Format Windows and Mac drives together on a single storage device.
Format Windows and Mac drives together on a single storage device.
MrWolfsuper
02-07-2026, 04:07 AM #1You might be able to keep both Mac and Windows files on the same drive without relying on exFAT. Consider using native file systems like NTFS for Windows or APFS for macOS, or explore third-party solutions that support cross-platform storage.
Lord_Foxtrot
02-07-2026, 01:34 PM #3I could check other discussions just to confirm, but I'll hold off until I receive a reply here first.
After trying, I discovered a method to make it function. But it needs the GUID partition table on the whole drive and must be handled through Mac software. This suggests it might depend on the file system type. I’m unlikely it would work with Linux due to Apple’s restrictions, though I could be mistaken. The GUID partitions appear in the Windows partition with a 500GB drive. For clarity, here’s how I combined both storage types on one drive (using NTFS): back up important data first since this will erase everything. 1. Boot into recovery or OS X Installer 2. Open Disk Utility 3. Choose the entire drive for both Mac and Windows formats 4. Pick Partition 5. Set 2 partitions: 1st as OSX (extended journaled), 2nd as MS-DOS (FAT) 7. Click Apply