The Mac OS X Extended volume format is optimal for Macs; the Journaled option enables the system to log and keep track of files. The MS-DOS FAT32 or ExFAT volume formats are compatible with Windows computers.
In Disk Utility on your Mac, you can format an external disk for a Windows computer.
WARNING: Formatting a disk or volume erases all the files on it. Save any files you need to another volume before formatting.
- In the Disk Utility app on your Mac, choose View > Show All Devices.
- In the sidebar, select the disk you want to format to use with Windows computers.
- Click the Erase button .
- Click the Scheme pop-up menu, then choose Master Boot Record.
- Click the Format pop-up menu, then choose one of the following:
- MS-DOS (FAT): Choose this format if the size of the disk is 32 GB or less.
- ExFAT: Choose this format if the size of the disk is over 32 GB.
- Enter a name for the volume.The maximum length for the volume name is 11 characters.
- Click Erase, then click Done.
You can also partition a disk using the Master Boot Record partition layout, which is compatible with Windows.
See alsoFile system formats available in Disk Utility on MacPartition schemes available in Disk Utility on Mac