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Western Digital 4TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, External HDD with Password Protection and Backup Software - WDBBGB0040HBK-NESN
Western Digital

Western Digital 4TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive (WDBBGB0040HBK-NESN)

Bottom line: The Western Digital 4TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive ($249.12 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): 4TB in one enclosure; My Book line scales to 22TB if you need more later; main trade-off: desktop form factor with a wall-power brick, not bus-powered or portable.

$249.12

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Buy on Amazon — $249.12 Compare to similar external storage

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For external drives and portable storage, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 4TB in one enclosure; My Book line scales to 22TB if you need more later
  • ✓ 256-bit AES encryption handled in hardware, not by host software
  • ✓ Password protection built in via the included WD utility
  • ✓ Works with Apple Time Machine as well as WD's own backup software

Cons

  • ✗ Desktop form factor with a wall-power brick, not bus-powered or portable
  • ✗ USB 3.0 at 5 Gbps caps transfers well below USB 3.2 Gen 2 drives
  • ✗ Backup software is a separate download and may require account registration
  • ✗ Mechanical HDD inside, so random-access speed trails any SSD

Manufacturer description

The My Book desktop drive from Western Digital gives you 4TB of room for the photo library, video projects, and document archives that no longer fit on your laptop. It connects over SuperSpeed USB 3.0 at 5 Gbps and stays backward compatible with USB 2.0, so an older tower or a current-gen machine both recognize it without extra drivers. Western Digital bundles software for device management and scheduled backup, and the drive pairs with Apple Time Machine if you would rather stay inside macOS. Privacy is handled in hardware: 256-bit AES encryption plus password protection means a stolen or…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Western Digital 4TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the external storage category. Western Digital's external storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for external storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much usable space do you actually get on the 4TB My Book?

Somewhat under 4TB. Western Digital rates capacity at 1TB = one trillion bytes, and it notes actual user capacity may be less depending on your operating environment, so your OS will report a lower figure.

Does it work with a Mac and Time Machine?

Yes. Western Digital lists My Book as pairing with Apple Time Machine, alongside its own WD Backup software. Reformatting for macOS may be needed depending on how the drive ships.

How is the password protection implemented?

Through 256-bit AES hardware encryption plus password protection managed by the included WD utility. That software is a download-and-install step and may require user account registration.

Will it connect to an older PC that only has USB 2.0?

Yes. The interface is SuperSpeed USB at 5 Gbps and is USB 2.0 compatible, though transfers will run at USB 2.0 speeds on the older port.

Is 4.4 out of 5 stars good for an external hard drive?

It is solid for the category. Buyer feedback comes from a large enough pool of owners that it reflects real-world reliability rather than a handful of early impressions.

Key Features

  • Massive capacity, up to 22TB capacity. (1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.).Specific uses: Personal
  • Includes software for device management and backup with password protection (Download and installation required. Terms and conditions apply. User account registration may be required.)
  • 256-bit AES hardware encryption
  • SuperSpeed USB (5 Gbps); USB 2.0 compatible
  • Trusted storage built with WD reliability

Full Specifications

BrandWestern Digital
ColorBlack
Model NameMy Book
Unit Count1 Count
Form Factor3.5-inch
Media Speed100-130 MB/s
ConnectivityUSB
Model NumberWDBBGB0040HBK-NESN
Built-In MediaDesktop hard drive^USB 3.0 cable^AC adapter^Quick Install Guide
Item Type NameWD My Book USB 3.0 desktop hard drive and auto backup software,4 TB (WDBBGB0040HBK-NESN)
Hard-Drive Size4000 GB
Mfr Part NumberWDBBGB0040HBK-NESN
Number of Items1
Special FeatureHardware Encryption
Hardware PlatformPC;Mac
Installation TypeExternal Hard Drive
Compatible DevicesLaptop, PC
Data Transfer Rate5000 megabits_per_second
Enclosure Materialplastic
Additional FeaturesHardware Encryption
Full listing titleWestern Digital 4TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, External HDD with Password Protection and Backup Software - WDBBGB0040HBK-NESN

Ready to buy?

Western Digital 4TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, External HDD with Password Protection and Backup Software - WDBBGB0040HBK-NESN is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Buy on Amazon — $249.12

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

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Western Digital 4TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, External HDD with Password Protection and Backup Software - WDBBGB0040HBK-NESN
$249.12
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