The latest version includes many features like disk usage quotas, link tracking distribution, reparse points, file-level encryption and sparse file support.
Microsoft has launched five versions of NTFS: v1.0 released with Windows NT 3.1, v1.2 with Windows 3.51, v3.0 with Windows 2000, v3.1 and v5.0 with Windows XP. It is also known as Window's default file system. NTFS (New Technology File System): NTFS is developed by Microsoft, started with Windows NT 3.0.The most popular file systems are as discussed below: Various operating systems like Mac, Windows, Linux and OS X have different file systems to organize and store digital information. File systems are the key parts of translation from the physical data recording on a hard drive to the files that are read by operating systems only. Remember once all the data get formatted, it will not be recovered at any cost.īefore proceeding to format external hard drive, you need to know about file systems which are particularly associated with the operating systems. If you have documents, music, photos saved elsewhere on computer then make sure you have copied all stuff before formatting.
Most external hard devices come with backup software that will make process much easier to do.
Technically, it is the process of writing a new directory structure which allows the documents and files to be overwritten and create space for the new data.īefore formatting external hard drives, backup all important data that you are going to format. Low level formatting is the first process of wiping out data and existing files in the hard disk devices and at the high level, a new file system is generated.
Formatting may take few hours to wipe out the existing data, but the process can be hassle-free if you get to know about stepwise instructions of how to format an external hard drive. Formatting can be performed at two stages: low level and high level process. What is External Hard Drive Formatting Process?įormatting external hard drives is a process of deleting or erasing the memory chunks to avail the space for new data. If you are looking for new operating system or selling your old computers or laptops, then you need to set up an external hard drive for backups by erasing and formatting the existing data in the storage devices. These are attached to systems through FireWire or USB connection or wirelessly to transfer data from the internal drive to hard disk drives. Please ensure that you have removed all the files from your external hard drive before doing this step.Part 1 Formatting a Hard Drive and File System Process:Įxternal hard drives are the storage devices used to store and retrieve digital information, personal and official data like files, documents and other stuff. Step 2: Once done, you will see your external hard drive in the left of the Disk Utility window. Alternatively, you can go to Finder, click on the Applications option, locate Utilities, click on it, search for Disk Utility, and tap on it. Step 1: Go to Spotlight and search for the Disk Utility tool. To use Disk Utility, here are the steps that you will have to take care of: The way it will work is that it will create multiple partitions and will encrypt each partition. Hence, use this method if you have a new external hard drive. When you use the Disk Utility tool, it will erase all the files and folders that are there in the external hard drive. However, there’s one thing that you need to keep in mind. You can use the Disk Utility tool on your Mac to password-protect the external hard drive. If you have a Mac computer instead of Windows 10, you can use your Mac computer to password-protect your external hard drive.
How to Password Protect External Hard Drive on Mac?
But before you start using it, ensure to download LockDir and install it, now follow this guide: To start using LockDir, here are the steps that you will have to take care of. Once you lock your external hard drive using LockDir, the files inside will become inaccessible and unmovable. If you keep confidential data and files on your hard drive, better to keep them protected from unauthorized access and use. Moreover, LockDir can password-protect all types of mobile storage devices. In addition, you can use it to password protect folders and files.
LockDir is a robust and professional tool that can lock hard drives fast and securely. The Best Tool to Protect External Hard Drive with PasswordĪlthough the steps to follow to use BitLocker and VeraCrypt are easy, if you want to try a better tool to lock your external hard drive, you can try KakaSoft’s Folder Protector (LockDir).
Step 5: Now, click on the Encrypt option to begin the encryption process, and it will encrypt folders and files in your hard drive.