Reading PC-formatted hard drives using your Mac is easy enough. Just plug in the drive, then access the files you need to use. But writing to that drive? Well, that's a little more complicated. This is due to the fact that NTFS, the file system utilized by Windows PCs, has limited support on Mac. While you can read files from these drives just fine, if you need to write to a PC-formatted hard drive, you'll need some third-party software to get the job done.

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Here are the tools you can use to work with NTFS-formatted drives on your Mac.

Sometimes, your drive is formatted with the ext4 file system of Linux, NTFS file system, HFS Plus file system, or FAT32 file system which is not recognized by your Windows. Reformatting of the drive can resolve this issue. For this, right-click on the partition, select format, and then select the file system. Jun 22, 2018  This is due to the fact that NTFS, the file system utilized by Windows PCs, has limited support on Mac. While you can read files from these drives just fine, if you need to write to a PC-formatted hard drive, you'll need some third-party software to get the job done. Here are the tools you can use to work with NTFS-formatted drives on your Mac. From then on, that drive should work fantastically between Mac and Windows machines. It won't work with Linux unless you install Linux's exFAT drivers, but for most people, exFAT is just about. Some Unix applications won't recognize the carriage returns added by Mac OS, and will display a file as a single line, interspersed with Ctrl-m characters. This appears on the screen as ^M. Similarly, some Mac OS applications need to see carriage return characters at the ends of lines, and may treat Unix-format files as one long line. According to a Lifehacker how-to, it is possible to dual-boot an Intel-based Mac with OSX and GNU-Linux, but you'll need to shrink your HFS partition and create an EXT3/4 partition and a swap partition in that space (instead of installing in/on an HFS partition).The following is verbatim from that How-To. Boot your Mac into OS X. If you're lucky, this may be one of the last times you have to. Fortunately, there are some Mac hard drive format software or smart disk formatting applications can help you securely and easily format, reformat, or erase hard drive under Mac OS. Here are two outstanding Mac hard drive format software tools you can rely on. NO.1 Mac Hard Drive Format Tool – AweEraser for Mac.

Microsoft NTFS for Mac

What many consider to be the go-to for writing to NTFS drives on a Mac, Microsoft NTFS comes from developer Paragon Software. It gives you complete control over how your Mac interacts with NTFS-formatted drives, letting you edit, copy, and delete files from them as though your machine had native support. The app also lets you choose how NTFS drives mount when attached to your Mac. You can choose to mount in read-only mode if you don't want to accidentally modify files but you still need access to them, or you can even choose not to mount automatically.

Microsoft NTFS for Mac is available directly from Paragon Software for $19.95 after a 10-day free trial.

Tuxera NTFS for Mac

Jul 22, 2019  In the Format list box select ExFAT, enter a Volume Label if you want, then click Erase. Now you’ll be able to save and copy files to your thumb drive on both Windows and OS X.

Like Microsoft NTFS, Tuxera's app lets you edit, copy, and delete files on NTFS drive on your Mac. Tuxera NTFS uses smart caching technology to speed up transfers, maintaining a sustained speed as files are moved between your external drive and your Mac. It also features failsafe technology designed to protect against unexpected power loss or an unexpected unplugging of your drive, both of which could cause data loss or even damage the drive. Tuxera also includes support for NTFS extended attributes and works with virtualization software like Parallels and VMware Fusion.

Tuxera NTFS is available from Tuxera for $31 after a 15-day free trial.

Other tools

While Paragon and Tuxera provide paid tools that integrate themselves with your Mac and do all of the necessary setup during the installation process, there are free tools that you can install, but they take some work. Fuse for macOS, for instance, requires that you use the Terminal. You'll also need to install NTFS-3G, which allows you to manually mount and write to NTFS drives. The problem is that installing NTFS-3G is a major security risk by the project's own admission, as the mount tool runs with root permissions, leaving your system exposed to possible attack. This method can't really be recommended, but it is possible.

Questions?

If you've got any questions about working with NTFS drives on your Mac, let us know in the comments.

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Apple File System (APFS) is a new file system for macOS, iOS, and Apple devices. If you work on a Windows-based computer and want to read and write files on APFS-formatted HDD, SSD or flash drive, you need APFS for Windows by Paragon Software.

• New! Supports APFS volumes created in macOS 10.15 Catalina
• New! Detects volumes encrypted by FileVault

The license installs on 3 PCs so you can boost your home setup or make a nice gift to family and friends.

Stable Operation

Fail-safe operability across compatible hardware and software systems for both general-purpose and specialized applications

Data Safety

Protection of data integrity and prevention of accidental data corruption and possible loss

Guaranteed Performance

Steady throughput and balanced goodput with effective flow control, reduced overheads, and congestion avoidance

Mac Software To Recognize Linux Format Windows 10

Efficient Use

Thrifty usage of processor, memory, and disk resources

Native look and feel

How it Works

Install

Download and install APFS for Windows by Paragon Software

Use

Your drive will show up in Explorer

• Useful tray
• You can view, edit and copy files to another volume

Features

Frequently Asked Questions

Linux Format New Disk

Resources

Linux Disk Formats