Do I need to format my iPod on Windows to use it as a hard drive on a PC?

I use my iPod on a MacBook with my iTunes library, but now want to ALSO use it as a simple hard drive on my PC for files transfer.
In the Windows explorer, I am told that it is not formatted and I am proposed to format it, which would erase all data on it.
Do I need to format my iPod on Windows to use it as a hard drive on a PC?
(I don not have iTunes installed on that PC currently)
And if I have to format it, will all my music be gone, but can I simply then synch it again on my MacBook with my iTunes library?
Thanks a lot in advance.

To use the iPod Classic on both the Mac and Windows PC, you need to format it in FAT32 filesystem structure, which both OS can recognise.
Yes, formatting it in FAT32, using iTunes, will erase all music and data in your iPod, but that is no problem if you have all the music in your Mac iTunes library.
So to do this,
Install the Latest iTunes in your windows PC, run itunes and check that all is in order (you can navigate, play some sample songs in itunes.)
Connect your iPod to the Windows PC, USB 2.0 port (please dont use USB hub with iPod Classic, -my bad personal experience, freezing itunes and windows)
iTunes will pop a windows asking you to reformat it in FAT32 and Restore
Click ok. (HERE there maybe some problem, if your iPod hardisk is not in tiptop condition)
When Restore is complete, eject the iPod
Connect it to your Mac and sync iTunes library.
If you want to use the iPod in Windows as an external hd, you have to set it in Disk Mode. first then Windows will recognise it as a portable HD.
Good luck! on this big undertaking.

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Can the Ipod (5th Gen) be used as an external hard drive where I can manually (without syncing) transfer photos to the drive? My goal is to be able to transfer images from my MacBook (OS 10.4.11) to the Ipod and then erase some of the pics on my MacBook to save space; this will be something I'd doing when I'm traveling--I don't want to be carrying my desktop external hard drive with me.
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Click here and follow the instructions.
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Hello otwlottie,
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You need to copy the photo's to either your old computer, the Mac Mini or to a new external drive and then decide what to do with your existing external drive.
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Hey briannagrace96,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities! I'd check out the following article, it looks like it applies to your situation:
iPod: Appears in Windows but not in iTunes
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1363
You'll want to go through the following troubleshooting steps, and for more detail on each step follow the link to the article above:
Try the iPod troubleshooting assistant:
If you have not already done so, try the steps in the iPod Troubleshooting Assistant (choose your iPod model from the list).
If the issue remains after following your iPod's troubleshooting assistant, follow the steps below to continue troubleshooting your issue.
Restart the iPod Service
Restart the Apple Mobile Device Service
Empty your Temp directory and restart
Verify that the Apple Mobile Device USB Driver is installed
Change your iPod's drive letter
Remove and reinstall iTunes
Disable conflicting System Services and Startup Items
Update, Reconfigure, Disable, or Remove Security Software
Deleting damaged or incorrect registry keys
Take care,
David

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Do I need to format my iPod on Windows to use it as a hard drive on a PC?

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