Formatting a Partition NTFS on Mac

Hi, I really wanted to try out the demo of Windows 8 on my iMac. Only problem is, Windows needs an NTFS filesystem, and won't format my bootcamp partition NTFS for me. How can I format this partition for free, or cheaply from my iMac (without using FAT32)?

Thanks a lot, -Dylan

ntfs help windows partition bootcamp mac

asked Sep 22 '11 at 17:18

FutureInventions
110●2●2●8

3 Answers:

oldest newest most voted

All you have to do is reformat the partition to NTFS during the Windows 8 setup process. When you're selecting where to install Windows, you'll want to select your new partition (labelled BOOTCAMP), click on Drive options (Advanced) and choose to format to NTFS. (make sure you format only the partition, NOT the entire drive!!!)

answered Sep 22 '11 at 17:39

Griff
1.4k●1●5●25

Do you have to right click? I looked everywhere on the little menu there, and it just says in a corner that it needs to be formatted NTFS. I'll check again, and look harder!

(Sep 22 '11 at 17:45) FutureInventions

I just installed Windows 7 on my MacBook Pro yesterday. It told me the BOOTCAMP partition wasn't NTFS formatted, then a button showed up below it that said "format". That did the trick. I don't know if Windows 8 is different.

And in Bootcamp Assistant (before you make the partition) it lets you download a Windows update for the keyboard and trackpad, maybe magic mouse, I don't know. But anyway I burned that to a disc and when I got Windows going I didn't have right click or 2-finger scrolling until I installed the software from that disc. Now it works fine.

I'm no expert, just letting you know what I learned based on my experiences. Hope it helps!

answered Sep 22 '11 at 19:49

sfrancis928
2.6k●33●44●79

Thanks a lot! I checked again, and sure enough I missed the "advance options" button! :) Got it installed!

answered Sep 22 '11 at 19:56

FutureInventions
110●2●2●8

Glad to hear!

Just a reminder: That version of Windows 8 is just a developer preview, so it is considered feature incomplete.

(Sep 22 '11 at 20:17) Griff

I know, I thought it would be really cool to try out. It seems like it has a really clumsy UI so far, but I still really like how they used Windows phone 7 a bit in it.

Any idea when this "runs out"? Will it do so before it is released? Thanks.

(Sep 22 '11 at 20:23) FutureInventions

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