How to erase and reformat using Windows
- Press the Windows Symbol + R on your keyboard to open the Run box.
- Type diskpart, and press Enter. A command window will open.
- Type list disk and press Enter.
- Choose the drive by entering select disk x; for example "select disk 2" if it is listed as disk 2 (make sure to select the correct drive!). Press Enter.
- Type clean and press Enter.
- The drive's formatting will be removed. It will say "Successful" upon completion.
- Type convert gpt and press Enter.
- Type create part pri and press Enter.
- Type format fs=ntfs quick and press Enter.*
- Type assign and press Enter. It will say "Successful" upon completion.
Note: Select exFAT if you will be using the drive with both Windows & Mac.
How to format a drive using Mac OS
- Connect the drive to your computer.
- Open Disk Utility. (Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility). Click View > Show All Devices.
- From the list on the left, click on the external drive (not the indented item underneath).
- Click the 'Erase' tab at the top of the Disk Utility window.
- Enter a name for the drive and select 'Mac OS Extended (Journaled)' or 'APFS' from the Format drop down menu.*
- Select 'GUID' from the Scheme drop down menu.
- Click the 'Erase' button. You will be presented with an 'Are you Sure' dialog. Confirm to complete the action.
Note: Select exFAT if you will be using the drive with both Windows & Mac.