# Cannot Get WD Backup Software to recognize WD Elelment External Drive on Windows PC

**URL:** <https://community.wd.com/t/cannot-get-wd-backup-software-to-recognize-wd-elelment-external-drive-on-windows-pc/230129>\
**Category:** WD Backup\
**Created:** [October 31, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.wd.com/t/cannot-get-wd-backup-software-to-recognize-wd-elelment-external-drive-on-windows-pc/230129 "2018-10-31T16:11:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![donlog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e0b2c6/32.png) [@donlog](https://community.wd.com/u/donlog)\
**Post date:** [October 31, 2018, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.wd.com/t/cannot-get-wd-backup-software-to-recognize-wd-elelment-external-drive-on-windows-pc/230129/1 "2018-10-31T16:11:46Z")

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I am sorry to sound like a dummy but when I open the WD Backup Software it does not recognize my external WD Element Drive (although the computer does and I have successfully formatted it) and only gives me the option of backing up to Drop Box rather than the external drive. Have I downloaded the wrong software?

Thank you!

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**Author:** ![Brandon.P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Brandon.P](https://community.wd.com/u/Brandon.P)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 5:17pm UTC](https://community.wd.com/t/cannot-get-wd-backup-software-to-recognize-wd-elelment-external-drive-on-windows-pc/230129/2 "2018-11-03T17:17:50Z")

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Hi donlog,

The WD Elements drive do not support WD Backup software. You can refer the below mentioned link to know about the supported software for the WD Elements External hard drive.

[https://support.wdc.com/product.aspx?ID=306&lang=en#WD\_downloads](https://support.wdc.com/product.aspx?ID=306&lang=en#WD_downloads)

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**Author:** ![donlog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e0b2c6/32.png) [@donlog](https://community.wd.com/u/donlog)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2018, 7:25pm UTC](https://community.wd.com/t/cannot-get-wd-backup-software-to-recognize-wd-elelment-external-drive-on-windows-pc/230129/3 "2018-11-03T19:25:31Z")

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Many thanks!

Donald Logan

“I wanted only to try to live in accord with the promptings which came from my true self. Why was that so very difficult?” - From Demian by Hermann Hesse