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That is just bundled with the drive for convenience and is not required. You may find that you like it if you try it, however, as it may be an easy way to backup your system on a schedule. You can safely format or delete that software if you want to, however. I use Windows built-in backup utility on one of my computers with a similar drive, and I also use the professional workstation software from <a href="http://www.acronis.com" rel="ugc">http://www.acronis.com</a>&nbsp;for another with no problems at all. If you prefer to, you can just copy and paste files to the drive as well.
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That is just bundled with the drive for convenience and is not required. You may find that you like it if you try it, however, as it may be an easy way to backup your system on a schedule. You can safely format or delete that software if you want to, however. I use Windows built-in backup utility on one of my computers with a similar drive, and I also use the professional workstation software from http://www.acronis.com [http://www.acronis.com] for another with no problems at all. If you prefer to, you can just copy and paste files to the drive as well.

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i recommend syncback, a well known, and FREE backup software : &nbsp;<br />
<a href="http://www.2brightsparks.com/welcome/backup/freeware.html?source=adwords&campaign=syncback-name-search&adgroup=syncback&ad=007&gclid=CO-CzeDCubICFeTLtAodzF4AFw" rel="ugc">http://www.2brightsparks.com/welcome/backup/freeware.html?source=adwords&campaign=syncback-name-search&adgroup=syncback&ad=007&gclid=CO-CzeDCubICFeTLtAodzF4AFw</a>
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i recommend syncback, a well known, and FREE backup software :  
http://www.2brightsparks.com/welcome/backup/freeware.html?source=adwords&campaign=syncback-name-search&adgroup=syncback&ad=007&gclid=CO-CzeDCubICFeTLtAodzF4AFw [http://www.2brightsparks.com/welcome/backup/freeware.html?source=adwords&campaign=syncback-name-search&adgroup=syncback&ad=007&gclid=CO-CzeDCubICFeTLtAodzF4AFw]

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@johnbrns &nbsp;- Thank you, and I was happy to assist you. .... Thinkpads_User
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@johnbrns  - Thank you, and I was happy to assist you. .... Thinkpads_User

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I purchased a western digital essentials 2 terabyte hard drive. It comes with backup software: wdSmartware. must i use this software or can i use an alternative? thanks.
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I purchased a western digital essentials 2 terabyte hard drive. It comes with backup software: wdSmartware. must i use this software or can i use an alternative? thanks.

Alternatives to WDSmartware external hard drive software???

Hardware includes cell phones and other digital living devices, tablets, computers, servers, peripherals and components, printers and scanners, gaming consoles, networking hardware such as routers, hubs, switches and modems, storage devices and security equipment such as firewalls and other appliances.

Hardware

The term "Backup" means the methods and processes involved to copy computer data (system data as well as application data) to media other than the ones where the data originally live (disk, tape, optical, cloud). "Restore" in turn means the methods and processes involved in data recovery, i. e., bringing back copied computer data to their original location. Backup/Restore primarily serves as a means of protection against data loss, be it due to disaster, corruption or sabotage. It can also be used for recovering data from an earlier point in time and even for cloning machines or applications. There is a wide variety of backup/restore software available, from expensive commercial products to free or open source tools.

Storage Software

System Utilities are a type of system software used to support the computer infrastructure, distinguishing it from application software which is aimed at directly performing tasks that benefit ordinary users. Commonly used utilities include password managers, disk managers, system monitors, data synchronization tools, security and antivirus software and editors.

System Utilities

WD, a Western Digital company, is a long-time innovator and storage industry leader. As a storage technology pacesetter, the company produces reliable, high-performance hard disk drives and solid state drives. These drives are deployed by OEMs and integrators in desktop and mobile computers, enterprise computing systems, embedded systems and consumer electronics applications, as well as by the company in providing its own storage products. WD’s leading storage devices and systems, networking products, media players and software solutions empower people around the world to easily save, store, protect, share and experience their content on multiple devices. WD was established in 1970 and is headquartered in Irvine, Calif. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.wd.com.