May 21, 2020 How to Convert NTFS to FAT32 or exFAT Without Data Loss. Step 1: Run MiniTool Partition Wizard. Download this software to your computer. Then, you can open the software and input the license key to the. Step 2: Convert NTFS to FAT32 with This Software. After running the program successfully, we. Unlike Windows, macOS gives you the tools to format, partition, restore and repair your hard drive from a single screen that can be found in your utilities. To find the screen, follow these steps.
Yo just got a new external hard drive and want to use it on your Mac. However, the Mac OS does not allow you to write data to the drive. You may wonder how to reformat an external hard drive on Mac. Follow the tutorial below, you'll get everything covered.
- Bonus: How to Recover Data from Formatted External Hard Drive on Mac
Reformatting an external hard drive for use with Mac OSX is not as difficult as it might seem. In a few simple steps you are ready to go and can save your back-up files to the external drive, keeping your information safe and giving you peace of mind. Keep in mind that a MAC can generally read other file formats, but for the best performance and to create a bootable disk, formatting exclusively for MAC is required.
Part 1: Which File Format You Should Choose?
Before you begin formatting the drive, there are a few things to do. The most important, you should decide which format to use.
There are a few file formats you can use, but it depends on the purpose you want to use the drive for. Which one is right for your circumstance? We'll describe them here, you'll know your choice after reading the details.
APFS: This is the default file system in Macs with High Sierra. It is efficient and reliable. However, it won't be readable and usable on machines that are not running Mac High Sierra, and Windows or Linux PCs. What's more, it is compatible with SSD and flash storage devices only.
Mac OS Extended (Journaled/HFS+): If you didn't update your Mac OS to High Sierra, the default file system on your Mac shoule be Mac OS Extended. Mac OS Extended (encrypted) would be an ideal option if you probably carry your laptop or external drive here and there. You can encrypt it so that no one can access the contents on your drive.
MS-DOS FAT (aka FAT32): In addition to Mac, it can also be written and read by Linux and Windows. It enables you to regularly share files with your friends who own a PC. Nevertheless, this older file system is limited to no more than 4GB and there might be security issue and disk errors.
ExFAT: It is similar to ExFAT which can be read by both Windows and Mac, but it can store more than 4GB files.
NTFS: As the default file system in Windows, it can only read by Mac OS, writing to it is not available. Luckily, there are third-party tools to help you do so.
Part 2: Format External Hard Drive for Mac with Disk Utility
Formatting an external hard drive would erase everything on it. Hence, you must backup your important files before reformatting the drive if you want to save them. The easiest way is to drag it from one drive to another.
All is set, then you can go ahead to format the drive on your Mac. Disk utility - the MacOS utility application can help you with this. Just follow these steps below:
Step 1. Connect the external drive or the USB drive to the MAC.
Step 2. Start the Disk Utility, located under Applications > Utilities.
Step 3. Find the name of the drive in the left side of the Utilities window and select it. And click Erase button.
Step 4. Follow on-screen prompts to choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) file system and allow the disk to format.
Bonus: How to Recover Data from Formatted External Hard Drive on Mac
In case you forgot to backup files before formatting the external drive. Here comes the cure - iMyFone AnyRecover - a one-stop solution to recover deleted, lost or formatted files from Mac.
Follow these simple steps using AnyRecover to get your files back!
Get Ready!
First, download and install AnyRecover, following on-screen prompts to accomplish the task.
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Get Set!
- 1. After loading AnyRecover, plug your external hard drive into your Mac directly or via USB.
- 2. Next select the drive under 'External Removable Devices' tab, click 'Start' to begin scanning lost files on the drive.
Go!
- 1. Mac system size. AnyRecover takes a moment to scan your drive. Once done, it will list out all scanning results by file type.
- 2. Double click a single file to preview it before recovery.
- 3. Select the files and press Recover to get them back.
What If?
What if my files were not found? Fear not. We can take this a step further. Enable 'Deep Scan' to try one more time, follow the steps above just as before to locate and recover your files.
It is plain to see that AnyRecover for Mac is a tool worthy of top shelf treatment in your arsenal of items that are used to defend, recover and keep your system up and running. Don't get caught without the file you need for that meeting or stumbling looking for baby photos that were stored on disk and suddenly 'hid' from your view. Allow AnyRecover to find and recover your lost files. AnyRecover is easy to use but provides sophisticated results that mean you know what you're doing!
© Thanayu Jongwattanasilkul / EyeEm/Getty Images You can format a hard drive on a PC or Mac using utility features. Thanayu Jongwattanasilkul /EyeEm/Getty ImagesHow To Format External Hard Drive Pc
- You may need to format a hard drive to match your computer's operating system before you can use it.
- To format a hard drive in Windows, you'll use the Disk Management utility; on a Mac, you'll use Disk Utility.
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If you're adding a hard drive to your computer, you probably need to format it to your computer's operating system before you can use it. Vlc download mac os x 10 6 8.
This is easy to do with built-in utilities for both Windows and Mac computers, and the process is the same whether you're formatting an internal drive installed on a desktop PC or an external drive plugged into your desktop or laptop.
Keep in mind that when you format a hard drive, it erases all the files and it can be difficult or impossible to recover them. Be careful with this command and always make sure you are choosing the right hard drive in the formatting utility.
How to format a hard drive on Windows
1. In the Start button search box, type 'Disk Management.'
2. In the search results, select 'Create and format hard disk partitions.'
© Dave Johnson/Business Insider Find the Disk Management utility in the Start button search results. Dave Johnson/Business Insider3. In the list of hard drives, right click the drive you want to format. In the pop-up menu, choose 'Format…'
4. In the Format window, choose the file system you want to use. Usually, you'll want NTFS, which is the default for Windows. Make sure there is a check next to 'Perform a quick format.'
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5. When you're ready to format the drive, click 'OK.'
© Dave Johnson/Business Insider You can format a drive with just a few clicks. Dave Johnson/Business InsiderIf you want to format your Windows system drive (the 'C' drive), you can't do that when Windows is running because the drive is in use. Instead, you can download Windows 10 to a USB flash drive using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool and boot from that. Once you've booted Windows from the USB flash drive, you can format the C drive.
How to format a hard drive on a Mac
What Format Hard Drive For Mac And Pc Software
1. In the Finder menu, click 'Go' and then, in the drop-down menu, choose 'Utilities.'
2. In the Utilities folder, choose 'Disk Utility.'
3. In the pane on the left of the Disk Utility window, click the drive you want to format.
![What Format Hard Drive For Mac And Pc What Format Hard Drive For Mac And Pc](https://briannalentz.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/crochet-sunflower-blanket-3.jpg?w=1200)
Format Mac Hdd On Pc
© Dave Johnson/Business Insider Select the drive you want to format and then choose “Erase.” Dave Johnson/Business Insider4. At the top of the window, click 'Erase.'
5. In the pop-up window, choose the file system you want to use. Usually, you'll want ExFAT, which is the default for the MacOS.
6. When you're ready, click 'Erase.'
If you want to format your Mac's system drive, you can't do that when the Mac is running normally because the drive is in use by the operating system. To get around that problem, hold down the Command + R keys when you turn on your Mac and let go when the logo appears. You'll see the MacOS Utilities window; choose 'Disk Utility.' Now you can choose to erase your startup drive, and choose 'Mac OS Extended (Journaled)' as the operating system.