partitioning query

[colmack]

I have a one TB portable HDD.

I recently switched from Windows to Mac - this means I have a number of Windows files that I want to keep.

I would like to partition the drive so that most of the it was one large partition (say, 800 GB) with which I could use the Mac's Time Machine for backup, and the other 200 GB was compatible with both Windows and Mac, so that I can keep a collection of movies (Mac format) which I do not require to be backed up, and also a handful of important Windows files from my old computer.

I know that exFAT format is compatible with Windows and Mac, but when a drive is used with Time Machine it has to be formatted differently, and the only way of having two partitions is to have 2x 500 GB, one for use with Time Machine and the other suited only to Mac files.

This is how I have things at present: the Time Machine partition is smaller than I want it, and the other partition (a) bigger than I want it, and (b) not compatible with Windows. Is there a way around this, preferably that does not involve buying software?

 

[Slydude]

You're almost on the right track with this. Time Machine requires a drive/partition that is formatted for HFS+. This is the same formatting the drive would natively use to store Mac files. The only issue there is that Windows cannot read that file without third party software. It's not free but less than $20.00 That way the entire drive can be HFS+.

The alternative is to attach the drive to a network device then the formatting of the drive does not matter so much. Although it is possible to have a drive with one Mac partition and one Windows partition on the same drive I wouldn't trust it with important data.

 

[colmack]

Thanks for that advice, Skydude. Looks as if I'll have to get another drive!

 

[TattooedMac]

I agree with Sly.

HHD are so cheap these days, and if you have data all on the one drive and it crashes, you are up the proverbial creek.
The link to Paragon is well worth the $20 as well, because once formatted in HTFS, you can move files larger than 4GB, where FAT32 has a ceiling of 4GB and won't allow movement of a file larger.

 

[colmack]

Thanks, TatMac.