Windows 10: Using One External USB Drive For Both Windows And Mac

I need to format an external USB drive to use in both windows and Mac.
Which of the two scenarios below would be the better format?

SCENARIO ONE
Format the drive in Mac computer to one single (partition) drive:
Format = ExFAT
Scheme = GUID Partition Map

SCENARIO TWO
Split the drive to two partitions, then format each partition to:
Partition two = Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Partition one = NTFS (for windows)
In this scenario, If I remember, I think the Mac partition needs to
be the first partition in the drive.

Thanks.

:)

 

External hard drive not recognised

Thanks for this. I've done what you suggested and been through all the steps mentioned in the article. The hard drive works fine on a Mac computer, and I've managed to copy the information on it. It must be a Surface issue so I'll try to get a chat line tomorrow.

 

help. USB drive isn't assigned a drive letter.

Any usb flash drive I plug into my computer isn't assigned a drive letter. The physical drive shows in the "safely remove hardware" but it doesnt show up in disk management. I have tried to populate the volume thru the safely remove hardware properties window and it does pop up in the list but it doesn't stay there. This isn't a format or assign a letter problem. It's more complicated then that. Maybe one of the services needed for usb drive management was disabled? Suggestions needed. btw external usb harddrives work fine.

 

WD Extends its line of MAC Compatible External Hard Drives

Broadening its storage solutions for Mac, WD today introduced two new external hard drives - the My Passport for Mac portable drive and the My Book Mac Edition external hard drive. Pre-formatted for Mac and offering a simple USB interface, these drives offer the ever-growing Mac community reliable, easy-to-use storage. WD's latest Mac-ready drives work seamlessly with Apple Time Machine or other popular Mac backup software to provide protection for consumers' valuable digital photos and media.








My Passport for Mac portable storage devices feature a sleek design in a shock-resistant enclosure and are available in capacities of 320 GB and 500 GB. The new My Book Mac Edition drives are equipped with power-saving WD hard drives with GreenPower technology, USB 2.0 interface and 1 TB of capacity.

"WD listened to the Mac community who wanted the simplicity of a USB external drive that complements the design of their Mac computer. Now our users can choose from a full range of storage solutions that are ready to use with their Mac computers right out of the box," said Jim Welsh, senior vice president and general manager of WD's branded products and consumer electronics groups. "From the sleek design of the new My Passport for Mac, to the use of the eco-friendly hard drive technology on the My Book Mac Edition, WD continues to deliver what Mac users are looking for."

My Passport for Mac portable drives feature:

• Compatibility with Apple Time Machine;
• A shock-resistant enclosure designed to guard valuable data from the bumps and jars of everyday life;
• USB-bus powered, which eliminates the need for an external power adapter;
• Mac-ready out of the box, formatted HFS+ Journaled;
• 3-year limited warranty;
• Sleek and stylish design that complements other Mac products.

The new My Book Mac Edition external hard drives feature:

• A sleek, elegant matte-black finish that complements other Mac products;
• Smart, eco-friendly design that utilizes WD hard drives with Green Power technology and energy efficient power saving feature that turns on and off with user's computer;
• Designed without a fan to run quietly;
• Fully recyclable product packaging;
• Shock-resistant enclosure designed to provide maximum shock protection to guard valuable data;
• Mac-ready out of the box, the drive is formatted HFS+ Journaled;
• Easy, plug-and-play set up;
• 1 year limited warranty.

Demonstrations of My Book Mac Edition drives may be viewed at Macworld Expo Booth No. 211 in San Francisco from Jan. 6-9, 2009.


Availability and Pricing
My Passport for Mac portable hard drives and My Book Mac Edition 1 TB external hard drive are available now at select retail stores, online retailers and in the United States directly from WD at www.shopwd.com. MSRP for My Passport for Mac with 320 GB is $129.99 USD and $179.99 for 500 GB. MSRP for My Book Mac Edition 1 TB hard drive is $179.99 USD.

Source: WesternDigital