I agree. An option to completely remove the Smartware is needed. On my Macbook the Smartware volume kept reappearing, ejecting lasted only a few seconds. If I unplugged the Passport Esential after the icon reappeared I got the msg re. needing to eject first. I took the time to find and install the “hide” software, which worked as far as eliminating the folder on the desktop, but the files are still on the drive.
These files and the partitioning to support them may be the reason the Essential 500G will not boot the Macbook. My WD Elite, which does not have this software on the drive (after I repartitioned) boots fine thru the USB.
I was very disappointed to hear, after I spent much time with WD tech support, getting as far as Level II, that WD had not even tried using their external drives as a Mac boot device and that they were suprised to learn that I had succeeded in doing so with my Elite.
