Using an external hard drive is a convenient way to store files such as documents, photos, videos, and music. External hard drives also provide a simple way to back up important data from your computer. Mac external hard drives are formatted specifically for Mac computers, but you can use a Mac hard drive on Windows PC with a little work.
Quick Answers
Here are quick answers to common questions about using a Mac external hard drive on a PC:
- Yes, you can use a Mac external hard drive on a Windows PC but you will need to reformat it first.
- Mac hard drives use the HFS+ file system which is not compatible with Windows PCs.
- To use a Mac drive on Windows, you need to reformat it to a Windows-compatible file system like FAT32 or exFAT.
- Reformatting will erase all data on the external hard drive so you should back up any important files first.
- After formatting the drive for Windows, you can use it like any other external hard drive for file storage and backups.
Mac File System Formats
One of the main hurdles to using a Mac hard drive on Windows is the difference in file system formats. Windows uses NTFS while Mac predominately uses HFS+ and APFS.
HFS+ (Hierarchical File System+) is an older file system that has been used on Macs for over 30 years. It uses a hierarchical structure to store files on a drive. HFS+ is compatible with older versions of macOS.
APFS (Apple File System) is a newer file system introduced in 2017. It is optimized for solid state drives and uses a hierarchical structure like HFS+. APFS offers strong encryption and better file management. It is used on newer Macs running macOS 10.13 or higher.
Both HFS+ and APFS are formatted specifically for macOS and are read-only on Windows machines. To write files to HFS+ or APFS drives on Windows, you need to use special software.
Options for Using Mac Drive on Windows PC
Here are your main options for using an external hard drive formatted for Mac on a Windows PC:
1. Reformat Drive for Windows
The simplest option is to reformat the external hard drive to a Windows-compatible file system like FAT32 or exFAT. This will erase all data on the drive but then allow it to be used on Windows like any other external drive.
2. Use Third-Party Software
Specialty third-party software like HFSExplorer and Paragon HFS+ for Windows allow Windows to access data on HFS+ drives in read-only mode. However, you cannot write data to the drive. This maintains compatibility with Mac.
3. Enable Mac File Sharing
You can enable File Sharing on your Mac. Then over a network connection, your Windows PC can access files on the Mac external drive. This maintains the HFS+ format while allowing Windows access.
Step-by-Step Guide to Format Drive for Windows PC
If you need to use your Mac drive for file storage and backups on your Windows PC, reformatting is recommended. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Connect the external hard drive to your Windows PC using the USB cable.
- Open Windows File Explorer and find the external drive. Make note of the drive letter assigned to it.
- Go to the Control Panel and open Disk Management. Find the external drive in the list.
- Right-click on the volume and select Format… to reformat it.
- Choose exFAT or FAT32 as the file system.
- Give the drive a name and click OK to reformat it.
- The drive will now be compatible with Windows PCs.
Keep in mind reformatting permanently erases all content on the drive so be sure to back up your data first. After reformatting, you can use the drive just like any other external hard drive with your Windows PC.
Formatting Considerations
When reformatting your Mac external hard drive, you have two main file system choices – exFAT and FAT32. Here is an overview:
exFAT
- Compatible with both Mac and Windows
- No file size limits
- Ideal for external drives with large files like videos
- Supports files over 4GB
- Faster at writing files than FAT32
FAT32
- Compatible with Mac and Windows
- Outdated but very compatible file system
- Maximum 4GB file size limit
- Slower writing files than exFAT
In most cases, exFAT is the better choice for an external hard drive. It has no file size limits, works with Mac and Windows, and allows faster write speeds.
Tips for Using Formatted Drive on Both Mac and PC
If you want to be able to switch your external hard drive between Mac and Windows PCs frequently, keep these tips in mind:
- Use exFAT format as it maximizes compatibility.
- Don’t disconnect the drive while files are still being written.
- Eject the drive properly before unplugging.
- Plug directly into a USB port, don’t use a hub.
- Always use the “safely remove” function in Windows before disconnecting.
- On Mac, eject drive from the Finder before disconnecting.
- Avoid fragmentation – don’t fill up or delete files in rapid succession.
Following these tips will help avoid any file corruption or damage when swapping your drive between Mac and Windows systems.
Potential Loss of Data
The biggest risk when reformatting or using your drive on both systems is potential data loss or file corruption. To minimize this risk:
- Always eject/safely remove drive before unplugging.
- Don’t unplug during file transfers.
- Avoid fragmentation by organizing files.
- Use Windows chkdsk and Mac First Aid to check for errors.
- Make frequent backups of important files.
Checking your drive health regularly and having backups ensures you can recover from any lost or damaged files when sharing an external drive between Mac and Windows.
Tips for Backing Up Drive
Before reformatting your Mac drive for Windows, be sure to properly back up all of your files. Here are some backup tips:
- Copy files to another external drive or cloud storage.
- Use Time Machine on Mac for easy whole-drive backups.
- Clone the entire drive using disk utility software.
- Manually drag and drop files to another drive.
- Create a system image backup via Windows Backup.
For full backups, cloning the drive or Time Machine are ideal. For quick file backups, dragging and dropping to another drive or cloud is easiest.
Using MacDrive Software
An alternative solution for using Mac drives on Windows is software like MacDrive. Benefits include:
- No reformatting required
- Works with HFS+, APFS, FAT, exFAT
- Read and write to Mac disks on Windows
- No need to reformat the drive
- Can access Mac-specific file types like GarageBand and iWork files
The drawbacks are that MacDrive isn’t free and may impact performance when writing files. But it does provide a good option if you need to use the Mac drive on Windows while preserving the original format.
Solutions for Read-Only Mac Drives
If you don’t want to reformat your Mac’s HFS+ or APFS drive, Windows will only be able to read files in read-only mode. Here are some solutions:
- Use MacDrive to get full read/write access without reformatting.
- For basic access, use FAT32 as a transfer format between Mac and Windows.
- Enable File Sharing on your Mac so Windows can access files over the network.
- Connect drive to Mac when you need to write files.
- For temporary writing, use Paragon HFS+ which adds write access.
While a bit inconvenient, these solutions do allow you to access Mac drive contents on a Windows machine without reformatting or permanent changes.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you’re having issues using your Mac external drive with Windows, try these troubleshooting tips:
- Check drive format – Reformat to a Windows file system like exFAT if needed.
- Try a different USB port or cable.
- Update motherboard chipset/USB drivers.
- Restart your PC and external drive.
- Scan for errors using First Aid on Mac or chkdsk on Windows.
- Ensure no other apps are accessing the drive when transferring data.
If reformatting, restarting, changing cables, or scanning for errors doesn’t help, the drive hardware itself may be failing. Contact the manufacturer for support or replacement options.
FAQs
Is it bad to keep reformatting an external hard drive?
Constantly reformatting an external drive can shorten its lifespan. Each format erases data, requiring low-level processes that stress the drive platters and electronics over time. Minimize reformatting when possible.
Can Windows 10 read Mac-formatted USB drives?
No, not directly. Windows cannot natively read Mac-formatted HFS+ or APFS drives. You need to reformat them as FAT32 or exFAT for Windows compatibility.
What’s the best format for USB drives?
For maximum compatibility between Mac and Windows, use exFAT format on removable USB drives. exFAT supports large file sizes, has good performance, and works on both operating systems.
Can I format external hard drive for both Mac and PC?
Yes, formatting with exFAT allows a drive to be used on both Windows and Mac. Just reformat to exFAT before switching between different operating systems.
What is the most compatible hard drive format?
FAT32 is the most compatible hard drive format for use across different operating systems. But it limits files sizes to 4GB, so exFAT is generally preferable for external drives.