Do I need to format my iPod on Windows to use it as a hard drive on a PC?

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Do I need to format my iPod on Windows to use it as a hard drive on a PC?

I use my iPod on a MacBook with my iTunes library, but now want to ALSO use it as a simple hard drive on my PC for files transfer.

In the Windows explorer, I am told that it is not formatted and I am proposed to format it, which would erase all data on it.

Do I need to format my iPod on Windows to use it as a hard drive on a PC?

(I don not have iTunes installed on that PC currently)

And if I have to format it, will all my music be gone, but can I simply then synch it again on my MacBook with my iTunes library?
Thanks a lot in advance.

iPod classic

Posted on Aug 19, 2012 2:57 PM

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Answer 1

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Bilbo_cheshire

Level 4

1,780 points

Aug 19, 2012 7:15 PM in response to Christoph296

To use the iPod Classic on both the Mac and Windows PC, you need to format it in FAT32 filesystem structure, which both OS can recognise.

Yes, formatting it in FAT32, using iTunes, will erase all music and data in your iPod, but that is no problem if you have all the music in your Mac iTunes library.

So to do this,

Install the Latest iTunes in your windows PC, run itunes and check that all is in order (you can navigate, play some sample songs in itunes.)

Connect your iPod to the Windows PC, USB 2.0 port (please dont use USB hub with iPod Classic, -my bad personal experience, freezing itunes and windows)

iTunes will pop a windows asking you to reformat it in FAT32 and Restore

Click ok. (HERE there maybe some problem, if your iPod hardisk is not in tiptop condition)

When Restore is complete, eject the iPod

Connect it to your Mac and sync iTunes library.

If you want to use the iPod in Windows as an external hd, you have to set it in Disk Mode. first then Windows will recognise it as a portable HD.

Good luck! on this big undertaking.🙂

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