Initially I was quite happy with this product as it worked fine and provided me with all the things I needed in a NAS. Really good cloud support, backup and synching with 3rd party apps for dropbox and a host of other integrations. However after a recent non-reversible firmware upgrade they have basically rendered it useless.
In November 2020 they released new firmware and Cloud OS5 for the device. This removed a lot of the core functionality of the device. They advertised it as a mini cloud server, with web services, web dav, sql database functionality, external cloud access, and a host of other apps. They removed most of the apps, removed all external network access, added in authentication through their own servers so all your data and usage is logged by them remotely, and removed the option to run a lot of your own services using docker. They also severely limited it's usage as a network drive by removing most of the authentication options and forcing all auth to go through their servers, so things like smart cameras or other network devices you may own cannot store the footage or data to the device as they naturally don't have support for WD's custom redirect and authentication servers.
They turned a functional and useful device into a local hard drive only usable exactly the way they want you to use it, as a network drive for a PC. Most other uses are removed, and all the reasons I purchased it are no longer available to me.
There are hundreds of forum posts on their community portal begging them to reintroduce features, asking why things were moved or changed or altered in ways that removed functionality, and now after weeks of posting most of them are still unanswered or given vague "this is no longer supported in OS5" replies. The worst ones being "that should still work the old way" and when a user follows up stating it does not as the new changes totally alter it, there is radio silence.
If you are looking at the advertised specifications sheet on their site, or the advertised app support, or the cloud features they show off, know that most of that is outdated information and those options are no longer available. Steer clear of this now defunct product line.
| Brand | Western Digital |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Western Digital |
| Model number | WDBWZE0160KBK-EESN |
| Model Name | WDBWZE0160KBK MY Cloud EX4100 |
| Model Year | 2015 |
| Part Number | WDBWZE0160KBK-EESN |
| RAM Size | 2048 MB |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 16 TB |
| Flash Memory Installed Size | 8 |
| Computer Memory Type | DDR3 SDRAM |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 16 TB |
| Hard Drive Size | 16000 GB |
| Operating System | Yes^My Cloud OS |
| Processor Count | 2 |
| Hardware Interface | USB 3.0 |
| Special Features | DHCP client^DLNA certified^Jumbo frames support^LED indicators^Operating temperature range:0 - 35 °C^RAID support^Security algorithms:256-bit AES^Web-based management^cooling:Active^iSCSI support |
| Number Of Items | 1 |
| Colour Screen | No |
| Voltage | 19 Volts |
| Wattage | 1 |
| Batteries Included | No |
| Batteries Required | No |
| Data Transfer Rate | 115 Megabits Per Second |
| Total Usb Ports | 2 |
| Connector Type | Wake-on-LAN ready^Ethernet LAN^USB port |
| Form Factor | 3.5" |
| Device Type | External |
| Has Auto Focus | No |
| Includes Rechargable Battery | No |
| Supports Bluetooth Technology | No |
| Has Programmable Buttons | No |
| Product Dimensions | 19.2 x 17 x 23.2 cm; 6.13 Kilograms |
| Item Weight | 6.13 kg |
| Department | Default Category |
| Manufacturer | Western Digital |
| ASIN | B00SYL127W |
| Item Model Number | WDBWZE0160KBK-EESN |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | 29 January 2020 |
