Disk Utility 12.x: Format a disk for Windows computers
You can use Disk Utility to format a disk to use with a Windows computer.
Notice:Formatting a disk erases all the files on it. Copy any files you want to save to another disk before formatting the disk.
- Open Disk Utility, in the Utilities folder in Launchpad.
- Select the disk you want to format for use with Windows computers.
- Click Erase, and choose one of the following from the Format pop-up menu:
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If the size of the disk is 32 GB or less, choose MS-DOS (FAT).
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If the size of the disk is over 32 GB, choose ExFAT.
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- Type a name for the disk.
The name’s maximum length is 11 characters.
- Click the Erase button, and then click Erase again.
You can also partition a disk using the Master Boot Record partition scheme, which is compatible with Windows.
Last Modified: Jul 11, 2012