How to format an external drive to ExFAT so it can work on both Macs and PCs
Mac OS X prefers the Mac OS Extended format (HFS Plus) file system and can only read NTFS (Windows file system).
Windows prefers the NTFS file system and can not read HFS Plus file system (Mac OS X file system).
ExFAT file system, on the other hand, works on Mac OS X (requires Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or later) and Windows (requires Windows XP SP3 or later).
Warning: Reformatting your external drive to ExFAT will erase your data. Make a backup copy of your data before commencing.
How to format ExFAT on Mac OS X:
1. Plug in the external drive.
2. Open Disk Utility on your Mac by clicking Spotlight search, then type Disk Utility, and press enter.
3. Select the external drive you wish to format.
4. Select the “Erase” tab in Disk Utility.
5. Select ExFAT as the Format option, and type a name for your external drive.
6. Click “Erase”.
7. A pop-up window will open asking you to confirm. Click the “Erase” button to confirm.
8. The formatting process will then begin. The time it will take depends on the size of your external drive. Larger drives take longer time to format.
How to format ExFAT on Windows 7
1. Plug in the external drive.
2. Click on the Windows Start button and open the Computer windows.
3. Right Click on the external drive to be formatted, and select “Format”.
4. Select exFAT as the File system option, type a name for the external drive in ‘Volume label’ box, click “Start”, then Click OK to format the disk.
5. The time it will take is dependent on the size of your external drive. Larger drives take longer time to format. Once Format is completed,
click OK.
Need help?
If you have further questions, have a look at Self Help or the IT Service Centre website.
Alternatively, you can contact the IT Service Centre on 9385 1333.
CRICOS Provider Code: 00098G
ABN: 57 195 873 179
UNSW Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
Telephone (+61 02) 9385 1333
Authorised by IT & AV Manager, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, UNSW Australia
Page last updated: Friday 19 February 2016