NTFS ( unforesightful of new technology file cabinet system ) is a default file system for Windows . It was first put in in Windows NT and over the year it has only got good . It supports all the New features like encoding , journaling ( reduce data loss ) , file cabinet permit , compression etc etc .
Since Windows is still the most popular desktop bone , most external HDD comes preformatted with NTFS . This signify you could employ them on Windows with no job .
But on MAC , NTFS intensity becomes read only i.e. you’re able to only copy datum from extraneous HDD to your MAC but not the other way around .
Now you could always format your hard driveway to FAT32 / exFAT and make it compatible on both platform or even apply samba server to share file between MAC and Windows .
But , if you are pass to use your international drive mostly on Windows , then it does make common sense to keep NTFS and sometimes when you want to use it on MAC , utilize a software .
So here are three workarounds , on how to utilize an NTFS mass with MAC
Use NTFS Drive on MAC
#1 Terminal
Now you may not acknowledge , but modern MAC O support NTFS volume ( both take and write ) However , this feature is disabled by nonpayment . Why ? We will come to that after ,
If you need to turn on the reenforcement for NTFS , you may easily do it by editing a small file .
1 . merely introduce your hard thrust , in your MAC note down its drive name .
2 . Now press cmd + space to launch spotlights then typecast in terminal and hit enter .
3 . In final copy paste the following command .
sudo nano /etc / fstab
With this command , you are telling the super user to start the fstab file using the nano text editor . You will have to enter the login password .
4 . Next , a new windowpane will afford , though you wo n’t see anything on it . just paste the following bid .
LABEL = DRIVE_NAME none ntfs rw , motorcar , nobrowse
Replace the drive name with the hard campaign name . And save change . To do that , first type CTRL + group O ( o for Orange River ) to compose data and CTRL + x to drop dead . And that ’s it .
5 . resume your MAC and under finder , go to the “ Go - > Go to Folder ” and typecast in /Volumes . You will your NTFS aim .
Verdict : This is the most simple method . However , I do n’t prefer it , neither it ’s recommend by apple ( and that ’s why it ’s enshroud ) because it ’s observational and masses who have hear this , reported an error . Also , since there are other resolution , why to take the hazard .
#2 NTFS -3g (recommended)
This is the most pop method , and also the one I am using right now . Instead of tinkering the substance system configurations via pole , you may set up a free computer software like NTFs-3 g.
The development of NTFS 3 g has been hold on from a long clip . But , you could still get it work by installing few extra package .
Well on the nose , you have to install 3 computer program one by one . I have this pathfinder on MACbreaker , and here is the summary of the unconscious process , for detail check out the original clause .
First , start with fuse for OS X — this cater a model for NTFS financial support .
Download it fromhereand put in it like you unremarkably do . Under the installation case make certain to check the “ MacFUSE Compatibility Layer ” . Once done restart the organisation .
secondly install theNTFS 3 g. This is the actual software that will be responsible for providing write support to your Indian file .
Finally , installfuse Wait . Since NTFS-3 g has not been updated from 2010 , you will see an computer error likethis , when the system boots up . So it will remove that .
So essentially you download all this 3 software and install them one by one in the same order . It ’s recommended you reboot your organisation after every install . And once you ’re done , plug in your hard drive and now you may use it both read and write access .
Verdict : The good part is it ’s gratis , secure and stable . Using it for a while , never had any problem . And the regretful part is , you have to instal three different packages thus making it impractical if you want to stress it on your friend computer .
#3 Paragon or Textra (Paid)
It ’s exchangeable to NTFS-3 g , but you only have to instal one software system . Also , since this is pay variant , microbe are fixed on a regular basis and computer software is more static than NTFS-3 g.
But this stability do come with a cost . Paragon($19 ) andTextra($24 ) are expensive and come with a license for a individual computer . Though there is a trial interlingual rendition which you may try for liberal .
Verdict : Me personally , I did n’t try their service as I had no trouble with NTFS-3 g. However judging from the reviews online , for professional use these are good .
Conclusion
For general utilisation , NTFS-3 g is a good solution . NTFS is the most stable file system for windows and with drivers like NTFS-3 g you’re able to get it lick easily on MAC .
However , if you work with multiple MAC computers then it ’s not a practiced approximation to instal NTFS-3 GB on your friends computer . Neither is pay each clip or using a terminal . So in such case , you may want to look towards another file organization like exFAT — which is like NTFS but work with both MAC and Windows .