New External USB HDD - FAT32 or NTFS?

I have a new 5TB USB external hard drive that will be the 'target' for my backups. Which format is preferable, FAT32 or NTFS? ...and why?

 

i usually use exfat on my external devices as everything can read it (synology nas/pc/mac/linux ) and it can have files bigger than 4gb

 

What KC says is fine but if this external is only gonna be hooked to Linux and/or Windows... NTFS would be the best choice... and don't forget to initialize it (if it isn't already done that way) as a GPT disk (not MBR)... otherwise you'll only get a 2tB partition to use.

FAT32 is really not applicable for a device this large.

 

Well Froggie & kC, my son does have a MacBook and it would be desirable to also use this same USB hard drive for its backups, so would creating different formatted partitions for my PC and his Mac be a good or bad idea?

 

I think the Mac understands NTFS partitions (check to be sure)... I would not try and create multiple partitions like NTFS and HFS+ (the Mac) unless you know for sure there wouldn't be a problem with the GPT initialized area being able to map both of them for proper access (I just don't know for sure... I think it can be done).

BUT, if the Mac understands NTFS (I believe it does), just create COMPUTER folders for each's backup images.

 

WARNING, WARNING! Notes on the web say the MacOS only understands READ ACCESS under NTFS, but it can READ & WRITE to exFAT so KC's idea seems to be the best.

...and you can use 1-partition and multiple folders (Systems) for your backups.

 

...and... you can use Windows DiskMgmt to format the partitions you create.

 

Yes, it does seem that kC's suggestion to use exFAT is the best way to go! .....now can anyone (with a Mac) suggest an installable imaging software for daily backups of my son's MacBook?

 

Why not try the built-in Time Machine in MacOS?

 

As I understand Time Machine it makes continuous backups, requiring the external USB hard drive to be connected to the MacBook. But I need the external drive to be available for backing up my PC.

 

Coupla issues with Apple's "Time Machine"... it appears to only act upon FILES, it does not appear to be an imaging solution for restoration purposes... basically a time machine for files only.

Bigger "IF"... it only works with the journaled HFS+ FileSystem.

 

No Time Machine does not require an external HDD to be connected all the time, nor does it do continuous backups. You set your external HDD to be a destination backup drive, and you connect it to the Mac once a day, Time Machine will ask you to backup when the external drive is plugged in. When the daily backup is done, you can safely disconnect the external drive. Very convenient.

 

Yes but....

 

Well that's a bummer then.

 

Scott, a quick look across the InfoBahn says this is gonna be a tough nut to crack... as far as what we know "imaging" to be in the Windows world.

There are apps to do FULL images but nothing that even looks like Incremental imaging of any kind. It's a tough landscape and Apple has said they're only interested in making basic solutions available (Time Machine and not very well taken care of over the years)... they want to leave more complicated stuff up to 3rd parties. The problem is... they haven't really appeared along the way.

It's goona take some work on your part to come up with a solution that kinda fits into your way of doing business... if it's even out there. I have no idea what Mac System owners do when their PRIMARY HDD/SSD goes bad... sounds like a lot of work to me.

 

Paragon Hard Disk Manager for Mac, https://www.paragon-software.com/home/hdm-mac/.

 

Good tool for Macs!

 

SmartBackup 4, http://solesignal.com/smartbackup4/.

 

Or, the OP can simple buy a 2nd external HDD exclusively for the Mac.

 

Thanks Robin! ...can I assume that Paragon HDM for Mac will work with an exFAT formatted external drive?

 

Scott, you may want to consider Acronis True Image - based on the following comparison:
~ Removed Link. An Affiliate Site Not Recommended By Wilders. ~

 

Acronis DOES NOT SUPPORT exFAT as far as its imaging is concerned on a Mac... but, I'm sure it can store images to any supported Mac file System, incl. exFAT.

I would not purchase it 'til you get that question answered by someone in the know other than me

 

It should be able to store images on a exFAT formatted drive, or any other format that the Mac supports.

 

I´m not sure, not enough info in the website. I haven´t used this software, posted the link as a reference only.

If you google "share external disk windows mac" you will find additional info.

 

Hmm, according to their FAQ (https://kb.acronis.com/ati2017/macfaq) Acronis True Image for Mac does support exFAT.