When it comes to external drives, the file system format you use to format the drive is an important decision. The format of the drive determines what devices and operating systems can access and store files on the drive. There are a few main file system format options for external drives, and choosing the right one depends on your specific needs and use cases.
Quick Overview of Main File System Options
Here is a quick overview of the main file system format options for external drives:
- NTFS – This is the default format for Windows operating systems. It supports large individual file sizes and partitions over 2TB. NTFS is a proprietary Windows format.
- exFAT – This is supported by Windows, macOS, Linux, and other operating systems. It supports large individual file sizes and partitions over 2TB. exFAT is a good cross-platform choice.
- HFS+ – This is the default Mac format. It is fully compatible with macOS and Mac hardware. HFS+ supports permissions and journaling for improved file security and recovery. It is proprietary to Apple devices.
- APFS – This is the newer Apple file system that replaced HFS+. It includes improved encryption, file system snapshots, space sharing, and crash protection features. APFS is optimized for flash/SSD storage.
- FAT32 – This is an older file system supported by all major operating systems. However, it has a maximum individual file size of 4GB and partition size of 2TB.
- EXT4 – This is the default Linux file system. It supports large individual file and partition sizes. EXT4 is open source but primarily used for Linux systems.
Key Considerations for File System Format
With an overview of the main options, here are some key considerations when determining what file system to use for your external drive:
1. Operating System Compatibility
The first consideration is what operating systems you need to use your external drive with. If you only use Windows devices, NTFS is likely the best fit. For only Macs, HFS+ or APFS is optimal. If you need cross-compatibility between Windows, Mac, Linux, and other operating systems, exFAT is likely the most compatible option.
2. Individual File Size Needs
Consider what size files you need to store on the external drive. If you need to store files 4GB or larger, you should avoid FAT32 since it has a 4GB per file limit. NTFS, exFAT, HFS+, and APFS all support larger individual file sizes.
3. Drive Size and Partition Needs
What total size is your external drive and do you need to partition it? FAT32 has a maximum partition size of 2TB. So for drives larger than 2TB, you need NTFS, exFAT, HFS+, or APFS. The latter three also support partitions over 2TB.
4. File Permissions and Encryption
If file permissions and encryption are important, Apple’s HFS+ and APFS formats support permission control lists and built-in encryption. NTFS also supports permissions and encryption capabilities.
5. Journaling and Backup Needs
HFS+ and APFS support journaling features to improve file system recovery and data integrity. APFS offers enhanced snapshot, space sharing, and backup capabilities over HFS+. So for full compatibility with Time Machine and robust backup needs, APFS is ideal for Macs.
6. Physical Drive Type
What type of physical drive is in your external device – traditional hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD)? APFS is optimized for the benefits of flash/SSD storage. So for external SSD drives, APFS is a logical choice for Macs. For HDDs, HFS+ is still common.
Recommended File System Formats
Given the key considerations above, here are some general recommendations on which file system to use for external drives in different situations:
| Situation | Recommended File System |
|---|---|
| External drive only for Windows PCs | NTFS |
| External drive only for Macs | APFS (for SSD drive) HFS+ (for HDD) |
| Cross-platform external drive for Windows, Mac, Linux, etc. | exFAT |
| Time Machine backup drive for Mac | APFS |
| Need to share large files over 4GB | NTFS, exFAT, HFS+, or APFS |
| Partitioning required | NTFS, exFAT, HFS+, or APFS |
These cover some of the most common scenarios. But there may be other specific needs to consider as well when choosing a file system for an external drive.
How to Format an External Drive
Once you decide on the best file system for your external drive needs, formatting the drive is straightforward.
On Windows
To format an external drive on Windows:
- Connect the external drive to your Windows PC.
- Open the Disk Management utility. You can access this by right-clicking the Windows start button and selecting “Disk Management”.
- Your external drive should appear in the list of disks in the lower section. Right-click on the disk listing for your external drive and choose the “Format” option.
- In the format dialog, you can choose the desired file system format like NTFS, exFAT, or FAT32. Give the drive a label if desired and check the Quick Format box.
- Click “Start” to begin the formatting process. This will erase all data on the drive and format it with the new file system.
On Mac
To format an external drive on Mac:
- Connect the external drive to your Mac.
- Open Disk Utility (located at /Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility.app).
- Select your external drive in the left sidebar and go to the Erase tab.
- Choose your desired file system format like APFS or exFAT. Give the drive a label if desired.
- Click Erase at the bottom to format the drive.
The formatting process will complete within a few minutes typically and your drive will be ready for use with the new file system.
Compatibility Considerations
Once formatted with your chosen file system, keep in mind it may limit which devices can then access the drive:
- NTFS – Read only access on Mac by default. Requires third party software for full Mac write support.
- exFAT – Supported by all major operating systems.
- HFS+ – Mac only format. No support on Windows.
- APFS – Mac only format. No support on Windows.
- FAT32 – Compatible with all devices but has file size and partition limits.
So if you need to switch between Windows and Mac, use exFAT or FAT32 to ensure full cross device compatibility after formatting the drive.
Conclusion
When formatting an external drive, FAT32 provides the most compatibility across devices, but at the cost of file size and partition limits. exFAT removes those limits while still allowing cross-platform support. However, for single platform external drives, NTFS for Windows or APFS/HFS+ for Mac offer the best performance and features.
Considering your specific needs around operating system support, drive size, partitioning, and file types will point you towards the ideal file system choice when formatting your external drive.