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WD My Passport for Mac, compatible with PC?

skcp17 -  
_Ritchi_ Posted messages 21130 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   -
Hello, I just bought a Western Digital My Passport for Mac hard drive and I'm wondering if it is also compatible with the latest Windows, as it's not indicated on the box. On the WD website, it says it can be formatted for Windows, but won't that risk erasing its previous content and all the data used with the Mac?

2 answers

  1.
    _Ritchi_ Posted messages 21130 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   6 135
     
    Hello

    Natively, a Mac can read a disk formatted in FAT32 or NTFS, which are the two main formats recognized and managed by Windows.

    Natively, a Mac can write to a disk formatted in FAT32, but it cannot write to a disk formatted in NTFS.

    Does the reverse exist?
    No.
    Natively, a PC can only read and write its own formats (FAT32 and NTFS). Any other format will be unrecognized, and the PC will prompt to format it, hence the risk of losing data.
    The only solution for a PC to read a disk formatted in HFS+ (the format used by Mac) is to use a tool like MacDisk.

    Ritchi
    2
    1. skcp16
       
      Indeed, it seems practical, but I can’t imagine there’s any free software available. But thanks anyway for the info; it will probably be useful to me one day. See you later, Ritchi.
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    2. _Ritchi_ Posted messages 21130 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   6 135
       
      If there is one, I am not familiar with it as it is part of the Windows world that I don't master too well. I know the MacDisk software because it used to be included with the purchase of certain hard drives from Macway.
      0