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tao of zenben
tao of zenben asked in Computers & InternetHardwareAdd-ons · 1 decade ago

Can you use an external hard drive for both Macs and PCs?

I have an external hard drive and backup my PC's files in it.

My question is...can I put my Mac's files in the same external hd?

Or do I have to buy a separate one for the Mac?

Thank you!

6 Answers

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  • Jay M
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Yes. You'll have to format it as FAT32 first on the Mac using Disk Utility before you can use it for the first time.

    Source(s): That's how my drive is set up.
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Yes, you can. Its best to partition the drive though - having one partition for NTFS and one for HFS. Using the FAT32 "compromise" means you'll be limited by that ancient filesystem and not be able to store very large files.

  • hunterrose30
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    Format it as FAT32, just like the flash drives are, and it will work on both comps no prob.

  • brandonlahman
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    you cannot have an external HD that is formated for Mac and Windows at the same time.

    You need one for each. Sorry

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  • scrapstyle
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    Formatting to FAT32 is the answer.

  • Greg B
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago

    yes you can,but you can not interchange the format without a program to do so

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