Details say "Formatted for Mac; " Can I use with Windows 7?
952049
Of course. The drive comes preformatted for HFS+, the standard Mac HDD formatting system, but all you have to do for Windows is reformat the drive in your chosen Windows format. Here's a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2jn9_ZvIkM
1765380
Yes, but... As it comes, the drive is pre formatted as a single HFS+J partition for compatibility with Mac OSX operating systems. To use the drive with Windows operating systems you must: 1) Reformat the drive to a single NTFS partition; 2) restore the WD SmartWare software and disk image. For me that sounds complicated. You have to go to http://support.wdc.com and refer to Knowledge Base Answer ID 3865 for information about reformatting a Mac drive.
144250
I can tell you that Windows 7 works, I think XP as well. Not sure about Mac or Win8.
1204655
Hi Dianne! This unit s formatted for Mac OS 10.5 or later operating systems and requires reformatting for Windows operating system. Compatibility may vary depending on your hardware configuration and operating system. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to use this unit with my Mac OS 10.8.5 operating system and sent it back after talking with the WD tech people. I ended up buying a G-Technology G-DRIVE for more money. Works really well. Costs twice as much, but is compatible with both Mac and Windows systems. Check out Amazon for the best prices! Hope this helps!!
224369
Well I had windows 7 so most likely windows8 will work and not sure for Mac
298147
With the built in utilities on Windows or Mac, you can easily format this drive to whatever you like. OS X for Mac or NTFS for Windows. Unfortunately, those can only be read by their respective operating systems. If I remember correctly, FAT32 can be read by either O/S, but it has some limitations like 4GB maximum file sizes. There is a driver by Paragon (I think it costs $20 if you want to do it legally) that allows Mac to read your NTFS drives or vice versa. This would be another option if you need your drive to operate with both O/Ss. BTW, all drives have this limitation, and all drives can be formatted. As they love to charge more for MAC stuff (presumably because MAC people think they are cool, sometimes are ignorant, but don't care about cost), I would always recommend buying a PC drive and reformatting it to MAC if necessary.
1842683
I may not be understanding the question entirely, but once I formatted the drive to Mac, I could edit and save basic documents to the drive. But my pc treats it like a read only drive. Hope that helps.
244510
you can format it for either or. If you formatted windows you'll only be able to read the files on a Mac. You won't be able to right to it from a Mac and vice versa.
1742646
Use the Mac OS included "Disk Utility" application. Choose the MacOS Extended format if you're Mac-only. Otherwise use FAT32 if you must share with windows.Note, if you want to use it with Time Machine you will need at least one partition to be MacOS Extended formatted.
543721
Yes. Your Mac will ask how you want to format the drive. You choose the format that works best in your environment.
730074
yes, it comes formatted as Fat32. It can be used as is or reformatted using the disk utility in OS X
361681
The one for the Mac, no - it's formatted for Mac only. If you get the Windows version, then it should work for both.
2258625
I use a Mac, but I am pretty sure it will work with windows. You might have to format it the first time you use it.
135685
I am an idiot- specifically, how do you format this for a Mac? Also, is it fine to do this, or should I buy a specific hard drive already formated or designed for Macs?
288400
Yes, you should be just fine. Just dont format your usb, or else all of your data will be wiped. Your mac should be able to use the usb just as fine as windows would
1668239
why does it have it be formatted if the software is supposed to work for both mac and pc ?
493021
What I've read on the Internet, if you reformat it, you can. The programs that are on it are of no use to Mac user. You might check with the software co., itself:Customer SupportNTI Corporationhttp://www.NTICorp.comClick here for contact information or call (949)421-0720 from 9AM to 6PM Pacific Timeand see if they have anything for the Apple stuff, but I doubt, never hurt to try, though. Anyway, this drive comes already formatted for Windows NTFS. The included works great with Windows XP. It doesn't seem to agree with Windows 7 but you can back your Windows 7 with the software that is part of Windows 7, with no problem.Hopefully, I answered several questions. What I've read on the Internet, if you reformat it, you can. The programs that are on it are of no use to Mac user. You might check with the software co., itself:Customer SupportNTI Corporationhttp://www.NTICorp.comClick here for contact information or call (949)421-0720 from 9AM to 6PM Pacific Timeand see if they have anything for the Apple stuff, but I doubt, never hurt to try, though. Anyway, this drive comes already formatted for Windows NTFS. The included works great with Windows XP. It doesn't seem to agree with Windows 7 but you can back your... » Read More What I've read on the Internet, if you reformat it, you can. The programs that are on it are of no use to Mac user. You might check with the software co., itself:Customer SupportNTI Corporationhttp://www.NTICorp.comClick here for contact information or call (949)421-0720 from 9AM to 6PM Pacific Timeand see if they have anything for the Apple stuff, but I doubt, never hurt to try, though. Anyway, this drive comes already formatted for Windows NTFS. The included works great with Windows XP. It doesn't seem to agree with Windows 7 but you can back your Windows 7 with the software that is part of Windows 7, with no problem.Hopefully, I answered several questions. « Show Less