Which Partition Scheme for Mac/Windows compatibility?

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Which Partition Scheme for Mac/Windows compatibility?

In Apple’s “Disk Utility User Guide”, the Section “Partition schemes available in Disk Utility on Mac” is rather ambiguous as to whether “Master Boot Record” or “GUID Partition Map” is the appropriate choice for formatting a Hard Drive for use between a Mac and a PC, since the wording makes it seem that both can be used by Mac and “Some newer Microsoft Windows-based computers”

I decided to look that up and again it’s not really clear, since some either just repeat what Apple has written or they go into the pros and cons of Master Boot Record vs GUID Partition Map...

But two sources say basically that Master Boot Record is the choice for MS-DOS (FAT) or ExFAT, and Drives cannot exceed 2TB”

I haven’t formatted a Hard Drive for PC compatibility in a while, but I think it usually was Master Boot Record, but I definitely don’t recall mention of a 2TB limit.

At the moment, the drive I am formatting is 2TB, so it probably won’t be an issue, but I’m asking this in advance as I wish to use a larger capacity drive in the near future.

Thank you in advance for any information you may have on this topic.

MacBook

Posted on Dec 24, 2020 12:24 PM

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Answer 1

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theycallmemcgyver Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 24, 2020 2:55 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

Sorry, I left out the word “external” (hard drive) when I wrote that... this is so I can share large collections of files between my Windows based computers and my MacBook.

This is not for running Windows on Mac.

The question is what “Partition Scheme” do I use?... you have to chose one when you are formatting the disk.

The default seems to be set at GUID Partition Map, but Apple isn’t clear if that or the other choice, Master Boot Record is the one I need to choose... the instructions just say “choose a partition scheme”... despite the fact the instructions are for formatting an external drive for use between Mac OS and Windows.

If you click on the link “choose a partition scheme”, the linked page says:

“Disk utility supports the following schemes...

GUID Partition Map: Choose this option for all Intel-based and Apple silicon Mac computers. Some newer Microsoft Windows-based computers can also use this scheme.
Master Boot Record: Choose this option for compatibility with all Microsoft Windows-based computers.
Apple Partition Map: Choose this option for compatibility with old PowerPC-based Mac computers.”

The part about the ExFAT setting I understand, it’s the partition scheme setting I’m not clear on.

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Answer 2

Barney-15E

Level 10

117,058 points

Dec 24, 2020 12:58 PM in response to theycallmemcgyver

There was a 2TB limit for FAT32, but I think that is resolved, except on macOS. Apple doesn't care to keep up with the older file system formats that should just be dead, now. I don't think it was related to MBR, but possible.

ExFAT is likely the best choice with GUID. I think you have to go back to early versions of XP to find a Windows OS that doesn't support GUID Partition Table (GPT).

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Answer 3

HWTech

Level 9

61,148 points

Dec 24, 2020 6:01 PM in response to theycallmemcgyver

I would use GUID partition type if you are just going to be storing data on the external drive. I believe Win7 is able to understand GUID partitions so it should not be a problem unless you need to be compatible with WinXP for some reason.

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Answer 4

Dec 24, 2020 12:58 PM in response to theycallmemcgyver

What ar eyou trying to do? If your goal is to run Windows on your Mac you need to use Boot Camp Assistant to format and install Windows in a Boot Camp partition. If your goal is to format an external drive to use with both Windows and a Mac then format the drive ExFat. It is not clear what you are trying to achieve.

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Which Partition Scheme for Mac/Windows compatibility?

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