How to Read and Write External Hard Drive on Mac and Windows
Ever run out of storage infinite and commencement wondering if it would be possible to accept a crowbar to your new unibody MacBook Pro to pry it open and put another hard bulldoze in? Neither do I. Still, it is frustrating that you have to sacrifice storage space because you spent the extra money to become a solid-state drive instead of the cheaper hard disk drive. And then yous figured, "Fine, I'll just get an external hard drive. I'll store my media files on it while keeping the internal hard bulldoze clear for apps and the OS." While browsing the Internet for your external hard drive, you come across weird terms similar NTFS, HFS+, FAT32, and exFAT. While your instinct may be to discover out if information technology'due south some weird slang acronym divers but on scandalous websites, y'all may fare better by reading below.
NTFS
If you lot own a Windows computer, the difficult drive in your system is probably running the NTFS format, which stands for New Technology File System. While the "New" is originally referring to the year 1993, information technology has since been improved and updated over the years. NTFS has limits for file size and division that are theoretically so large, you lot probably don't take to worry about them in this lifetime. It also has a lot of boosted features, such as security permissions to files and folders, hard links, a modify journal, and more.
While NTFS works natively with Windows, information technology doesn't work quite as well with other operating systems. By default, Macs tin simply read NTFS and not write to them. Some versions of Linux tin can write to NTFS while others may not. The Sony PS3 and the PS4 practise not support NTFS at all. Even Microsoft'south own Xbox 360 failed to support NTFS, simply Microsoft finally included NTFS back up with the Xbox One. It is recommended to utilise NTFS if y'all're working strictly with Windows computers.
HFS+
As mentioned earlier, Macs tin only read NTFS-formatted hard drives past default. If you want to write to NTFS formatted hard drives in Mac Bone X, you're going to demand the help of a tertiary-political party driver. Notwithstanding, if yous're working primarily with Mac computers, you're probably better off using HFS+, which stands for Hierarchical File System, for native back up. Besides known as Mac OS Extended or HFS Extended, HFS+ is an comeback on the HFS file organisation, past supporting larger files and using Unicode for naming files. HFS+ as well has optional journaled features for improved information reliability.
While HFS+ formatted hard drives work great with Macs, they tin't actually be used with other operating systems and devices, since it is a proprietary system from Apple. Windows computers won't even recognize the drive if you lot plug it in and good luck trying to use them for other devices, such as gaming consoles. You should utilise HFS+ if you're planning on using but Mac computers.
APFS
If you have a Mac running macOS High Sierra or later on, you may consider converting your external solid-state bulldoze or USB wink drive to Apple File Arrangement (APFS). Optimized for all-flash storage, APFS features strong encryption, space sharing, fast directory sizing, and improved file arrangement fundamentals.
Delight annotation that APFS can just be read by Macs running macOS High Sierra or later. If you intend to employ your external drive to move files betwixt Macs running dissimilar OS versions, it is recommended that you format your drive in HFS+ instead.
FAT32
FAT32 is sometime, similar Windows 95 quondam. Originally created to replace FAT16 (File Resource allotment Table), it has since been used because it is compatible with modernistic and older systems. While its compatibility is a issue of its long history, its file size and partition limitations really bear witness its age. Even the filenames in FAT32 are limited, just allowing upward to 8 characters.
In FAT32, a single file can simply be as big as 4GB, which is very restricting considering the typical uncompressed Blu-ray picture can be anywhere from xx to 40GB (and even more for an uncompressed UHD Blu-ray motion picture). FAT32 is generally used for moving files to older systems, also as other devices, such as the Sony PS3, Microsoft Xbox 360, and more.
exFAT
While it may sound like a weight-loss product from a tardily-night infomercial, exFAT is a hard drive format that feels similar the kid of NTFS and FAT32. exFAT takes everything that's good about FAT32, such as compatibility and ease of use, and leaves out everything that was bad well-nigh it, similar the 4GB file size limit. Instead, it has very big file and partition size limits, like NTFS, but none of its actress features to maintain its svelte file organization.
exFAT is a adept option if yous work often with Windows and Mac computers. Transferring files between the two operating systems is less of a hassle, since you lot don't have to constantly support and reformat each time. Linux is too supported, but you will need to install appropriate software to take full advantage of it. Unfortunately, exFAT didn't inherit all of FAT32's legacy in compatibility because it may not work with older devices, such every bit the PS3 and Xbox 360. It does work on the current-gen of gaming consoles, such every bit the PS4 and the Xbox One.
Reformat
While it'south user-friendly to buy the hard drive that will piece of work with your computer correct out of the box, nigh external hard drives can also be reformatted so you're not express to your initial choice. Please see beneath on how to reformat your external hard drive on Mac and Windows.
DISCLAIMER: Please keep in mind that reformatting will result in the loss of all the data on the hard drive so make certain yous support your data elsewhere before starting.
How to Reformat in Mac
Step 1: Brand sure your external hard drive is attached and mounted to your Mac.
Step 2: If you take already written any data to the bulldoze, back information technology upward before proceeding to the adjacent footstep.
Step 3: In the Finder, cull Go, and so choose Utilities. The /Applications/Utilities folder will open. (Alternatively, you can search in Spotlight for Disk Utility and click on information technology.)
Stride iv: Launch Disk Utility.
Pace 5: Click the icon for your external difficult drive in the sidebar on the left.
Step vi: Click the Erase tab forth the top of the window.
Stride seven: From the Volume Format menu, choose Mac Os Extended.
Pace eight: Enter a name for the external hard drive in the Proper name field.
Step 9: Click the Erase button.
How to Reformat in Windows
Step i: Plug your external difficult drive into your computer.
Footstep 2: If yous take already written any data to the bulldoze, back it up before proceeding to the next footstep.
Step 3: Open Windows Explorer, click the "Calculator" section in the sidebar and notice your bulldoze.
Step 4: Right-click on the drive and choose "Format."
Step 5: Under "File Organization," choose the file system you want to employ.
Step six: Check the "Quick Format" box.
Step seven: Proper noun your hard drive under "Book Label."
Footstep eight: Click "First" to format the bulldoze.
Step 9: After you're done, don't forget to remove the external hard drive safely earlier unplugging.
Which hard drive format do you utilise? Practise you use ane that's non listed to a higher place? Allow us know in the comments beneath!
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Source: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/computers/buying-guide/choosing-the-right-format-for-your-external-hard-drive
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