Which File Format For Mac And Windows

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NTFS is the default file system for Windows operating system and HFS for Mac operating system. If you want to make your drive compatible with Mac and Windows, you need to format it with a common file system for Mac and Windows. FAT32 and exFAT can be compatible with Mac and Windows and you can choose one after realizing their respective merits and defects based on your demands. ExFAT: generally compatible with Mac and Windows. ExFAT is not a journaled file system which means it can be more susceptible to data corruption when errors.

Mac OS and Mac OS X use different charactersfrom Windows to indicate the end of each line in a plain text orRich Text Format (RTF) file. Windows places both a linefeed and a carriage return character at the end of each line, but MacOS uses only a carriage return character, and Mac OS X sometimes usescarriage returns and sometimes uses line feeds (but usually not both).Some Windows applications need to see line feed characters at the endsof lines, and may treat Mac-format files as giant single lines with anodd graphic character inserted where ends of lines should be. SomeMac OS and Mac OS X applications won't recognize the line feeds addedin Windows and will also display a box-like character at the start orend of each line after the first.

Note: This does not apply to files created usingapplications such as Word or WordPerfect; these applications savefiles in their own format which is designed to be cross-platform.

The simplest way to transfer the contents of a plain text or RTF fileis to copy and paste the contents from the file into an email message.

When you transfer a text file between Mac OS or Mac OS X and Windowswith an FTP or SFTP client, the program canconvert the end-of-line characters. Often they will do thisautomatically, but sometimes you have to change some settings. Forinformation about changing these settings, see the instructions below:

Transmit

When using Transmit to move a text file between Windows andMac OS or Mac OS X, be sure the file is transferred inASCII mode. This will ensure that the document istransformed into a text format appropriate for the host. Normally,Transmit will automatically choose the mode in which to transfer afile; to force it to transfer files as text, from the Filemenu, select ASCII Mode.

Fetch

When using Fetch to move a text file between Mac OS or MacOS X and Windows, be sure that the file is transferred while Fetch isin Text mode. This will ensure that the document is transformed intoa text format appropriate for the host. In Fetch 4, once you've made aconnection to the Windows computer, next to 'Mode:', selectText. In Fetch 3, once you've made a connection to theWindows computer, click the Text radio button.

MacSFTP

When using MacSFTP to move a text file between Mac OS or Mac OS X andWindows, be sure that you have set the program to convert text files.To do this, from the MacSFTP menu (Mac OS X) or Editmenu (Mac OS 9), select Preferences... In thepreferences window, click the File-Transfer tab, then checkthe box next to Translate text files linefeeds. Click theSave button, and then MacSFTP will convert transferred textfiles.

Hummingbird FTP

When using Hummingbird to move a text file between Windows and Mac OSor Mac OS X, make sure the file is being transferred inASCII format. In Hummingbird, the default format is AutoTransfer. To change the format to ensure that the file is beingtransferred in ASCII, from the Options menu, choose ASCIITransfer.

SSH Secure File Transfer

When using SSH Secure File Transfer to move a text filebetween Windows and Mac OS or Mac OS X, make sure the file is beingtransferred in ASCII format. In SSH, the default format isAuto Transfer. To change the format to ensure that the file is beingtransferred in ASCII, go to the Edit menu, then selectSettings. On the left side of the window, click the+ (plus sign) next to Global Settings to expandit. In the list that opens, click the + (plus sign) next toFile Transfer to expand it. Select Mode, then, onthe right, select ASCII.

Command line FTP

When using a command line FTP program to move a text file betweenoperating systems, be sure the file is transferred in ASCII format.This will ensure that the document is transformed into a text formatappropriate for the host. Denon dn hc4500 drivers for mac. At the FTP prompt, before beginning atransfer, enter the command:

There are many reasons why you may want to format an external HDD or small flash drive. For instance:

  • You brought a new unformatted hard drive
  • If the drive is not properly formatted, it won’t work
  • You want to use your external hard drive in both MAC, PC and Linux (use FAT32)
  • Before you sell your SDcard or Pendrive, you should format it to erase its data
  • Your camera’s SD card (FAT32) can only hold a file up to 4GB file. To get larger file size format it to exFAT.

Warming: Formating a drive, also erase its data. Although you can still get it back, but it’s much harder after formatting. So if you can’t afford losing you data, take backup.

Which Format to choose?

Choosing a right file system is a bit tricky, so here are some pros and cons of all file system.

NTFS: This is windows propriety file system. Most external drives come preformatted in NTFS so that they can be used easily with Windows. However, NTFS drives are read only in MAC, but you can get write access by using software like NTFS-3g. It also works in Linux. And to support NTFS on Android use Stick mount or Paragon NTFS, HFS and exFAT.

HFS+: This MAC propriety file system and is used in iOS and MAC. If you format your external hard drive to HFS, you can use it on MAC and Linux (by removing journaling). However, to use it on Windows you can HFS explorer (read only).

ext4: This is a default file system for linux OS (including Raspberry Pi). To read an ext4 drive on Windows, you can Ext2Read and OSXfuse for MAC. However, I have not really use this format much, so we just skip it.

FAT32: This oldest file system and work with all OS i.e. Windows, MAC, Linux, Android, even TV, and PS3 etc. This is why it’s used in all small flash drive. Although it lacks all modern features and comes with 4 GB limit for single file size.

exFAT: is the extended version of exFAT. It works fine with Windows and MAC (all the modern version). For Android, you can use Stick mount app (root needed). However being a windows propriety file system, it does not play well in open source environment. But unlike FAT32, it does not have 4GB limit for single file size. Thus making it ideal for SDcards of the high-end camera.

How to Format an External Hard drive or Pen drive

Now that we know the good and bad about every file system, let see how to format a drive in Windows, MAC, and Linux.

Windows

Formatting a drive on Windows is quite simple. Plug in your external HDD to the USB port of your computer> then go to my computer > find your external drive > right-click it > and select format.

A new window will open, select the desired file system, keep the allocation unit size to default and check mark quick format (or it will take more time). Once done hit the format button and that’s it. Within seconds, you will have your drive in the new format.

Note: While formatting a pen drive you will see FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS as the available file system. However for external HDD you won’t see the FAT32 (windows don’t suggest fat32 for bigger drives) However to get other format option you can use third-party software.

MAC

Start by connecting your external HDD to MAC’s USB port. Under the finder men, go to Go > utilities > Disk Utility or type disk utility in the spotlight and hit enter.

Once under disk utility. Select your external HDD on the left side and then select partition option.

Older versions of Mac OS X and VLC media playerWe provide older releases for users who wish to deploy our software on legacy releases of Mac OS X. You can find recommendations for the respective operating system version below. Note that support ended for all releases listed below and hence they won't receive any further updates.If you need help in finding the correct package matching your Mac's processor architecture, please see. How to get vcds for free on mac. Please use version 2.0.10 linked below.

Now in the Partition area, click under Partition Layout and select 1 Partition. Then, click on Options. A new window will open, here select Master Boot Record and then click Ok.

Now in the right side of windows, give a name to your drive, from the drop-down select desired file system format. Make sure the size is set to an entire volume of your external drive. And once done, click on Apply.

Note: Here you will also see an option to format a large hard drive to FAT32 which is not available in Windows.

See this animated gif (Imgur)

Linux

Unlike windows and MAC, Linux does not a have built-in partition tool. So, you will have ti install a GUI tool called GParted and then plug in your external drive in the computer.

Open your terminal and type in the following command to install GParterd.

sudo apt-get install gparted

Once installed, type the following command to launch the program.

sudo gparted

A new window will open. Click on the top right side, select the volume you want to format.

Once you see the volume you want to format, right click on the block and select format > choose the file system you want > and click OK to confirm.

Note: Since, I am running Linux in a virtual machine, in final step my Format to option is not highlighted, But in your case, you will be able to click it and select the file system you to format in. To see the final step, I suggest you check out this howtogeek article.

Android

Say you don’t have any computer with you, now can you still format your external HDD? Well, if you have an Android (ROOT) then yes, you can still format your drive to popular formats like NTFS and HFS.

To do this, install Paragon exFAT, NTFS & HFS+ from Play store. The main function of this application is to mount NTFS or HFS formatted HDD on Android, but there is another useful option hidden under settings — i.e. formatting a drive.

Once installed, open the app, mount your drive and then go to the settings, There select the new file system for your drive, give it a name and hit format.