Advice RE: Connecting to Windows 7 machine

I have a WD My Book Essential that I have used very successfully connected to an XP machine.  I have a new machine that is Windows 7.  I want to connect the WD drive to it.  What softwared, if any do I need?  Will it work as Plug and Play?  Or, do I need to take precautions in connecting to use new software?  If so what?

If the drive came with Smartware and you used that you will need to install it to retrieve backups. Otherwise it should work like a plug and play device and simply install the needed drivers.

Joe