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What happens when an encrypted MacOS external hard drive is plugged into a Windows computer?

From what I gather when an unencrypted macOS hard drive is plugged into a windows computer, windows suggests reformatting, which of course deletes everything on the drive.


However what happens when an encrypted MacOS external hard drive is plugged into a Windows computer?


I am not interested in using exFAT or similar dual windows/macOS drive formats.


The question originates from using a usb hub for a windows computer when the primary MacBook is not being used with the usb hub. Hub has typical accessories to pair with monitor plug in for desktop experience from laptop.

Posted on Dec 9, 2020 1:31 PM

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Posted on Dec 9, 2020 4:34 PM

I'm 99% certain that Windows will recognize the drive as unreadable, and do whatever it normally does when a 'new' drive is attached - likely prompt the user to reformat the drive.


Encrypting the drive does not prevent Windows (or any other OS) from reformatting the drive. It just renders the data unreadable without the key.

Reformatting wipes the partition map, so the drive 'forgets' whatever volumes were on there. It doesn't care whether they were encrypted or not.

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Dec 9, 2020 4:34 PM in response to Frazzles_McNazzles

I'm 99% certain that Windows will recognize the drive as unreadable, and do whatever it normally does when a 'new' drive is attached - likely prompt the user to reformat the drive.


Encrypting the drive does not prevent Windows (or any other OS) from reformatting the drive. It just renders the data unreadable without the key.

Reformatting wipes the partition map, so the drive 'forgets' whatever volumes were on there. It doesn't care whether they were encrypted or not.

Dec 9, 2020 2:56 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

Yes I’m aware of this. That’s not what my question is.


Does windows recommend the encrypted macOS drive be reformatted? Can it even do this if the drive is encrypted?


I am not concerned with whether or not windows can read it or not. I concerned with whether or not it prompts to reformat the encrypted macOS formatted external hard drive and whether or not it can actually do this if the drive is encrypted. Do not want windows to reformat the macOS encrypted drive and lose all data when less computer apt people are using said windows computer.


Again, from what I gather when an unencrypted macOS hard drive is plugged into a windows computer, windows suggests reformatting,

Dec 9, 2020 4:40 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

I have a usb hub with all my peripherals plugged into it which I use in combination with the display output on my MacBook to give me a desktop experience without spending the money unnecessarily on a separate desktop.


This usb hub has 3 external hard drives plugged into it.


when the MacBook is not connected to this hub and external monitor a windows laptop user would like to use the setup. This would mean they would use the usb hub also to use the necessary peripherals (all considered necessary except the external HDDs). The hub is not accessible under the desk to unplug the MacOS External HDDs every time the windows laptop user wants to use the hub and display.


I don’t have the windows laptop yet, thus I can’t test this myself. But the windows laptop user is not an experienced computer user and could easily accidentally select the reformat drive prompt that windows may present. Possibly if the macOS external drive is encrypted windows cannot reformat and erase the drive. I don’t know however, and that is my question.

Dec 9, 2020 5:05 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

Again it is not realistic to disconnect the external HD's every time the windows user wants to use the monitor and usb hub peripherals as they are all tucked neatly away under the desk at floor level.


Its not really if the user is inexperienced or not, its if windows gives a formatting prompt that is a one click format hdd option or similar that can be easily accidentally selected.

What happens when an encrypted MacOS external hard drive is plugged into a Windows computer?

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