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Apple Computing Products:
macOS - Notebook Hardware
Need help formatting my external hard drive
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<blockquote data-quote="just8food" data-source="post: 1522044" data-attributes="member: 304776"><p>Alright, so I just transferred over from Windows to a Macbook Pro. I saved all my important files onto an external 500GB hard drive (Toshiba). </p><p>Now when I was transferring files from the hardrive to the Mac, I noticed I couldn't modify files or add new folders to the hardrive itself (I could edit and use them once I moved them out though). I googled it and I found out you can't modify stuff on a hardrive if its in the NTFS format, and that its recommended to switch to a FAT32 format. </p><p></p><p>Since my new Macbook is going to be my primary device, I want to be able to read and edit the contents of my hardrive on this device; however, I still want to at least be able to READ the contents on a Windows system. </p><p>Now I understand that FAT32 is the best as it works on both systems, but I also read somewhere that FAT32 only allows you to copy files smaller than 2GB; I have large movie files that I want to be able to save onto the hardrive so I don't think FAT32 is an option.</p><p></p><p>My questions are:</p><p>-<strong>Which format allows for the external hardrive to be read and edited (write) on a Mac and at least read and copied on a Windows system?</strong></p><p>-<strong>Should I format the hardrive on my Mac or Windows? And how?</strong></p><p>-<strong>Will I lose my data on the hardrive when I format it?</strong></p><p></p><p>I appreciate any help and advice <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>p.s I'm not sure if this thread should have gone under the software category.. but yea..</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="just8food, post: 1522044, member: 304776"] Alright, so I just transferred over from Windows to a Macbook Pro. I saved all my important files onto an external 500GB hard drive (Toshiba). Now when I was transferring files from the hardrive to the Mac, I noticed I couldn't modify files or add new folders to the hardrive itself (I could edit and use them once I moved them out though). I googled it and I found out you can't modify stuff on a hardrive if its in the NTFS format, and that its recommended to switch to a FAT32 format. Since my new Macbook is going to be my primary device, I want to be able to read and edit the contents of my hardrive on this device; however, I still want to at least be able to READ the contents on a Windows system. Now I understand that FAT32 is the best as it works on both systems, but I also read somewhere that FAT32 only allows you to copy files smaller than 2GB; I have large movie files that I want to be able to save onto the hardrive so I don't think FAT32 is an option. My questions are: -[B]Which format allows for the external hardrive to be read and edited (write) on a Mac and at least read and copied on a Windows system?[/B] -[B]Should I format the hardrive on my Mac or Windows? And how?[/B] -[B]Will I lose my data on the hardrive when I format it?[/B] I appreciate any help and advice :) p.s I'm not sure if this thread should have gone under the software category.. but yea.. [/QUOTE]
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Apple Computing Products:
macOS - Notebook Hardware
Need help formatting my external hard drive
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