This wikiHow teaches you how to select, install, and format an external hard drive on Windows and Mac computers.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Selecting an External Hard Disc
Step 1. Find out how to add an external hard drive to your computer
While some external hard drives can be used immediately after plugging them into a USB port on your computer, most external hard drives must be formatted to match your computer's file system before you can use them.
Formatting the hard disk can be done quickly through the computer's default settings
Step 2. Check the computer connection
Most computers have a USB 3.0 port, which is a rectangular hole on the side or front of the computer case. However, modern Mac computers and some Windows computers made by Microsoft only provide USB-C connections. Features:
- USB 3.0 - A rectangular port found on most computers made before 2017. Most external hard drives use a USB 3.0 connector.
- USB-C - Oval port commonly used by MacBooks and some Microsoft-made laptops. If your computer has a USB-C port, purchase a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter. You can also purchase a hard drive that includes a USB-C cable.
Step 3. Consider the required storage capacity
External hard disks usually have capacities ranging from 500 GB to several terabytes. Purchase a hard drive with a capacity that exceeds your needs.
In general, a hard disk with a terabyte capacity (1,024 gigabytes) is not much different from a 500 GB disk. Larger storage space also tends to be less expensive. For example, a 2 TB hard drive will cost much less than 2 1 TB hard drives
Step 4. Choose a regular hard disk or SSD (solid-state drive)
SSDs are much faster than regular hard drives, but they are also much more expensive. However, if you plan to run your operating system or editing software from an external hard drive, SSDs have a better response than regular hard drives.
Step 5. Select the desired brand
Hard discs are cheap, but be sure to buy from a reputable manufacturer. Popular hard drive manufacturers include:
- Western Digital
- Adata
- Buffalo
- Seagate
- Samsung
Step 6. Purchase an external hard drive that suits your needs
Once you've purchased your hard drive at a computer store or online, continue the process by installing the disc on your Mac or Windows computer.
Part 2 of 3: Installing External Hard Disks in Windows
Step 1. Locate the computer's USB port
The USB 3.0 or USB-C port is usually located on the side of the computer, although desktop computer users can find it on the front or side of the case.
Make sure the external hard drive is plugged into a USB port on the computer, not a USB port for a hub or keyboard (keyboard)
Step 2. Plug one end of the external hard drive cable into the USB port
If using a USB 3.0 connection, the cable can only be inserted in one direction. On a USB-C connection, you can insert the cable back and forth into the port.
Step 3. Plug the other end of the cable into the external hard drive
The end of the cable is usually a special connection that can only fit into a port on an external hard drive.
Step 4. Open File Explorer
Do this by clicking on the File Explorer icon that looks like a folder at the bottom of your computer screen.
If the File Explorer icon isn't there, you can open it by pressing Win+E
Step 5. Click This PC
It's on the left side of the window, although you may have to scroll down or up in the left pane to find it.
Step 6. Right-click the name of the external hard disk
The hard disk is under the " Devices and drives " heading. A drop-down menu will be displayed.
If there's nothing under the " Devices and drives " heading, double-click the heading to expand it
Step 7. Click Format in the drop-down menu
This will open the Format window.
Step 8. Click the "File System" drop-down box
It's in the middle of the Format window. A drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 9. Select the desired file system
Select an option in the drop-down menu:
- NTFS - Use this option if you only want to use the hard disk on a Windows computer.
- exFAT - This option allows you to use the hard drive on both Mac and Windows computers.
- FAT32 - This option allows you to use the hard drive on computers and other non-computer devices. Some computers or Linux installations require a FAT32 format hard disk.
Step 10. Click Start at the bottom of the window
Doing so will start Windows from formatting the hard drive.
If you purchased a used hard drive, we recommend that you uncheck the " Quick Format " box. This does make the formatting process take longer, but the entire hard disk will be completely erased
Step 11. Click OK when prompted
It's at the bottom of the window. Doing so will close the Format window. Now your hard disk has been formatted successfully.
Part 3 of 3: Installing External Hard Disks on Mac
Step 1. Locate the USB port on the Mac computer
These ports are usually on the side of the case (on MacBooks) or on the back of the monitor (on iMacs).
Step 2. Plug one end of the external hard drive cable into the USB port
If the cable uses a USB 3.0 connection, you can only plug it in one direction. On a USB-C connection, you can plug it back and forth into the port.
Step 3. Plug the other end of the cable into the external hard drive
The other end of the cable usually has a special hole that only fits ports on the external hard drive.
Step 4. Open Spotlight
In the top right corner, click the Spotlight icon, which looks like a magnifying glass.
Step 5. Open Disk Utility
Type disk utility, double click Disk Utility displayed in the search results. This will open the Disk Utility window.
Step 6. Select an external hard disk
At the top left of the Disk Utility window, click the name of the external hard disk.
Step 7. Click Erase
This tab is at the top of the Disk Utility window. A pop-up window will be displayed.
Step 8. Click the "Format" drop-down box
It's in the middle of the pop-up window.
Step 9. Select the desired file system
Choose one of the options below:
- Mac OS Extended (Journaled) - Select this option if you only want to use the hard drive on a Mac computer.
- ExFAT - This option allows you to use an external hard drive on Mac and Windows computers.
Step 10. Click Erase
It's at the bottom of the window.
Step 11. Click Erase when prompted
Doing so will start your Mac computer from formatting your hard drive. When finished, the hard disk is ready to use.
Tips
- Many non-computer devices can access external hard drives (such as game consoles) that offer formatting via the Storage section of the Settings menu.
- Always eject an external hard drive safely before you remove it from the computer. This is to ensure that the files on your hard drive are stored safely.
Warning
- Not all file systems are compatible with other computers. If you are using a special file system (e.g NTFS on Windows), the external hard disk will not work on non-Windows computers.
- Formatting the hard drive will erase all the data on it.
