- Format External Hard Drive Mac
- Mac Os X Format Hard Drive
- Mac Os Format External Hard Drive
- Mac Os X Format Hard Drive
- Format Hard Drive Mac Os Extended
Launch Disk Utility and then click to select the external hard drive listed on the left. Click the 'Erase' tab, choose a volume format from the drop-down menu and then type a name for the drive. The Mac OS X Extended volume format is optimal for Macs; the Journaled option enables the system to log and keep track of files. OS X, Windows, and Linux all use different hard drive formatting for normal system operations. A hard drive format refers to how the operating system stores the data on the drive. There are three common filesystems that are used today: HFS+, NTFS, and FAT32. Mac OS X uses HFS+, Windows uses NTFS and used to use FAT32.
Nov 16, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions
There are lots of people who mistakenly think that the USB drives and hard drives format don't really matter. But the reality is quite different. Whether it is a hard drive or USB or internal drive, Mac uses different format support. So, you can't simply use the same drive with both Windows and Mac. As a result, you will need to format the hard drive for Mac. Using the Mac preferred file system is important otherwise the files will be of no use to you.
In this article, we are going to discuss how to format a hard drive for Mac and some related terms too.
Part 1. Situations When Formatting a Hard Drive on Mac:
Before you get deep, you must understand what is the drive formatting. Some people confuse the term with reformatting. Basically, formatting is the process of preparing the storage devices such as hard disk drive, solid-state drive, USB flash drive, or any other for initial use.
The basic operation is termed as low-level formatting which means erasing the existing data on the disk. But it leaves the track to recover the data using the recovery tool.
There is another term related to disk formatting and it is called reformatting. It is called high-level formatting as it is used to prepare the disk for different file system formats. It is usually done during the OS installation or adding a new disk. Reformatting is done to free the storage space from the previous content stored in it.
You can consider disk formatting in macOS in various circumstances. Whether your system has corrupted data, damaged software, impending system upgrade, storage is full, or it is running slow, formatting will fix a lot of issues. How to right click on a mac. Take a look at the scenarios given below and you will be sure that disk formatting will help you.
- If you want to quickly erase all content from the drive permanently without leaving a trace of data on it.
- If you want to change the format of the disk such as PC format like FAT or exFAT to Mac format.
- If you see the message that the disk is not readable by Mac.
- If you want to resolve a disk issue that can't be fixed by the Repair feature of Disk Utility.
- If the macOS installer can't see the disk or unable to install it.
- In case the macOS installer says that the drive can't be installed because it is a part of Apple RAID.
Under all these situations, formatting is most likely to fix your problems and you will be able to use the drive on Mac.
Part 2. How to Format a Hard Drive on Mac:
Formatting is a very simple procedure that is operated in a similar way for all sorts of storage media. So, whether you wish to format the internal hard drive, external drive, or a USB flash drive, the procedure is the same for all. Here is the step by step guide you need to follow to format the hard disk on Mac. Before you erase a disk, make sure that you have a backup of the files you want to keep.
Step 1: Connect the USB drive or external drive to Mac and launch the Disk Utility from Applications.
Step 2: From the left side panel, pick the volume or the drive that you want to format and switch to the Erase tab.
Step 3: As you click on the Erase button, you will see several fields in the section. Enter the given information-
- Name- Enter a name for the disk such as Macintosh HD/SSD/USB Drive or anything else you want.
- Format- You have to choose a Mac supported format from the list. The most recommended format is APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled). There are numerous other formats too which will be displayed in the drop-down menu. You can select any format as per your requirement.
- The scheme- If this option is available, then you should choose the GUID Partition Map from the option.
Step 4: After specifying the fields, click on the Erase button at the bottom of the window and Disk Utility will format the drive.
Once the formatting is complete, you can use the disk for a backup drive, sharing, time machine backup, or any other requirement. In case if the drive doesn't appear in the Disk Utility interface, you will have to disconnect all the extra and non-essential devices connected to Mac. Make sure that the External drive is on and connected properly. Restart your Mac and then carry out the task.
Part 3. How to Perform Mac Data Recovery After Format:
There are situations when Mac users don't get the chance to create a backup of their data and forced to format the hard drive. But you don't need to panic. You can get your hands on Recoverit data recovery for Mac. If you have mistakenly formatted the data that you still need, Recoverit is the best chance you have to get the files back. It is a complete data recovery solution that is capable of recovering all kinds of files with wide format support of 1000+.
You can download the software from the official website and install it immediately on Mac. Once the setup is complete, follow the steps below to recover formatted drive files.
Step 1: Specify Location:
Run the program and specify a location from the main drive. If data is lost from an external drive or USB flash drive, then you'll have to connect the drive with the system and then specify the location.
Click on the Start button to initiate the scanning process.
Step 2: Scan Results:
Depending on the data that is lost or deleted, scanning will take some time. As the process finishes, the files will be displayed on the screen according to their respective format.
You can decide whether you want to look for files according to file type or file path. You can also stop the scanning process in between if the results are displayed before the scanning finishes.
Step 3: Preview and Recover Formatted Data:
As soon as the data is displayed on the screen, you can have a preview of the files. Select as many files as you want and have a preview of the files. Tap on the Recover button to save the files on your system.
As you are retrieving the files, keep in mind not to save the files in the previous location. Depending on the amount of recovery, it will take a while and ultimately you'll have your files back. If the normal scan doesn't work for you, Recoverit also has a deep scan mode to look deeper for the deleted and lost files.
Part 4. Different Formats of Hard Drive for Mac:
Mac Hard drives have wide support for formats but there are two major formats that are preferably used by the Mac users. It also depends on the macOS version you are using. The key point to consider is that the drives formatted with the newer versions won't be recognized by the older devices. So, when you are formatting a USB drive, it will be ideal to choose the right format which is Mac OS Extended.
The supported Mac formats for the drive are explained below:
APFS:
The APFS format is optimal for Solid State Drive such as flash drives. Hence, if you are formatting a flash drive, you should definitely choose the APFS format. Along with the flash drives, this format is also faster and more reliable for Mac hard drives.
Mac OS Extended:
Talking about Mac OS Extended, it is perfectly suitable if you want to use a drive for backup. The Time Machine feature of Mac still doesn't have support for APFS disk. In case you select this format, Time Machine will prompt you to reformat the drive.
When you are formatting disk on Mac, keep some things in mind. Never ever change the inbuilt format of a Mac drive.
Part 5. Tips for Formatting a Hard Drive on Mac:
Even though formatting doesn't seem like a big deal, still it can be very helpful. So, you must stay active and keep all things in mind. Here are some tips that might help you when you are about to format a Mac hard drive.
- Disk Utility in macOS Sierra and later chooses a compatible format for you automatically. But you should know the default format for your drive. It is advised not to change the default format of a Mac hard drive under any circumstances.
- You can check the format of a drive inside the Disk Utility Menu bar. Just click on the Get Info option and you'll know the current format a drive is using to store files. Open the System information and select the storage. In the right-side panel, you will see the respective format for each volume on your Mac.
- If you want to erase your disk before you install the latest High Sierra on your Mac for the first time, then opt-out for the Mac OS Extended format. During the installation of OS, the macOS installer will automatically decide whether to use APFS or Mac OS Extended for the disk.
- You can also use the FAT32 format on Mac for USB drives if you wish to use it on both Mac and Windows. The FAT32 format can be read and written on both OS and hence it is the most versatile format for use.
- If you wish to transfer big files from Windows to Mac, you'll still have an alternative, i.e. exFAT. This format doesn't have a file limit but it can only be read on Mac OS X Snow Leopard or later.
So, before you pick out the format, look out for the advantages and the disadvantages of the formats to choose the optimal format for Mac. The Windows supported format is usually listed as an MS-DOS format in the list of formats.
Wrapping It Up:
As you can see, now you know how to format hard drive/ USB flash drive/ internal drive/external drive on Mac. So, from now on whenever someone is in need, you can help them. And formatting doesn't always finish without complications. So, if you lost some important files while formatting the drive, you can use Recoverit data recovery software for Mac to restore them in the original condition. Recommend the software to your friends and family and let them know that there is a master tool for recovery for both Mac and Windows OS in the market.
Oct 10,2020 • Filed to: Hard Drive Recovery • Proven solutions
'My computer is in a boot loop and it doesn't even get to the Windows logo. I need a way to format hard drive from bios because I have no other way to format it. Am I able to do it? Thank you for any kind help!'
This is the desperate cry for help of someone who needs to fix their computer, and also a question frequently asked by those who, for one reason or another, have no other way of formatting their disk. But is it possible to format HDD from BIOS? If yes, how can you do it? Read on to find how to use your PC's BIOS to format your hard drive.
Part 1: Why Would I Format Hard Disk from BIOS Settings?
https://downdfiles639.weebly.com/find-focus-1-0-24-block-distractions-worksheets.html. Formatting your hard drive from BIOS is not the most common path. However, there are moments when you simply have no other option.
For instance, your computer might be in a boot loop that prevents Windows from starting. If you have a similar problem, regardless of the version of Windows you run, perhaps you want to know how to format drive from BIOS.
Another situation when you might want to format a hard disk from BIOS is when you want to format the system partition. Indeed, because the operating system is installed on this partition, you won't be able to format it when booting from hard disk. Reinstalling the operating system also requires to format the system partition, and this is not possible when the computer is booted normally. As such, you'll have to boot from BIOS. But how? Read on to find it out.
Part 2: Can I Format Hard Disk from BIOS Settings?
In short, no. Not only you can't format hard drive from BIOS; you actually can't format any drive or partition directly from those settings.
That's because your computer's BIOS was not designed for this purpose. This firmware is used to perform hardware initialization during the booting process, not to format or reboot your system. It also provides runtimes for operating systems and programs by making data accessible to the microprocessor.
In other words, the BIOS determines if all the attachments are operational when booting up your computer, and it loads the operating system into the RAM as your computer is running. While the BIOS detects the hard drive and allows you to boot the operating system from it, it doesn't let you format the disk. In fact, it is the operating system itself that allows you to format the entire hard disk, except for the system partition.
Now, even if it is impossible to format hard drive from BIOS, you shouldn't despair. There are other ways you can use to achieve your purpose. The easiest way is to boot from a bootable drive such as a CD, DVD, or USB flash, by changing the BIOS settings to allow formatting.
Before you start, remember that the formatting process will delete all the data on your drive, including data on the system partition. If possible, you should back up your data before booting from a bootable drive to prevent any data loss. With this in mind, let's now see how to format a hard disk from BIOS.
Part 3: How to Format Hard Drive from BIOS
To format hard drive from BIOS, you have to change the settings to boot automatically from disk. In this way, when the disk is loaded upon restart, the PC will prompt a message asking you whether you want to reformat the drive.
If your computer runs Windows 7 or previous versions, you'll need a Windows disk to perform the format. Windows 10 users may be able to perform this operation without a disk, via the command prompt window.
1. Format Hard Drive on Windows 7 or Earlier Versions
Step 1 Restart your computer and press F8 or Del key to enter the BIOS settings. The system tells you what key to press during the restart, so pay attention to your screen and be quick at pressing the right key.
https://bestnload931.weebly.com/install-software-macbook-pro.html. Step 2 Once you've entered the BIOS settings, use the arrow keys to select Advanced BIOS Features. Torrent platinum notes 3.0. Press enter to open the menu and set the first boot device as either CD, DVD, or USB.
Step 3 After you have changed the settings, insert the bootable drive into the CD unit or USB plug, and reboot your computer. The system will prompt you with the option to format the hard drive. Select the first option to format hard drive.
2. Format Hard Drive on Windows 10
If you have Windows 10, you can format hard drive from BIOS via the command prompt. To do this, you have to create an installation media (either a bootable CD or USB flash drive) with the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool. Once you've done that, follow the steps below:
Step 1 Set the boot drive in BIOS as explained above, then reboot your computer from the installation media.
Step 2 When Windows setup loads, select your language, time and currency format, and keyboard or input method, then click next. How to look at your storage on a mac.
Step 3 The next screen prompts you to click on Install Now, but you have to choose the Repair your computer option at the bottom of the screen.
Step 4 Choose Troubleshoot on the next screen.
Step 5 In the Advanced options screen, click on Command Prompt.
Format External Hard Drive Mac
Step 6 Find the system partition by typing the following commands and hitting the enter key each time:
In the commands above, F is the directory of the selected volume (which is typically F on Windows 10, not C as on older versions of the operating system). If you can't find Windows here, just repeat the commands and replace F with C or D until you find it. Windows is listed in the directory of the selected volume, so just check to see if it's there.
Step 7 Once you found Windows, supposing it's on partition F, enter the following command: format F: /fs:ntfs (replace F with the partition letter where Windows is installed on your computer).
The system will prompt you with a message informing you'll lose all data and ask if you want to proceed with the format. Type Y and press enter to start formatting.
Bonus Tips: Formatted Hard Drive Data Recovery
More often than not, you're wondering how to format hard drive from BIOS because the system is jammed, and you can't turn on your computer successfully anymore. Subsequently, you might lose important data during the rebooting and formatting.
Luckily, you can use the Recoverit Data Recovery for Windows to retrieve any lost data. This complete data recovery app can find your lost or inaccessible content, let you preview those files to make sure they are the right ones, and recover them to any location of your choice. A few things you should know about Recoverit:
Recoverit Data Recovery
A Life Saver to Solve Your Data Loss Problems!
- Supports over 1,000 different file formats for compressed files, documents, audio, photos, videos, and more.
- It scans and shows a preview of all hidden files not only from your PC's internal and external hard drive.
- Lets you preview the retrieved data, decide what to recover, and where to save your files.
- It can retrieve any types of files that were accidentally deleted, corrupt files, and other data from lost or formatted partitions.
- Supports the latest Windows version, including Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP.
Here's how to use Recoverit Data Recovery to recover any lost files on Windows systems:
Step 1Download and install the software
Download the this best data recovery software after formatting hard disk from the website and install it on a separate partition from that where you deleted or lost data, then register with the key received via email upon purchase.
Step 2 Select the location and start
Select the formatted partition and click Start.
Step 3Wait for the software to scan the partition.
The software will prompt you with a preview of the retrieved data.
Step 4 Preview and save the recovered data
You can now preview the retrieved data and decide which files you want to recover. To do that, simply click on the Recover button and wait for the software to recover and launch your files. For higher chances of success, choose to save the files on another partition or hard drive.
Mac Os X Format Hard Drive
Conclusion
Whether you want to format hard drive from BIOS due to an unexpected system failure or just because you want to reinstall your system, the steps above should help you do it like a pro. You now even know how to recover any lost data, in case you had important files saved on the same partition as your operating system.
Mac Os Format External Hard Drive
Before you start, remember that formatting your hard drive is a permanent procedure that can't be reversed. So, make sure you have a bootable drive at hand to install Windows again; then, you can always use a trusted data recovery software to get back any data you might have lost.
Mac Os X Format Hard Drive
Read More: How to Perform PS4 External Hard Drive Format?
Format Hard Drive Mac Os Extended
