- #Format external hard drive for both mac and pc how to
- #Format external hard drive for both mac and pc mac os
- #Format external hard drive for both mac and pc update
- #Format external hard drive for both mac and pc windows 10
- #Format external hard drive for both mac and pc Pc
#Format external hard drive for both mac and pc windows 10
Windows 10 typically lists an external drive as Disk 2 along with the next successive alphabetic label if you don’t have any other internal disk-based storage.
#Format external hard drive for both mac and pc Pc
If your PC has a secondary “data” drive (D:), Disk Management assigns it as Disk 0. Your PC’s primary boot drive (C:) hosting Windows and other programs appears as Disk 1. Step 1: Right-click on the Start button and select Disk Management on the Power User menu. The process is less straightforward in Windows than what you see on a Mac, but it’s now easier than ever. But let’s go through the important steps you need to know to quickly partition the drive while working on Windows.
#Format external hard drive for both mac and pc how to
We have a full guide on how to complete the process from Windows 10 here.
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We have guides for Windows and MacOS in case you need a helping hand. Make sure you back up anything important before beginning the formatting process. It’s not the ideal solution - we get it - but it works nonetheless.īefore digging in, select a primary format you’ll use the most: MacOS Extended if you primarily use Mac with a secondary exFAT partition, or NTFS if you mainly use Windows 10 with a secondary exFAT partition.įinally, formatting deletes all data stored on the drive. With all that in mind, our guide splits the external drive in half: One primary section capable of storing files larger than 4GB, and a secondary section capable of sharing files between MacOS and Windows 10. If you want to save larger files, you’ll need to create a second, dedicated space using a format optimized for MacOS (Extended) or Windows 10 (NTFS). That puts you in a peculiar pickle, limiting any shared file between the two platforms at 4GB or smaller. Meanwhile, the NTFS system used by Windows 10 supports large files, but this format can’t be read natively by MacOS.
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However, this format doesn’t support larger files, which can be problematic for transferring 4K videos and so on between Macs and Windows 10 PCs. It’s a simpler, universal method if every file you store is less than 4GB in size. Leo Watson/Digital Trends It’s a split, niche scenarioĪ quick Google search may lead you to believe you’re on the right path by formatting the entire drive with Extensible File Allocation Table, or exFAT. I will be using it for several TB of files so I can purchase multiple hard drives if necessary. This is not what I'm looking for, I would ideally like something that I can just plug in and easily transfer between both. Regardless of your operating system, if you’re willing to do a little reformatting."
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#Format external hard drive for both mac and pc mac os
"Western Digital’s 4TB My Passport works with Windows PCs right out of the box, but can be reformatted to work with Mac OS X. I was leaning towards a Western Digital’s 4TB My Passport but it said in one review said. I know that there can be compatibility issues with external hard drives with PC & Mac, I've been reading reviews online about what I should purchase. In my office I use a 2015 iMac and when I arrive I will be purchasing a desktop PC. Once I arrive I will have a few weeks to work on it, so I want to take all my files with me to create portfolio worthy showpieces.
#Format external hard drive for both mac and pc update
I haven't done much to update my portfolio in the last few years. I'm currently a "design professional" who is moving from the Middle East to North America. I'm not sure if this is the best place to post this, so I will move it if I need to. If your question doesn't quite fit in any of the above, or is not receiving answers elsewhere, feel free to ask it here. Linux Subreddits /r/linuxhardware /r/linux_devicesįor everything else, Google is your friend! Make sure to check there first! Hardware Sales /r/buildapcsales /r/BaPCSalesEurope Sell or Buy Used Hardware /r/hardwareswap /r/HardwareSwapUK /r/hardwareswapeu Programming Tips /r/learnprogramming or /r/programming General Computer Tips /r/TechnologyProTips Help with a Virus or Malware /r/24hoursupport, /r/techsupport. Technology Related: /r/technology or /r/computek.īuilding a Computer: /r/buildapc or /r/buildapcforme.īuying a Laptop /r/SuggestALaptop, /r/laptops, /r/GamingLaptops/, or /r/LaptopDeals.īrand Specific Subreddits /r/AcerAspireLaptops/, Because the topic is so broad, please consider one of these subreddits to get better answers to your questions: This subreddit is for general discussion of computers. Subreddit Rules Posting Guide Please read both before posting!