external hard drive format for mac and windows

Note: While formatting a pen drive you will see FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS as the available file system. Within seconds, you will have your drive in the new format. Once done hit the format button and that’s it. Plug in your external HDD to the USB port of your computer> then go to my computer > find your external drive > right-click it > and select format.Ī new window will open, select the desired file system, keep the allocation unit size to default and check mark quick format (or it will take more time). Windowsįormatting a drive on Windows is quite simple. Now that we know the good and bad about every file system, let see how to format a drive in Windows, MAC, and Linux. How to Format an External Hard drive or Pen drive Thus making it ideal for SDcards of the high-end camera. But unlike FAT32, it does not have 4GB limit for single file size. However being a windows propriety file system, it does not play well in open source environment. For Android, you can use Stick mount app (root needed). It works fine with Windows and MAC (all the modern version). Although it lacks all modern features and comes with 4 GB limit for single file size.ĮxFAT: is the extended version of exFAT. This is why it’s used in all small flash drive. Windows, MAC, Linux, Android, even TV, and PS3 etc. However, I have not really use this format much, so we just skip it.įAT32: This oldest file system and work with all OS i.e. To read an ext4 drive on Windows, you can Ext2Read and OSXfuse for MAC. However, to use it on Windows you can HFS explorer (read only).Įxt4: This is a default file system for linux OS (including Raspberry Pi). If you format your external hard drive to HFS, you can use it on MAC and Linux (by removing journaling). HFS+: This MAC propriety file system and is used in iOS and MAC. And to support NTFS on Android use Stick mount or Paragon NTFS, HFS and exFAT. However, NTFS drives are read only in MAC, but you can get write access by using software like NTFS-3g. Most external drives come preformatted in NTFS so that they can be used easily with Windows. NTFS: This is windows propriety file system. So if you can’t afford losing you data, take backup.Ĭhoosing a right file system is a bit tricky, so here are some pros and cons of all file system. Although you can still get it back, but it’s much harder after formatting.

Warming: Formating a drive, also erase its data. To get larger file size format it to exFAT. Your camera’s SD card (FAT32) can only hold a file up to 4GB file.

Before you sell your SDcard or Pendrive, you should format it to erase its data.You want to use your external hard drive in both MAC, PC and Linux (use FAT32).If the drive is not properly formatted, it won’t work.You brought a new unformatted hard drive.

External hard drive format for mac and windows