Store
Home > Disk Management Questions > Which Is the Best Format for 8TB HDD for Win and Mac, Help

Which Is the Best Format for 8TB HDD for Win and Mac, Help

I like to back up my PC and Mac to an external 8TB HDD, but I don't want to split up the HDD into multiple partitions. So is there any format that is compatible with Windows and Mac at the same time?

Best Answered by

Sherly· Answered on Apr 19, 2024

So you want to get a file system type that allows you to work both on Windows and Mac, don't you?

Flat out, the simplest answer is exFat. Before we learn why exFAT is the best choice, we need to know what file system types Mac and Windows both use.

  • Windows: FAT, NTFS, exFAT
  • Mac: HFS, APFS, HFS+, FAT32, exFAT

Hence, it's clear that exFAT and FAT32 are both compatible with Mac and Windows. But why is exFAT the best choice instead of FAT32? You can learn more difference between exFAT and FAT32 as long as you click the "ExFAT VS FAT32" link.

In simple terms, exFAT (Extensible File Allocation Table)) is advanced and superior to FAT32 (File Allocation Table 32) and supports more devices and OS. It is the best solution for users who always work on both Mac and Windows. The biggest advantage of exFAT is that there is almost no limit to the partition size, while FAT32 supports files up to 4GB, and the partition size is up to 8TB.

I used to use FAT32, but now, I have formatted FAT32 to exFAT and set the best exFAT allocation unit size by using EaseUS Partition Master. This tool allows you to format your HDD to any file system type you want, such as FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, ext2/3/4, and so on.

People Also Ask

A Computer Has Multiple Hard Drives Installed, but the Second Hard Drive Does Not Show Up in Windows Explorer. What Is the Possible Problem?

A computer has multiple hard drives installed, but the second hard drive does not show up in Windows Explorer. What is the possible problem? Continue reading to find out.

Oliver

Apr 19, 2024

How to Format An Encrypted HDD, Help

If you have an encrypted hard drive and you forget the password, don't worry. This short page will give you a quick way to format the encrypted HDD easily. 

Cici

Apr 19, 2024

Why My SD Card Shows Empty But is Full

It is a common issue that an SD card is full, but no files show up. If you are wondering 'Why my SD card shows empty but is full', this page will give you the answer and guide you to resolve the problem.

Oliver

Apr 18, 2024

Is It Bad to Format Backup Drives to exFAT? Need Help

On this page, you can learn the exFAT format and the compatible format for Windows and Mac. Then, you can pick the best format for your backup drives to run on both systems.

Cici

Apr 19, 2024

Why I Cannot Extend C Drive with Unallocated Space?

Is your C drive out of storage space? Do you want to extend it but only find the Extend Volume option greyed out? Read this post, and you will find the answer to 'why I cannot extend C drive with unallocated space' and its solution.

Oliver

Apr 18, 2024

How to Transfer Files from PC to Mac Using External Hard Drive

If you plan to replace your Windows computer with a Mac, you'll need a safe way to move personal files between the two systems. In this post, we will give you an answer on how to transfer files from PC to Mac using external hard drive.

Oliver

Apr 19, 2024
Browse All Questions
Trustpilot
Company
Discover EaseUS
Reviews & Awards
Contact EaseUS
Resellers
Affiliates
Outsourcing Service
My Account
Resources
PC Data Recovery Tips
Mac Data Recovery Tips
Storage Media Recovery Tips
Data Backup Tips
Disk Partition Tips
Disk Cloning Tips
SSD Cloning Software
PC Transfer Tips
Knowledge Center
Computer Solutions
AI Navigate
Privacy
Uninstall
Refund Policy
Privacy Policy
Do Not Sell
License Agreement
Terms & Conditions
Q&A
Data Recovery Questions
Data Backup Questions
Disk Management Questions
Follow us
DMCA.com Protection Status

Copyright ©   EaseUS. All rights reserved.

English