Use Time Machine on NTFS drive with data already on it

[PhazonUK]

I have NEVER used Time Machine in the 3 years I've owned a Mac, but now I finally need to use it.
I have an NTFS drive with about 50GB of important files on it. Am I able to use that as a Time Machine drive and keep all of the data stored on it without having to partition the drive?

 

[GGJstudios]

I have NEVER used Time Machine in the 3 years I've owned a Mac, but now I finally need to use it.
I have an NTFS drive with about 50GB of important files on it. Am I able to use that as a Time Machine drive and keep all of the data stored on it without having to partition the drive?

Time Machine will not back up to an NTFS drive.

Format A Hard Drive Using Disk Utility (which is in your /Applications/Utilities folder)

Choose the appropriate format:

HFS+ (Hierarchical File System, a.k.a. Mac OS Extended (Journaled) Don't use case-sensitive)

• Read/Write HFS+ from native Mac OS X
• Required for Time Machine or Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper! backups of Mac OS X system files.
  [*]To Read/Write HFS+ from Windows, Install MacDrive
  [*]To Read HFS+ (but not Write) from Windows, Install HFSExplorer
• Maximum file size: 8EiB
• Maximum volume size: 8EiB
• Mac OS X: Mac OS Extended format (HFS Plus) volume and file limits
• You can use this format if you only use the drive with Mac OS X, or use it for backups of your Mac OS X internal drive, or if you only share it with one Windows PC (with MacDrive installed on the PC)

NTFS (Windows NT File System)

• Read/Write NTFS from native Windows.
• Read only NTFS from native Mac OS X
  [*]To Read/Write/Format NTFS from Mac OS X, here are some alternatives:
  • For Mac OS X 10.4 or later (32 or 64-bit), install Paragon (approx $20) (Best Choice for Lion)
  • For 32-bit Mac OS X, install NTFS-3G for Mac OS X (free) (does not work in 64-bit mode)
  • For 64-bit Snow Leopard, read this: MacFUSE for 64-bit Snow Leopard
  • Some have reported problems using Tuxera (approx $36).
  • Native NTFS support can be enabled in Snow Leopard and Lion, but is not advisable, due to instability.
• AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule do not support NTFS
• Maximum file size: 16 TB
• Maximum volume size: 256TB
• You can use this format if you routinely share a drive with multiple Windows systems.

exFAT (FAT64)

• Supported in Mac OS X only in 10.6.5 or later.
• Not all Windows versions support exFAT. See disadvantages.
• exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table)
• AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule do not support exFAT
• Maximum file size: 16 EiB
• Maximum volume size: 64 ZiB
• You can use this format if it is supported by all computers with which you intend to share the drive. See "disadvantages" for details.

FAT32 (File Allocation Table)

• Read/Write FAT32 from both native Windows and native Mac OS X.
  [*]Maximum file size: 4GB.
• Maximum volume size: 2TB
• You can use this format if you share the drive between Mac OS X and Windows computers and have no files larger than 4GB.

 

[bmouthboyo]

Sorry to dig this old topic up but it refers to the exact problem I am having so thought would make use of it.

I have a 1TB My Passport that I would like to be able to use for Time Machine backups but also ideally an external HDD that MAC and Windows can read / write. Is this at all possible or do I need to render the entire 1TB to MAC time machine? Partitioning not an option?

Thanks

 

[GGJstudios]

Sorry to dig this old topic up but it refers to the exact problem I am having so thought would make use of it.

I have a 1TB My Passport that I would like to be able to use for Time Machine backups but also ideally an external HDD that MAC and Windows can read / write. Is this at all possible or do I need to render the entire 1TB to MAC time machine? Partitioning not an option?

Yes, you can partition the drive with one partition in HFS+ format and one in NTFS format.

 

[Daramb]

MAC OS with NTFS works thru server

I have working: MAC OS making backup
thru TIME MACHINE on an NTFS formatted drive(Lacie) which is connected to
a Synology linux server.
The Macbook connects wireless to the synology thru a router.
Read and write works.
Regards.