WDFME.exe RAM hog

[andy92980]

Just had to use time to look into a low RAM issue with my computer when I'm on a deadline to finish a project for school.  Came to find out that WDFME.exe was using 98% of the total RAM available.  I don't understand why WD wrote this program to take up that much RAM at one time, but it's ridiculous.  I ended the process, and if I get the issue again, I'm going to start looking to another manufacturer for my storage needs.

[andy92980]

Oh, I should clarify that the total RAM in the computer is 8GB, so that particular process was using well over 7.5GB of RAM for some odd reason.  I'll also add that I didn't even have SmartWare open.  That file must have somehow been activated in the background upon the system reset I did prior to this issue.

[Speaker]

Hi, i have something similar.

Under Win7Pro 64b, i5, asus mother, 8Gb of RAM, since i update to version 1.5.x.x, i have my computer with disk light permanently on. After a lot of searches, the process that cause that behaviour is wdfme.exe. As this process is running, is almost imposible to work. Killing the process let me work, but leave my passport out of connection for backup porpouse.

How can i access any of the old version of the product? when can we, users, can access a solution to this serious problem?

[Speaker]

I have a patch... not a solution.

I disable wdfme service from Windows Services. Then, i can execute WDSmartWare.exe without getting that service into run.

I can access then my disk and my backup software can work without any problem.

The question here, is what is wdfme? what it does? when do i need it? or... i really need it?

If the service is there for backup porpouse through wd backup software then i will really like a checkbox to disable all this options from software.

[SLYPHNIER]

AFAIK, WDFME = Western Digital File Management Engine

it indexing changes on your drive so it ready for backup when the system entering idle (if you set auto-backup on idle)

for people only want to use mybook as USB storage and having issue with smartware, i personally suggest uninstall smartware and just install SES driver (check WDC support download page)

for people want to use Mybook feature, like Label and smart check function 

you can install SmartWare without backup function

for the guide : http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5419/#

choose Install Drive Setting

it seems, it still installing smartware stuff like WDFME etc... but not WDFME wont hogging your system 

[Speaker]

Hi, thanks for your answer.

I am using a MyPassport disk. I have set a password to access it.

With SES driver, and not WDSmartDrv installed, how can i mantain, change, access, that password?

[Speaker]

I uninstall wdsmartware, install ses driver... the disk is not detected when i turn on the pc.

What is more, if i unplug it, and then plug it again (safe unplug), nothing happens.

Virtual CD is detected, but not the disk. Unless of course i execute the "WD SmartWare.exe" that resides in Virtual CD.

I like new feature to do not ask for password in this machine, i really dislike side effects.

Perhaps something new could appear? A real solution, not only patches?

[Ardvark]

If your drive has a password on it, it won't appear until the password is entered. Thats how the drive is supposed to work.

[Speaker]

That is right.

The primary use of the disk, is for backup porpouse (using other software), in one PC.

Then i use the disk eventually in my notebook as i am using it right now (SES Driver installed, executing WDSmartWare).

Executing WDSmartWare, ask for the password, then i enter it and ask my to install damaged software... every time i turn on the PC. It is anoying.

I like the software, and i really really like new feature... the one that remember password for THIS pc. In my notebook it is still asking for it, and that is a correct way of doing things.

But dispite i disable all wd* services (3... wdfem, wdrules, and other), the computer is hanging "using" the disk. Not when idle, just all time.

I really would like to have a notice of an update that correct this BIG BUG in the software. The product is really good... software underlying it... seems to be, until updates...

[JoeFranko]

The new update is seriously slowing down my system. I just checked and it's using 98% of my memory! I'm using Windows 7 on an i5-64 with 6 GB of memory, so there's nothing special about my machine and, in fact, until the last update things were working well. How could WD release a piece of software that uses memory like this? The last time the software was a memory hog they issued an update very soon after. Turning the update off is no solution. That's why I bought these disks, for automatic update. The drives are marketed with that "feature."

Common on, WD. FIx the memory problem!