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WD 22TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, External HDD with Password Protection and Backup Software - WDBBGB0220HBK-NESN
Western Digital

Western Digital WD 22TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive (WDBBGB0220HBK-NESN)

Bottom line: The Western Digital WD 22TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive ($1059.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-07): 22TB in a single enclosure - fewer drives to manage for large media libraries; main trade-off: desktop-only form factor - needs an AC adapter, not bus-powered.

$1059.99

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Buy on Amazon — $1059.99 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 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 22TB in a single enclosure - fewer drives to manage for large media libraries
  • ✓ 256-bit AES hardware encryption, not software-only protection
  • ✓ SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps with USB 2.0 fallback for older systems
  • ✓ Bundled WD backup and device management software included

Cons

  • ✗ Desktop-only form factor - needs an AC adapter, not bus-powered
  • ✗ Mechanical 3.5-inch drive means slower access than SSD storage
  • ✗ USB 3.0 at 5 Gbps caps throughput below USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Thunderbolt
  • ✗ Usable capacity reads below 22TB since WD counts 1TB as one trillion bytes

Manufacturer description

The WD My Book 22TB desktop external hard drive gives you room to stop deciding what to delete. This is Western Digital's high-capacity desktop archive: 22TB of USB 3.0 storage in a vertical enclosure that sits on a desk rather than in a bag, with its own power adapter to drive the full-size 3.5-inch mechanism inside. Security is handled in hardware. The My Book includes 256-bit AES hardware encryption with password protection, so the drive locks at the device level instead of relying on a software wrapper you can bypass. Bundled WD software handles device management and scheduled backups…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Western Digital WD 22TB 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 does the 22TB My Book actually have?

WD defines 1TB as one trillion bytes, so the capacity your operating system reports will be lower than 22TB. Actual user capacity varies with the operating environment and formatting.

Does the WD My Book need its own power supply?

Yes. It is a desktop drive built around a full-size 3.5-inch mechanism, so it ships with an AC power adapter rather than drawing power from the USB port like a portable drive.

How is the password protection implemented?

The drive uses 256-bit AES hardware encryption paired with password protection, so the lock is enforced by the drive itself. Setup is handled through the included WD software.

Will this work with an older computer that only has USB 2.0?

Yes. The interface is SuperSpeed USB at 5 Gbps and is USB 2.0 compatible, though transfers over a USB 2.0 port run at that older port's speed.

What warranty does the WD My Book come with?

Warranty terms are not listed in this product's specifications. Check the current Amazon listing or Western Digital's support site for the coverage period that applies to your region.

Key Features

  • Massive capacity, up to 22TB capacity. (1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.)
  • 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 Speed125 MB/s to 625 MB/s
ConnectivityUSB
Model NumberWDBBGB0220HBK-NESN
Built-In MediaDevice management and backup software
Item Type NameExternal Hard Drive
Hard-Drive Size22 TB
Mfr Part NumberWDBBGB0220HBK-NESN
Number of Items1
Special FeatureHardware Encryption
Hardware PlatformMac w/ Reformat, PC
Installation TypeExternal Hard Drive
Compatible DevicesDesktop, Laptop, Mac, PC
Data Transfer Rate1 gigabits_per_second
Enclosure MaterialAluminum/Glass
Additional FeaturesHardware Encryption
Full listing titleWD 22TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, External HDD with Password Protection and Backup Software - WDBBGB0220HBK-NESN

Ready to buy?

WD 22TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, External HDD with Password Protection and Backup Software - WDBBGB0220HBK-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 — $1059.99

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-07. Price and availability subject to change.

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WD 22TB My Book Desktop External Hard Drive, USB 3.0, External HDD with Password Protection and Backup Software - WDBBGB0220HBK-NESN
$1059.99
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