with Windows, I launched HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool, as somebody has claimed it to have had success, but I ended up with a 'Device media is write-protected' error.again, I wasted some time with OS X and some built-in command-line tools (which I guess are just the command-line counterpart of the Disk Utility app).with Windows 10, I tried removing all partitions from the physical drive with the built-in Disk Manager and some other tools like EaseUS Partition Master.

I also tried to change from MBR to GUID and vice-versa with no success.

under OS X, I tried to initialize the physical drive several times with Apple's Disk Utility.

Whenever I plug this device into a computer, there is a virtual CD unit that pops up called 'WD Unlocker', and I'm trying to remove it physically, instead of just hiding it (I found many guides on this, and by the way none of them worked).

If you aren't in law enforcement, and you're trying to access someone else's data, then the encryption is doing exactly what it's supposed to do by keeping you out of a place you don't belong.I have a WD My Book (3TB storage, USB 3), and just like many other enthusiast owners of this external drive, I'm trying to get rid of their crapware. If you're a member of law enforcement, it should be easy enough to figure out what the 'usual password' is by serving up warrants to other accounts they have online, or by analyzing passwords saved in their computer browser, etc. I'm guessing that whoever put in the hint of 'the usual password' knows what the password is. However that doesn't mean someone couldn't buy one online and have it shipped into the country. For the few where this type of encryption is illegal, WD sells models where the encryption has been disabled. In most civilized countries this is perfectly legal today. I am going to start a criminal procedure against them. In my opinion, under Spanish Criminal Code, WD business is ilegal. The software would not recognize at all any password. It's a shot in the dark but has anyone worked with the newer USB3 connected drives and would you know if bypassing the WD Unlock is possible with this setup. It's now my understanding that MHDD is unable to assist unless we're dealing with an ATA drive and I've a hunch that a USB3 to SATA convertor cable won't help our situation either. The test drive that worked had a SATA interface but the customer drive has a USB3 connector soldered onto the PCB. In prep for trying to bypass the security we've set a password on a different drive (one of our techs), used MHDD and successfully recovered the password from the. The situation is all legit as he has provided us with a drive receipt and he's essentially wanting the pictures of his former dog recovered. I am an IT tech and I have a customer's WD My Passport 1TB drive which he's locked with the drive lock software & forgotten the password. An express 'thank you' to anyone who can confirm whether or not this might be possible.

Wd unlocker my passport