Switching from Mac OS to Windows. External HD question

Just wondering if you guys have any tips for switching from Mac OS to Windows. My External HD are formatted for Mac oS. Obviously I need to reformat, so how do you go about transferring the data. The cloud would take way too long. My only other idea is to try and transfer to my SD cards and then format. Then use the new windows machine to format and load off the SD cards

Can the mac format the drive with exFAT? Windows can read/write that and unlike FAT32, it allows files over 4 GB in size. Once on Windows and backed up, you can reformat it to NTFS.

But would still need to wipe the drive to change format. No?

Drakeskakes wrote in post #18175355
But would still need to wipe the drive to change format. No?

I know Windows can convert file systems without reformatting via a command. No idea about the mac. You may want to get another USB hard drive to use for moving the data.

Probably be good to know the O/S of both the Mac and Windows machine for more specific information.

But with Windows 10, a relatively simple task...see http://www.laptopmag.c​om …move-mac-files-windows-pc. By the way, the step by step procedure looks worse than it really is. Once you do the initial folder and get the hang of it, it is relatively quick.

Some more general information on the process at https://support.micros​oft.com/en-us/kb/2636421.

In general, if the external hard drive has been formatted in FAT32 or exFAT, then both the PC and your Mac should be able to read it. All versions of Windows XP and later support both FAT32 and exFAT. Apple already supported FAT32 and it added support for exFAT in Mac OS X 10.6.5 (Snow Leopard) and later versions of OS X.

I would just buy an extra drive, transfer and then format. This seems like the safest way to go to me. You can actually format (and read/write) as NTFS on Mac with Paragon NTFS if the need ever arises.

I don't recommend using exFAT for large volumes. They tend to be pretty vulnerable to losing connections (power outage or unplugged cable). NTFS and HFS+ handle those situations much better.

I did see a good while ago that there was a software that enables windows to read mac format drives, alas I cant remember where it was a couple of years ago. However you won't be able to write to them, I would second the get an extra drive and begin the process, Seagates come with software that allows you to write to NTFS drives but only their own.

John from PA wrote in post #18175442
Probably be good to know the O/S of both the Mac and Windows machine for more specific information.

But with Windows 10, a relatively simple task...see http://www.laptopmag.c​om …move-mac-files-windows-pc. By the way, the step by step procedure looks worse than it really is. Once you do the initial folder and get the hang of it, it is relatively quick.

Some more general information on the process at https://support.micros​oft.com/en-us/kb/2636421.

In general, if the external hard drive has been formatted in FAT32 or exFAT, then both the PC and your Mac should be able to read it. All versions of Windows XP and later support both FAT32 and exFAT. Apple already supported FAT32 and it added support for exFAT in Mac OS X 10.6.5 (Snow Leopard) and later versions of OS X.

Don't get wrapped up in all the various options. Read above and let us know what Mac and Windows O/S you are dealing with. There is a high probability you have a relatively easy task at hand.

Assuming you have the two computers who not forego external drives altogether and transfer everything over your home network? Quite easy to file transfer between Win and Mac OS.

For your external, if it has only been used on Mac before, it is more than likely in Mac OS X Extended format.

If that is the case, you will have to move the files off of the drive to reformat it to exFat for it to be compatible with both