Which format for external hard drive to use with time machine backup and connect to windows laptop?

Hi!  I have an external hard drive on which I have transferred my iTunes library (just mine - not others).  I have also a folder containing just films (some but not all of which are in iTunes too)  Everything has been working just fine until yesterday I noticed that Time Machine was not including the external hard drive in back up as it wasn't formatted.  So I have moved everything back to the Mac hard drive and and ready to format the external hard drive - but understand that if I do the contents cannot be opened from a windows laptop ...  is that right?  Is there are format I could choose that would allow Time Machine to back up and allow Windows to open as well (the idea being that I take the external hard drive with me on holidays etc!!)  Many thanks for any advice. 

ok - I understand.  I have managed so far to format the drive (on windows) to exFAT file system - which apparently works with both Windows and Mac - but you're  correct - it will not be included in time machine backup as I have checked the back up files and Samsung is not showing.  Reckon I'm onto having to buy yet another portable hard drive just for windows - or of course buy myself a new mac book!!  Can I ask you please - does the drive have to be clear of everything before I change the format - or can I change it with the files still in there?  Also, got any quick ways duplicating the files onto another External Hard drive (for use on the windows laptop)  At the moment the files are taking 2/3 hours + to copy over!  Thank you! 

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    Cumby wrote:
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  • Hello once again.. i have formatted my external Hard drive it using exFAT, now my windows cant detect my device, can u plzz help me the whole purpose is getting ruined, i use Windows 7 ultimate 64 bit

    hello once again.. i have formatted my external Hard drive it using exFAT, now my windows cant detect my device, can u plzz help me the whole purpose is getting ruined, i use Windows 7 ultimate 64 bit

    This is a problem with the Mac OS X implementation of exFAT. I've had the same problem.
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