External Hard Drive FAT32 4GB file size limit

[EDV]

Is there some type of software I can use on my External Hard Drive to enable NTFS? Currently is FAT32 and has a ridiculous 4 GB file size limit. Can't even copy and paste anything bigger than 4GB there. I'd prefer a solution that lets me keep the files I already have there intact.

 

[S.Blanchardon]

I don't know if that's possible.

You can always do as follow : backup your disk (how big is it ?) and then format it, either NTFS or exFAT for MAC/PC compatibility.

Cheers,
Steph.

 

[egproductions]

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-hardware/cant-format-usb-drive-in-ntfs-format/b6d01d15-c66a-4f25-83f4-401bfceb0f12

 

[sk810]

I would still backup your data, even though these methods say you wont have to format.
http://www.tweakandtrick.com/2012/02/convert-fat32-to-ntfs-file-system.html

 

[egproductions]

Sorry I re-read your post. No, you cannot keep your files in tact if you are going to be reformatting your drive to NTFS or exfat. You have to backup, format to a different file system, and then put the files back. The only way to keep it in tact is if you have un-partitioned space on your hard drive and you create a new partition in the appropriate file system with the remaining space.

 

[arniepix]

From what OS?

 

[sk810]

If your only going to use it on a PC, use NTFS. Mac, use it's Extended Journaled. ExFat will work on either, but it doesn't have the best recovery implementations like NTFS and Mac formats.
More info: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1509687

 

[arniepix]

You can also add NTFS support to Mac and Mac extended support to Windows. Linux should have support for both right out of the box (or download, really).

http://www.paragon-software.com/home/ntfs-mac/
http://www.mediafour.com/products/macdrive