This article shows you how to change the file system format of a USB external hard drive using a Windows or Mac system. The process of formatting a memory drive allows you to change its file system format to make it compatible with the operating system of the memory drive. system in use or to correct all software problems related to corrupt files or bad sectors (remember that the formatting process cannot solve any hardware problems related to the drive). However, you need to be very careful because formatting a memory drive deletes all files stored on it.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Windows systems
Step 1. Connect the external hard drive to the computer
Use the supplied USB data cable by connecting one end to one of the free USB ports on your computer (which have a thin rectangular shape) and the other to the communication port on the device.
If you are using a desktop system, the USB ports are usually located on the front or back of the case
Step 2. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. Alternatively, you can press the ⊞ Win key on your keyboard.
Step 3. Open a "File Explorer" window by clicking the icon
It features a stylized folder and is located in the lower left part of the "Start" menu.
Step 4. Select the entry This PC
It is located in the left part of the "File Explorer" window.
Step 5. Select the name of the external memory drive
It is listed within the "Devices and Drives" section in the middle of the main pane of the "File Explorer" window. This will highlight its icon.
Step 6. Go to the Manage tab
It is located in the upper left of the "File Explorer" window.
Step 7. Press the Format button
It features an external memory drive icon with a red circular arrow. It is located on the left side of the "Manage" tab. The window for formatting the selected drive will be displayed.
Step 8. Click the "File System" drop-down menu
It is located within the section of the same name. This will give you the option to select one of the following options:
- NTFS - is the file system format compatible only with Windows devices;
- FAT32 - it is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems, but has a limit to the amount of memory that can be managed equal to 32 GB and a limit to the maximum file size of 4 GB;
- exFAT (recommended) - this is the file system suitable for all memory units that will be used on devices of different nature (Mac, Windows computer, console, etc.). It is similar to the FAT32 file system, but has no usage limit.
Step 9. Choose the desired format
Select the name of the file system you want to use.
If you have already formatted your hard drive before, select the check button Quick format.
Step 10. Press the Start buttons successively And OK.
This will start the formatting process.
The selected memory drive will be formatted and all the data it contains will be erased
Step 11. Press the OK button when prompted
The hard drive will be formatted using the chosen file system format.
Method 2 of 2: Mac
Step 1. Connect the external hard drive to the computer
Use the supplied USB data cable by connecting one end to one of the free USB ports on your computer (which have a thin rectangular shape) and the other to the communication port on the device.
- If you're using an iMac, the USB ports can be located along one side of the keyboard or at the back of the monitor.
- Some Macs don't have USB ports, in which case you'll need to purchase a dedicated USB-C to USB adapter.
Step 2. Open a Finder window
It features a blue stylized face icon located inside the Mac Dock.
Alternatively, you can simply click on an empty spot on the desktop
Step 3. Enter the Go menu
It is located at the top left of the screen.
Step 4. Choose the Utility option
It is one of the last items, starting from the top, of the "Go" menu.
Step 5. Double click on the Disk Utility icon
It is located in the central part of the "Utility" window.
Step 6. Select the USB hard drive name
It is located on the left side of the "Disk Utility" window.
Step 7. Go to the Initialize tab
It is located at the top of the "Disk Utility" window.
Step 8. Select the "Format" drop-down menu
It is located in the center of the main pane of the "Initialize" tab. The options you will have available are the following:
- Mac OS Extended (journaled) - it is the default file system format for Mac systems and is compatible only with the latter;
- Mac OS Extended (journaled, encrypted) - it is the encrypted version of the standard Mac file system;
- Mac OS Extended (case sensitive, journaled) - this is the default file system format for Macs except it is case-sensitive. For example, the files "file.txt" and "File.txt", despite having the same name, will be treated as different entities.
- Mac OS Extended (case sensitive, journaled, encrypted) - is the union of the three file systems just described;
- MS-DOS (FAT) - it is a file system format compatible with both Windows and Mac systems, but with the limitation of being able to manage files with a maximum size of 4 GB;
- exFAT (recommended) - is a file system format compatible with both Windows and Mac systems and has no usage limit.
Step 9. Choose the desired format
Select the name of the file system you want to use.
Step 10. Press the Initialize button, then press the button again Initialize when prompted.
In this way the system will format and initialize the selected hard disk. At the end of the procedure the memory unit indicated will be as new and ready for use.
Advice
When formatting an external memory drive and then connecting it to a video game console you need to use the "FAT32" or "exFAT" file systems which are the best in these situations
Warnings
- Formatting a memory drive does not physically destroy the information inside, but prepares the device so that it can accommodate new files. If you need to physically delete the information on a hard drive, you must overwrite it, otherwise it will be recoverable using any software created for this purpose.
- The formatting procedure of a memory unit permanently deletes all the data contained within it. For this reason, before proceeding, it is a good idea to back up all the files and information you want to keep.
