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WD 18TB Elements Desktop USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive

BH #WEBWLG0180HB • MFR #WDBWLG0180HBK-NESN
1,192 reviews
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WD 18TB Elements Desktop USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive
Key Features
  • 18TB Storage Capacity
  • Micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 Interface
  • AC Powered
  • USB 2.0 Compatible
Preformatted NTFS for systems running Windows 10 or later, the 18TB Elements Desktop USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive from WD provides users with up to 18TB of add-on storage for their photos, videos, music, documents, and other files. It features a 5 Gb/s micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface, which is also known as USB 3.1 Gen 1 or 3.0, and is backward compatible with 480 Mb/s USB 2.0. It is powered using an 100-240 VAC power adapter, includes a micro-USB to USB-A cable, and may be reformatted for use with other operating systems, such as macOS.
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WD Desktop Overview

Preformatted NTFS for systems running Windows 10 or later, the 18TB Elements Desktop USB 3.2 Gen 1 External Hard Drive from WD provides users with up to 18TB of add-on storage for their photos, videos, music, documents, and other files. It features a 5 Gb/s micro-USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface, which is also known as USB 3.1 Gen 1 or 3.0, and is backward compatible with 480 Mb/s USB 2.0. It is powered using an 100-240 VAC power adapter, includes a micro-USB to USB-A cable, and may be reformatted for use with other operating systems, such as macOS.

Generous Capacity
Experience seamless storage expansion with up to 18TB of space. Elevate your storage capabilities with easy access to your cherished photos, music, videos, and files, seamlessly archived, and readily accessible in one reliable device.
Plug-and-Play Expandability
Simplify your data backup routine with a plug-and-play hard drive. Archive your important files and documents effortlessly, helping to keep your valuable data protected.
Transfer Faster
Experience fast data transfer speeds with USB 3.2 Gen 1, enabling you to quickly transfer and access your files with ease.
Plug-and-Play Simplicity
The WD Elements drive works right out of the box with Windows 10 and later. Just plug it into a USB port to instantly add storage to your system.
UPC: 718037878782

WD Desktop Specs

Key Specs
Total Capacity
18 TB
Drive Type
3.5" HDD
Default OS Support
Windows
*Alternate OS Support via Re-Format
System Connection
Micro-USB 3.0 / 3.1/3.2 Gen 1
Total Capacity
18 TB
Drive Type
3.5" HDD
Performance
Default OS Support
Windows
*Alternate OS Support via Re-Format
Encryption Support
No
External Enclosure
System Connection
Micro-USB 3.0 / 3.1/3.2 Gen 1
Material
Plastic
Fan Cooled
No
Impact Resistance
No
Environmental Resistance
No
Electrical
Power Source
Included AC Adapter
Input Power
100 to 240 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz
General
Operating Conditions
41 to 95°F / 5 to 35°C
Storage Conditions
-4 to 149°F / -20 to 65°C
Dimensions
6.53 x 5.31 x 1.89" / 165.86 x 134.87 x 48.01 mm
Weight
1.98 lb / 0.9 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
2.765 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
9 x 8.3 x 3.6"

WD Desktop Reviews

Good quality of external hard drive

By An
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2026-05-14

I bought this external hard drive to back up my photos. It worked fine, quit and fast.

Second WD Elements purchase is bad

By Sean
Rated 1 out of 5
Date: 2026-04-21

I purchased my first WD Elements 6TB on Walmart, and it went bad in a couple of months. I figured it was just bad luck, so I briefly mourned my lost purchase and got another one here from B&H at the beginning of March, 2026. Now it is April 21, 2026, and the new drive has gone bad, again out of the 30 day warranty time period. That is nearly $400 down the toilet for me, ensuring I will never buy a Western Digital product again.

See any errors on this page?

does this drive work via ups? if yes what are the ...

does this drive work via ups? if yes what are the requirements of the ups? because I have one with a 12V output, when I connect the drive to it, it turns on, but my computer does not detect the drive
Asked by: Elie
This drive is not compatible with UPS connections.
Answered by: Reuben K
Date published: 2022-06-29

Windows 11 has been released. Is 18TB compatible?

Windows 11 has been released. Is 18TB compatible?
Asked by: KARL
You can use an 18TB drive with a 64bit OS.
Answered by: Reuben K
Date published: 2021-10-11

This item is listed as 18Tbs. What is the actual ...

This item is listed as 18Tbs. What is the actual usable Tbs?
Asked by: shane
On this 18TB drive you would be 16.5TB of usable storage.
Answered by: Moe
Date published: 2020-11-24

What are the connectors on the USB cable that is ...

What are the connectors on the USB cable that is included? I only have USB Type A connections on the computer and need to know if I need to get a different cable or not. (for the 18 GB version of this drive)
Asked by: Larry
This WD Elements Desktop USB 3.0 External Hard Drive comes with a cable for USB 3.0 A connection to the computer. For connection to a USB-C port, you can use an adapter like this: https://bhpho.to/3hXnXKm .
Answered by: Jordan K
Date published: 2022-12-29

Does the drive 18 TB straight from the box ...

Does the drive 18 TB straight from the box require subscription, or reformatting to avoid the subscription ( I have Windows10)?
Asked by: Henryk
No, the WD 18TB Elements Desktop USB 3.0 External Hard Drive does not require a subscription.
Answered by: Kenneth C
Date published: 2023-03-20

Which type is the 18tb WD Elements Desktop - a ...

Which type is the 18tb WD Elements Desktop - a PMR or the SMR?
Asked by: Travis
Since the Elements drive is not Data Center drive, it will be a CMR drive.
Answered by: Zev
Date published: 2024-03-28

Does this drive go into sleep mode with mac OS?

Does this drive go into sleep mode with mac OS?
Asked by: Elliott
The WD Utilities can be used on MacOS to disable sleep mode on the WD 18TB Elements Desktop USB 3.0.
Answered by: Michael M
Date published: 2021-11-18

Does this work with Mac?

Does this work with Mac?
Asked by: Miguel
Yes it does work with Mac. I had an older version of Mac when I first set it up. Now I have macOS Bug Sur version 11.6.1. I used Disk Utility & initially formatted the entire drive as Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled, Encrypted). Later I created two partitions. And formatted 4 TB as Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled, Encrypted), and 2 TB as exFAT to use with BootCamp for Windows. I primarily use it only with TimeMachine, but I also occasionally copy files to and from it.
Answered by: Dave
Date published: 2021-12-27
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