The WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra is a popular network-attached storage (NAS) solution for both home and small office users. Designed for reliability and ease of use, it provides centralized storage, remote access, and robust data protection. However, as your storage needs grow, you may find the default drives insufficient. Fortunately, upgrading the drives in a My Cloud EX2 Ultra is straightforward, whether you want more capacity, improved performance, or both.
Why Upgrade the Drives in WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra?
Increased Capacity – Over time, photos, videos, backups, and documents can quickly fill up the available space. Larger drives let you store more data without constantly managing free space.
Better Performance – Replacing older drives with faster NAS-optimized HDDs or SSDs can improve data transfer speeds.
Extended Lifespan – Drives wear out after years of use. Installing fresh ones reduces the risk of sudden failures.
Advanced RAID Options – Bigger drives allow you to reconfigure RAID for a balance of performance, redundancy, and protection.
Compatible Drive Options
The My Cloud EX2 Ultra supports 3.5-inch SATA drives, commonly used in NAS environments. WD recommends WD Red Plus or WD Red Pro drives because they are optimized for NAS workloads, offering longer lifespans and better performance under 24/7 use. While SSDs can technically be used with adapters, HDDs remain the most cost-effective option for large storage needs.
Common upgrade choices include:
4TB, 6TB, 8TB, or 12TB WD Red drives for expanded capacity.
WD Red Pro drives for environments needing higher endurance and performance.
Steps to Upgrade Drives
Before starting, back up your data since replacing drives may erase existing information.
Power Down the NAS – Turn off the My Cloud EX2 Ultra and unplug it.
Open Drive Bays – Use the front panel latch to access the drives.
Swap the Drives – Remove old drives and insert new ones, ensuring a secure fit.
Rebuild RAID or Reformat – When powering up, the system will prompt you to set up the drives. You can choose RAID 0, RAID 1, or JBOD depending on your needs.
Restore Data – Copy your backup back to the NAS or let synchronization complete if you swapped drives one at a time in a RAID 1 setup.
Things to Keep in Mind
Backups are essential: Drive upgrades often require reformatting, which erases all data.
Use NAS-rated drives: Desktop drives may fail prematurely in a 24/7 support NAS environment.
Check firmware updates: Ensure the NAS firmware is updated before drive replacement to avoid compatibility issues.
Consider RAID carefully: RAID 1 provides redundancy, while RAID 0 maximizes storage but lacks protection.
Final Thoughts
Upgrading the drives in your WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra can significantly extend the life and usefulness of the device. Whether you need more space for growing media libraries, faster performance, or improved reliability, swapping in larger WD Red or WD Red Pro drives is a smart investment. With careful planning, backups, and the right drive choice, your NAS will continue serving as a secure and efficient storage solution for years to come.