A drive can be used on any type of computer - PC or Mac. But in order for the computer and drive to communicate with one another, the drive has to be formatted with the correct file system. This article explainsabout file systems and provides instructionto format a driveonWindows and Mac.
NewerSeagateand LaCiebrandedexternal drivescome preformatted with the exFAT file system, which allows it to be used on both Mac and Windows without reformatting the drive. Someolder drives are formatted specifically for PCs, some specifically for Macs, and some of them have special utilities allowing them to work between both without having to reformat the drive.
It’s important to choose the file system that suits your need.If you want tooptimise performance, it’s best to format the driveusing the computer’s native file system. If you need to use yourdriveon both Mac and PC then it’s best to formatexFAT.If you are not surewhich one is best for you,theFile System Format Comparisonshighlights themaindifference between file systems.
Seagateinternal drives are not preformatted and must be formatted before use. Drives that will be bootable are formatted during the process of installing the operating system (i.e., Windows ormacOS).
If you have a drive that is formatted for a different type of computer or a drive that is not preformatted, you will need to format the drive before you can use it.Also, drives that will be used for storageneedto beformatted.
WARNING!Formatting erases all data on the drive. Be sure to make a copy of any data you might need later.
Forinstructionson how to format a drive, please click onthe linkofyour computer’sOperatingSystem:
Windows | |
| Windows 11 | Click here |
| Windows 10 | |
| Windows 8 and 8.1 | |
| Windows 7 | |
Not sure what version of macOS you are using? Click here to determine your version of macOS
If you are not surewhich one is best for you,theFile System Format Comparisonshighlights themaindifference between file systems.
Mac | ||||
| Mac OS Extended (Journaled) - HFS+ | Apple File System - APFS | ExFAT | ||
| macOS 14 | Sonoma | Click here | Click here | Click here |
| macOS 13 | Ventura | |||
| macOS 12 | Monterey | |||
| macOS 11 | Big Sur | |||
| macOS 10.15 | Catalina | Click here | Click here | Click here |
| macOS 10.14 | Mojave | |||
| macOS 10.13 | High Sierra | |||
| macOS 10.12 | Sierra | Click here | APFS Not Available | Click here |
| macOS 10.11 | El Capitan | |||
| macOS 10.10 | Yosemite | Click here | APFS Not Available | Click here |
| macOS 10.9 | Mavericks | |||
| macOS 10.8 | MountainLion | |||
| macOS 10.7 | Lion | |||
| macOS 10.6 | SnowLeopard | |||
