Can I use seagate external drive as plug and play

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silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

#205925 2-Dec-2016 19:50

I've purchased a seagate 1 Tb external drive to back up my computer. I'm using to back up my computer as well photos. I have had a WD drive that I've used to back up photos for a couple/few years, and I simply use it as plug n play. The seagate has software attached which I'm using for the PC back up, but am assuming I can also use it, or another one, as a plug n play to back up photos?

Thanks

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

richms

28207 posts

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#1681493 2-Dec-2016 20:33

I have never used any of the software that came on an external drive ever, they have all just plugged in and worked.

But if you want to use bitlocker on it, do it before you fill it up as IME it is terribly slow encrypting existing drives when they are external compared to ones on the internal sata ports.

Richard rich.ms

silverbirch

275 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1681495 2-Dec-2016 20:43

Thanks ...... I thought about it after I posted, and realised I had a choice to use it how I wished if I ignored the software.

Thanks for taking time to reply.

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

kingdragonfly

11215 posts

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#1695468 27-Dec-2016 17:14

You might be confused because any removable storage can optionally have "autoplay" software. (Sometimes called "auto-start")

Anyone can create an autoplay removable disk, if you're so inclined.

It's a fairly advanced stopic, so I won't get into the "behind the scenes" guts of it.

Even if a manufacturer creates an autoplay disk, you can disable them. Here's a article that discusses enable or disable auto-start in Windows 10.

http://www.howtogeek.com/236241/how-to-enable-disable-and-customize-autoplay-in-windows-10/

On a separate subject, software-wise all removable drives are treated generically. Obviously a USB3 SSD will have different performance from a USB2 laptop drive. However Windows doesn't care who the manufacturer is, as long as the drivers are available.

Again, hard disk drivers is an advanced subject, but is almost never a worry nowadays.