

As long as we format the external hard drive to one of these 2 file systems, it can be shared between Mac and Windows.īoth FAT32 and exFAT have advantages and disadvantages.įAT32: FAT32 works with all versions of Windows, Mac OS, Linux, game consoles, etc. Similarly, Windows OS will ask us to format the HFS+ formatted drive when we connecting such a disk, let along edit files saved on HFS+ formatted hard disks unless we resort to third party programs.īut luckily, there are file systems well supported by both Mac and Windows PC, and they are FAT32 (it might be called MS-DOS on Mac) and exFAT. However, when we connect a NTFS formatted disk to Mac, Mac OS X doesn't allow us to write files to the drive neither edit files, though it can read a NTFS drive.
Format for windows partition on mac for mac#
To put it simply, if you want to share external hard drive between Mac and PC, you need to format an external hard drive for Mac and PC.Ĭurrently, hard drives for Windows PC are always formatted with NTFS, while hard disks for Mac are formatted with HFS+. Why Need to Format External Hard Drive for Mac and PC Actually, most external hard disks could be compatible with Mac and PC as long as you format them correctly. Well, is there an external hard drive that could be shared between Mac and Windows PC? Of course, there is. Now you know which partitioning map is which, the next time you insert an external drive or want to partition the built-in storage disk of the Mac, it will be easier to choose between the available options.Īs we know, external hard drives are widely used to backup data or interchange files among different computers. It is currently used for Windows partitions formatted as MS-DOS (FAT) or ExFAT. A partition to used for a Mac only is formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) file system (also known as HFS+) A partition used for both Mac and Windows you format as an ExFAT file system. We will guide you through the whole process of partitioning your external drive to HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) and NTFS formats. If that’s the case then you have come to the right place.

So you have got an external drive and want to partition it to keep Mac and Windows data separately.

Click on 'Manage' and select 'Disk Management' below the 'Storage' folder. Select Disk Management Right click on the 'Computer' icon and select 'Manage'.
Format for windows partition on mac how to#
This is how to partition your hard drive using window. Partitioning your hard disk, you reduce the chances of your vital data being corrupted, thus separate data from operating system. Want to format an external hard drive for Mac and Windows PC? Do you know how to do this work easily? This MiniTool article will show you specific methods to make external hard drive compatible with Mac and PC, which are easy and safe to complete.
