Share external disk between Mac and Windows

I know this topic crops up a lot, but nobody has given a clear and simple explanation of how to do this.
I have a Lacie external USB/FW disk, and just want to be able to plug it into my mac or my customer's windows machines, and copy files back and forth. Simple!
Which partitioning scheme should I set up, and how should I set up the disk using Disk Util?
Cheers

Hi,
Would I still be able to create Extended/Journaled partitions on it to use with SuperDuper in making bootable backups of my main iMac disk? Cheers for the help!
not while using the MBR partition scheme.
For bootable OSX clones/partitions you have to use GPT (GUID partition table), which on the other hand can prevent the usage of the harddisk with PCs.
When you restrict the usage of the external HD to your Mac (with propably using BootCamp Windows) then GPT isn't usually an issue, but when switching the HD between your Mac and a Windows PC, then it can happen, that the PC is not able to see/use the partitions on the HD.
I have two external HDs which I only use with my Macs. Both are using GPT and have two partitions on them, one for bootable OSX clone and one with FAT32 for storage.
I have no problem with them as long as they are connected to my Macs, but when I attach them to a Windows PC, then Windows only sees one GPT partition.
Regards
Stefan

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Hello,
I am new in using Mac and recently I buy a IMac 24" model.
I used to use PC a long time with a lot of old document.
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Thanks in advance,
Eric

Hi Eric and welcome to Discussions and the Apple world.
Mac OSX can read and write from Windows partitions (like the BootCamp Windows partition you are about to create) when using FAT32 as file system for Windows.
However with FAT32 you are limited to a partition size of 32GB.
Mac OSX can also read from Windows partitions that uses the NTFS file system, but it can not write to them unless you use a third-party helper like either Paragons NTFS for Mac http://www.paragon-software.com/home/ntfs-mac/ or NTFS-3G http://www.ntfs-3g.org/
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I am running Windows on my Mac and I transfer files between mac and Windows alot using my external hard drive. I was wondering if there was an easier way to do this than having to use my external hard drive like a networking solution or something. Thanks...

i also run windows on my mac (for work). The issue i had was that when booted in osx, i could see the windows partition, and copy files FROM it to the mac side, but i could not copy files TO the windows partition.
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http://macntfs-3g.blogspot.com/
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Hello,
Would you be able to send me your log files so I can better see what might be causing this issue issue. I will need Logs from both your Mac and Windows machines please.
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Mac:
/Users/<username>/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CoreSync
Windows:
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\CoreSync
'Library' on Mac and 'AppData' on Windows are both hidden folders. Please read these pages for help on showing these folders:
http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/show-hidden-files-folders-extensions.html (Win)
https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html (Mac)
please upload them to Creative Cloud and send me a link to the logs at [email protected]
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HT1452 I want to reset the permissions on a western digital external hard drive to work between mac and windows... How can I do this easily?

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MacQuack wrote:
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How to use an external hard drive and copy files to the disk for mac and windows??

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Hello,
I've a business(sales) software(Ciel) which is working on Mac. This software is generating a file which can be exported to another (Ciel) software(accounting) but which only works on Windows. I've made 2 sessions for both operating systems, split hard disk in 2 partitions and installed the both software separately.
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You may want to investigate Parallels for Mac. It will allow you to share everything in your Mac with Windows.
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Hi there
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Hi Sharif,
Thanks for your answer. If I could just ask for some clarification
Sure thing, tht's why we are here, aren't we ?
If I buy a new external drive, should I then use Disk Utility to format it according to the guidelines you've given?
1. Start Disk Utility
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4. Choose 'One Partition'
5. Choose 'MS-DOS' and enter a "Name"
6. Click on the 'Options'-Button and set MBR as partition scheme
7. run the partitioning
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Has worked for me on a number of external harddisks.
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Regards
Stefan

How to create shared folder between mac and windows

how to create shared folder between mac and windows

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How to prevent iTunes for Windows from "Updating iTunes Library"?
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tt2

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Think this is the right forum...
I want to instal a program onto an external hard drive for use on both mac and windows. The program supports both mac and windows.
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An easier solution might be to just connect the drive to a Windows PC and format it as FAT32. Both Windows (98 and higher) as well as Mac allow full read/write access to FAT32 formatted drives. No need to download any drivers, etc. It just works.
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VPN -- different behavior between Mac and Windows XP clients.

Hi,
Background:
I have a Mini server serving L2TP IPSEC vpn with both Mac and Windows (all XP, so far) clients.
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Thanks Jonathan
p.s. MrHoffman, I almost asked this in the HP Forum as well, till I noticed you were here. (Assuming you are Hoff.)

Hi soccerdude21490-
+Is this possible?+
Theoretically yes. However, it would be up to the school to allow you access through their network.
The first step would be to contact the school's IT department and ask them if they will allow such a connection, and if so, could they please provide you with the settings (ip address etc.).
Luck-
-DP

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Share external disk between Mac and Windows

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