yeah, it's good to know these things. I mean I can't afford for me to loose these files;
so I'm glad your noting there has not been any problems with that specific product & model.

 

I've carried a 400GB WD Passport for years without any trouble.
For past year or so, I've carried a 4TB Seagate Backup Plus.

I just picked up a 2TB seagate expansion portable drive for my Xbox One.

 

I have two basic Seagate Expansion drives and I've never had any problems.

 

Never heard of that brand before, I'll be checking it out soon.
Going to look at the selection of some stores ,in my area once; I'm back in town.
Thanks again for everyones input
I'll mark as *Solved* tonight sometime around 12am ET.
So if anyone else has anymore recommendations please post em in here.
L

 

I purchased a WD 2TB My Passport and I really like this drive. Small and light weight and reasonablely priced. It includes a security app, however I have never used it. The only recommendation I would make is get a USB 3.0 model. Even you don't have USB 3.0 now you may in the future and you will be ready.

 

Yeah I'll note that; I have already had the disappointment when my 2.0 lil flash drive was found not compatible with most windows 10's. I may want to get one with ports for both 2.0 & 3.0, That's possible; if I act fast well some might still be on the shelves. Or better yet just purchase one of those 2.0 to 3.0 convert things and be good to go.

 

I use WD My Passport on both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 with same connector. Nothing else to buy. Regardless of which drive you decide on get the model number and go to nextag.com and check for lowest price.

 

The problem with such a converter in USB 2.0 ports is you'll never get USB 3.0 speeds. I needed more USB 3.0 ports on a computer so bought a USB 3.0 card for a PCIe X1 slot on the motherboard, got 4 more ports on the back of the computer. Mine was branded Anker. Such a card is not a choice for a Notebook/Laptop/Tablet, no place to put it.

I have only 4 older Thumb drives, less than 8GB, that won't work on USB 3.0 ports, keep them for when working on older computers.