Ocean 17
Level 1 (67 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Can I use a Windows compatible external Hard drive on a Mac through reformatting?

I bought a Seagate Expansion 4 TB USB 3.0 hard drive.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017KE8OG0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UT F8&psc=1

 

But it is compatible only with Windows.

 

Can I reformat the hard drive on my MacBook Pro - or would it not even mount?

 

If yes, which formatting do I use? Mac OS Extended (Journaled)?


Thanks!



PS: I tried to post this into Mac system software, but I couldn't find it in 100+ item submenu. I must say the redesign of the forum made it much harder to use, and it's almost impossible to find posts to certain themes that were available in the old form by a simple click on a symbol. It feels as Apple wanted to have as bad an organization as Google (endless submenus in the otherwise well-working pro email apps) and to be as cryptic in its structure as Windows. Apple, please go back to the simple user interfaces that can be understood by logic. Yes, I tried to put this comment in a feedback forum, but I couldn't find any.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4), 512 Gb SSD, 16 Gb RAM

Posted on Sep 3, 2016 6:51 PM

by BobHarris,Solvedanswer
BobHarris BobHarris
Level 6 (19,257 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Just to be clean

Mac OS Extended (Journaled)?

Is yes.

 

Unless you intend to use the disk with BOTH your Mac and a Windows PC.  Then exFAT.  But exFAT will be less efficient on your Mac.

Posted on Sep 3, 2016 8:11 PM

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Ocean 17

Q: Can I use a Windows compatible external Hard drive on a Mac through reformatting?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Niel,Helpful

    Niel Niel Sep 4, 2016 10:15 AM in response to Ocean 17
    Level 10 (311,446 points)
    Sep 4, 2016 10:15 AM in response to Ocean 17

    1. Yes, you can.

    2. Yes.

     

    (144414)

  • by BobHarris,Solvedanswer

    BobHarris BobHarris Sep 3, 2016 8:11 PM in response to Ocean 17
    Level 6 (19,257 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 3, 2016 8:11 PM in response to Ocean 17

    Just to be clean

    Mac OS Extended (Journaled)?

    Is yes.

     

    Unless you intend to use the disk with BOTH your Mac and a Windows PC.  Then exFAT.  But exFAT will be less efficient on your Mac.

  • by Ocean 17,

    Ocean 17 Ocean 17 Sep 4, 2016 10:18 AM in response to BobHarris
    Level 1 (67 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 4, 2016 10:18 AM in response to BobHarris

    Thank you for your replies.

     

    For all who are also interested in getting a Windows drive over to the Mac there's one more thing to do, and best to do it first.

     

    1. Access the Drive in Disc Utility and go to "options" - change the partition table to "Guid" (the first one - it tells you next to it for what it's good)

     

    2. Now reformat or partition and use Mac OS Extended (Journaled) - the one that's being proposed by Disc Utility.