How to format external back up drive.?

[vim147]

I have a 1tb 2.5" external drive for my back up music albums. Which format should I choose to format it in?

I want it to work in my mac and also in my my other windows pc.

 

[CoastalOR]

If your Windows PC OS is Windows 7 or later, then use exfat. It should work for backup since it is readable and writeable by Mac & PC.

 

[Fishrrman]

If you're going to put important Mac files onto it, I suggest that you initialize it "for the Mac" using HFS+.

Things just work out better that way.

For cross-platform (Mac to PC) compatibility, use a DIFFERENT drive of some sort, such as a higher-capacity USB flash drive.

One last thought:
If the files you put on it are valuable, then you MUST also keep a copy of those files on ANOTHER drive.
One copy is not enough...