Formatting a Drive for Use in Windows and macOS Computers

Issue/Question

Problems with new harddrive

Can't write files to external harddrive on work computer

Environment

• macOS
• Windows 10

Cause

Drive needs to be formatted as exFAT to be usable on both operating systems

Resolution

1. Plug the drive into the macOS computer
2. Click the magnifying glass in the upper right corner of the screen
3. Type Disk Utility
4. Click Disk Utility
5. Click the next to View
6. Click Show All Devices
7. Click the drive in the left hand panel
8. Click Erase
9. Type the name you wish to use for the drive
10. Select ExFAT from the Format: dropdown list
11. Click Erase