Here’s a clear, updated look at whether the WD My Cloud PR4100 network-attached storage (NAS) device is discontinued — including what that means for buying one, support status, and practical consequences.Current Availability and Sales StatusThe PR4100 is noticeably hard to find new through official retailers and distributors. Many regional sellers list models as out of stock or unavailable, and some older SKU listings show the product as no longer available.In community discussions, users have observed that it’s becoming very difficult to locate new units through WD’s own store or authorized retailers, prompting speculation that WD may be phasing out production or availability even if no formal announcement exists.Bottom line: The PR4100 appears unavailable (or nearly so) in many markets, but there’s no official WD statement confirming a formal product discontinuation in the sense of “end of life” like you’d see in enterprise equipment. It may simply be out of production and sold out.What “Discontinued” Could MeanThere are a few different aspects to consider:1. Retail AvailabilityIf most retailers no longer list it, that practically means it’s out of regular sale. Many NAS buyers now report the PR4100 is not stocked or redirecting buyers to other products — a typical sign that a model is at or near the end of its sales cycle.2. Software & Support LifecycleEven if the hardware is hard to buy, WD’s support lifecycle policy shows that the PR4100 is still within its support period under My Cloud OS 5:Western Digital’s Product Lifecycle Support Policy lists the PR4100 with a planned support timeline extending through December 2026 for software updates and security patches.That means WD hasn’t declared it fully “end of support” or “obsolete” yet — as long as OS5 is supported, the device can receive firmware/security updates.However, WD has already ended support for older software (OS3), and remote or cloud access is limited for any device not updated to the latest firmware.3. No Major Successors or ReplacementsUnlike some product lines, Western Digital hasn’t widely promoted a direct successor to the PR4100. Many users in forums note a lack of new NAS offerings from WD, especially at that prosumer level, which fuels questions about WD’s direction in NAS hardware.Practical Implications for Owners or BuyersIf you already own a PR4100:You can continue to use it normally.Firmware updates and security patches via My Cloud OS 5 should continue until at least end of 2026.Past that point, support could cease — meaning no more updates, and cloud services or remote access might stop.If you’re considering buying one:New units are hard to find. You’ll likely be looking at used or leftover stock rather than fresh inventory.Since WD hasn’t clearly announced a replacement, alternatives from brands like Synology DiskStation DS425+ NAS or TERRAMASTER F4‑212 4 Bay NAS might be worth considering depending on your needs.SummaryOfficial discontinuation? — Not formally announced by Western Digital.Retail availability? — Very limited or absent in many markets.Software support? — Still in support through at least 2026 under WD’s lifecycle policy.Practical reality? — Effectively, the PR4100 is out of production / hard to find, but it isn’t officially “end-of-life” yet in the technical support sense.If you want, I can also help compare current NAS alternatives with similar performance to the PR4100 — let me know your budget and what features matter most!

Is PR4100 Discontinued?

When shares disappear after a firmware update, it’s alarming—but in many cases, the data is still intact. Firmware updates on NAS devices, routers with USB storage, or file servers can reset configurations, permissions, or services without actually deleting files. Below is a practical, step-by-step guide to help you rescue your data safely.1. Don’t Panic or Write New DataFirst, stop using the device for storing new files. Writing new data can overwrite existing information and reduce recovery chances. Keep the system powered on if possible, but avoid reinitializing, formatting, or “reset to factory defaults” unless you are certain data is backed up.2. Identify What “Disappeared”Clarify what’s missing:Are the shared folders gone, but the disk is visible?Are the disks showing as empty?Are shares inaccessible due to permission errors?Often after a firmware update, the shares are not deleted—only unmounted, hidden, or no longer published.3. Check Storage and VolumesLog into the device’s admin interface:Verify that the disk(s) and volumes are healthy and mountedLook for statuses like “Healthy,” “Degraded,” “Unmounted,” or “Foreign”If the volume exists but shares are missing, the data is likely safeIf the volume is unmounted, mount it manually (do not format).4. Re-enable File ServicesFirmware updates can disable services:Enable SMB/CIFS, NFS, or AFP (depending on what you used)Confirm the correct workgroup/domain settingsRestart file services and try accessing shares againSometimes the shares reappear immediately once services are re-enabled.5. Check Users and PermissionsUpdates may reset permissions:Verify user accounts still existReassign read/write permissions to foldersCheck if shares are set to hidden or restricted to specific usersTry accessing the storage as an administrator to confirm the files are there.6. Look for “Lost” or Default FoldersSome systems recreate default shares and detach custom ones:Browse the file system using a built-in file managerLook for folders under paths like /volume1, /data, /mnt, or /sharesYour data may be present but no longer mapped as a network shareYou can usually recreate a share and point it to the existing folder.7. Access the Disk Directly (Advanced)If the web interface doesn’t show your data:Power down the deviceRemove the drive and connect it to a computer using a USB/SATA adapterUse an OS that supports the file system (Linux is best for EXT4/Btrfs)If the files are visible, copy them immediately to another storage device.8. Use Data Recovery Software (Last Resort)If volumes are corrupted or not mounting:Use reputable recovery tools that support your file systemAvoid “repair” options that modify the disk before copying dataAlways recover to a different drive9. Contact Vendor SupportIf this was a known firmware issue, the vendor may have:A rollback procedureA patch or script to restore sharesOfficial recovery steps for your modelConclusionWhen shares disappear after a firmware update, the data is usually not lost—just inaccessible. By checking volumes, re-enabling services, restoring permissions, or accessing the disk directly, you can often rescue your data without specialized tools. Act carefully, avoid formatting, and always back up your data once access is restored.

MyCloud now cannot see harddrive or shares via WebGui, PC can!