May 06,2020 • Filed to: Mac Recovery • Proven solutions
Paragon NTFS for Mac 15 ($20) is a file system driver that allows Mac OS X Yosemite and later (incuding macOS Sierra) to read and write to hard drives, solid-state storage devices, and USB thumb. Windows' default NTFS is read-only on OS X, not read-and-write, and Windows computers can't even read Mac-formatted HFS+ drives. FAT32 works for both OSes, but has a 4GB size limit per file, so it. Hasleo NTFS for Mac is an application that resides in the Mac's status bar which helps you quickly and easily mount or unmount the NTFS drives from Mac's status bar. By default, Hasleo NTFS for Mac only lists NTFS drives. You can uncheck the 'Only detect NTFS volumes' option to list HFS+, APFS, FAT, exFAT formatted drives, after that you can. How to format FAT32 drive on Mac Step 1. Now here is how to format your FAT32 external drive on Mac. Go finder window on you Mac then click on Applications the image right. From there, you need to open disk utility. Therefore, scroll down until you see a folder Utilities Double click on it.
'Is it possible to format FAT32 and NTFS drives on Mac by myself?' A user asked us about this question.
Certainly you can format the drives yourself by directly setting in the 'Application' on Mac. Many people think it is hard to format the windows drive on Macintosh. No worry, actually it is not impossible to realize it no matter you use an external or internal drive of your windows system. We here will show you the full guides on how to format FAT32 and NTFS drives on Mac as an example.
Part 1: Format FAT32 Drive on Mac
First, let us look on how to format FAT32 drive on Mac (macOS Sierra). You could be wondering what FAT32 is. It is a file system in Windows 95, 98, and windows Millennium Edition.
One major advantage about this file system is that nearly all the operating systems can read and write from it. On the contrary, it just accommodates files less than 4GB. So if you have a drive that you want to format ensure it is smaller size. Nevertheless, if you have a drive that is more than 4GB, you can download software known as Swissknife. After installing it, it will be much easier to format large files.
How to format FAT32 drive on Mac
Step 1. Now here is how to format your FAT32 external drive on Mac. Go finder window on you Mac then click on Applications the image right.
Step 2. From there, you need to open disk utility. Therefore, scroll down until you see a folder Utilities Double click on it.
Step 3. What you have to do is scroll down through the icons until you find an icon labelled Disk Utility again double click on it.
Step 4. When it opens at the centre, it will command you to select a disk, volume, image that you want to format.
Step 5. From there, you need to open disk utility. Therefore, scroll down until you see a folder Utilities Double click on it.
Step 6. Move the cursor to the top left and choose the disk you want to format. To achieve this you have to double click on your external drive and click the Erase icon, which is at the top of your Mac screen. After doing so, a command dialog box will be displayed that give you options of formatting your drive.
Fat32 Or Ntfs For Mac
Step 7. Your problem is almost getting a solution if you still keeping track to these steps. Next, go to Format at the centre of the screen and select MS-DOS (Fat) file format system that allows compatibility with your windows drive.
Below that, you will see Name this allows you to change the name of your external drive if you wish to. From there, click Erase at the bottom of the screen. Immediately you will get a warning but go ahead and click, Erase.
When you here just relax and wait until the process is over before you remove the drive. When reformatting process is over your drive will beFAT32 and you can now use it.
Mac Read Ntfs
Part 2: Format NTFS Drive on Mac
The second task is how to format NTFS drive on Mac. NTFS is built for windows operating system therefore it is not supported by Mac. For this case, it is advisable to install programs called NTFS 3G, which works in, handy with MacFuse. Both of these are first installed in the computer. It is easier and faster to install despite having using some cash to purchase these NTFS apps such as Tuxera or Paragon NTFS. When both are installed to the PC, they will enable the user to read and write on the drive that is after following these steps.
How to format NTFS drive on Mac
Step 1. Follow the similar procedure that is used in formatting the FAT32 above. Go to finder window in your Mac, and then click on Applications at the left hand side of your screen.
Step 2. Then double click on Utilities icon, which will appear at the screen along other applications you have installed in your computer.
Next, click on Disk Utility. As the NTFS 3G is free program most users have noted bugs despite of its success. Since you had inserted your external drive, hence it will pop up at the top right of your screen. Select that drive you want to format by first choosing the NTFS 3G format that will be displayed. You can also opt to rename your drive if you wish. Once again at the bottom of your screen to the right you will see Erase option. Click it. A warning will be displayed to you that require you simply click Erase .Be patient as the drive is formatted when it is done you are good to go. You can now read and copy paste items on your drive. Another alternative to Tuxera is Paragon NTFS. This program gives a user a room for modification and deletion of items on windows NTFS. As you have seen the NTFS formatted drives should not worry since you have a way out.
You may have encountered a case where you insert an external drive in your Mac and you cannot copy items on your Mac but you can read them. It is because your drive is using the NTFS windows system. Therefore, this leads to our third point of discussion on how to format any drive on your Mac. Disk utility is the vital application in Apple product. It makes the Mac world to be easy and interesting to use as it removes the obstacles between NTFS and HFS+. As usual, insert the drive let us say the hard disk or USB drive.
Step 3. In the finder window click Applications, go to Utilities, scroll down the screen and double click on Disk Utility. Click on the drive that you want to format. At the centre, you click on the icon Erase. A dialog box will be seen at the bottom of it with a round four commands. Select an option in which you want to format your drive. For instance, if you select an option MS DOS FAT, it will well suit with windows as well as Mac. On the other hand, if you choose MAC OS Extended (Journaled) your drive will only harmonize with Mac.
Anyway, that is not the case since everyone has his or her own preferences. Whichever option you want to choose you will still format your drive to suit your desires. From there, you click Erase and upon completion of that process, your drive will be formatted successfully.
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Let's Get Technical
Windows-supported operating systems rely on one of two different types of file systems: File Allocation Table (FAT) or New Technology File System (NTFS).
While both file systems were created by Microsoft, each has different benefits and disadvantages related to compatibility, security, and flexibility.
In this article, we will break down what a FAT file system is, what an NTFS file system is and what the pros and cons are for each system.
What Is FAT?
Microsoft created the File Allocation Table file system in 1977 and is the simplest file system supported by Windows NT. It is the older of the two file systems and therefore isn’t as efficient or advanced. However, it does offer more compatibility with other operating systems and removable storage devices.
The FAT is used to describe the allocation status of the clusters (the basic units of logical storage on a hard drive) in a file system, as well as the link relationship between each. It acts as a Table of Contents for the operating system, indicating where directories and files are stored on the disk.
A FAT is often most used in removable storage devices, such as digital cameras, Smart TVs and other portable devices.
The file allocation table is a critical part of the FAT file system. If the FAT is damaged or lost, the data on the hard disk becomes unreadable.
There are several limitations to using a FAT32 file system:
FAT32 only supports files of up to 4GB in size and volumes of up to 2TB in size
FAT32 isn’t a journaling file system, which means corruption can happen more easily
FAT32 doesn’t support file permissions
What Is NTFS?
Microsoft created the New Technology File System in 1993, and it is now the most widely used file system in Windows.
It was introduced as a replacement for the FAT file system, designed to improve upon FAT by increasing performance, reliability and disk space.
NTFS supports:
Very large files
Different file permissions and encryption
Automatically restores consistency by using log file and checkpoint information
File compression when running out of disk space
Establishing disk quotas, limiting space users can use
FAT vs. NTFS
FAT is the more simple file system of the two, but NTFS offers different enhancements and offers increased security. Choosing the right operating system depends on your needs.
Fault Tolerance: NTFS automatically repairs files/folders in the case of power failures or errors. FAT32 maintains two different copies of the FAT in the case of damage.
Security: FAT32 only offers shared permissions, while NTFS allows you to set specific permissions to local files/folders.
Compression: FAT32 does not offer any compression option. NTFS does allow for individual compression of files and folders so you don’t slow down the system.
Compatibility: NTFS is compatible with operating systems back to Windows XP. For Mac OS users, however, NTFS systems can only be read by Mac, while FAT32 drives can be both read and written to by the Mac OS.
The biggest disadvantage of using the NTFS file system is compatibility:
Many removable devices, such as Android smartphones don’t support NTFS
While Mac OS X can read support for NTFS drives, but it can’t write to NTFS drives without third-party software
Some media devices, including Smart TVs, media players, and printers, don’t support NTFS
NTFS file systems are only compatible with Windows 2000 and later versions of Windows
When it comes to removable devices, it’s safer to use FAT32 so they can be used with almost any device.
There is no clear winner when it comes to FAT vs. NTFS. Choosing the right file system depends on your individual needs and uses.