In this Article: On Windows On Mac Community Q&A This wikiHow teaches you how to change an external (USB) hard drive's format on Windows and Mac computers. Formatting a hard drive can change the file system to make it compatible with your computer's operating system, as well as fix any non-physical errors on the drive itself.

Tuesday, May 9th, 2017 Author: Boot Camp and Boot Camp Assistant allow you to. It’s a nice capability that lets you select – at boot time – which operating system you wish to use: macOS or Windows. One of the downsides to Boot Camp and the Windows installer is that it restricts you to installing Windows on your Mac’s internal drive.

While Boot Camp Assistant can partition your startup drive for you to make room for Windows, there are bound to be many of you who just don’t have room to spare on your startup drive to install Windows. Installing Windows on an would be a great solution to the problem of available space, but as we said, Boot Camp and Windows impose a restriction on installing to an external drive – or do they? There are actually a few ways you can successfully install Windows on an external drive.

They range from creating clones of an existing PC installation or using Microsoft IT tools for installing Windows. But the method we’re going to outline here is a bit different. It allows you to install Windows on an external drive without first having Windows installed on a PC or in a virtual environment. This is an advanced process with quite a few pitfalls that can trip you up. Be sure to read through the process before undertaking it. Also, make sure you have a before beginning. What You Need • 4 GB or larger.

We’re using a USB 3.0 drive, but a Thunderbolt drive should work as well. • Boot Camp Windows Support Software. • VirtualBox virtualization app (available for free).

• A licensed copy of Windows 10 ISO or an install DVD. During the Windows installation, the drivers for Apple wireless keyboards and mice aren’t installed until the very end of the process. If you’re not using a portable Mac with a built-in keyboard and trackpad, you’ll need a wired keyboard and mouse to complete the installation. Prepare the External Drive for Installing Windows The external drive that you’ll install Windows on needs to be prepared by erasing and formatting the drive for use with Windows.

How to make an app for a mac. Warning: The erase, format, and partitioning process will currently contained on the external drive. 1) Ensure the external drive is connected to your Mac. 2) Launch Disk Utility, located at /Applications/Utilities.

3) In the Disk Utility sidebar, select the external drive that will be used for Windows. The device will likely have the name of the external enclosure’s manufacturer listed. Do not select the volume located just underneath the device name. 4) Click the Erase button in the Disk Utility toolbar. 5) Use the dropdown menu to set the Scheme to “Master Boot Record.” 6) Use the dropdown menu to set the Format to “MS-DOS (FAT).” 7) You can use any name you wish (up to 8 characters), but we suggest naming the external WIN10. 8) Click the Erase button.

The external drive will be formatted and a single MS-DOS (FAT) volume will be created. Prepare the USB Flash Drive for the Windows Support Software The USB flash drive needs to be formatted to accept the Windows software that Boot Camp Assistant will download and install. (The flash drive needs to be formatted for use on Windows.) Warning: The process of preparing the USB flash drive will delete any data contained on the flash drive. 1) Make sure the USB flash drive is connected to your Mac. 2) Launch Disk Utility, located at /Applications/Utilities. 3) In the Disk Utility sidebar, select the USB flash drive device. The device will likely have the name of the USB flash drive manufacturer listed.