PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchFor a SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD you want to use with both Windows and macOS, format it as exFAT. Back up any files you need first: formatting erases the drive’s contents. SanDisk warns that “The process is Data Destructive and cannot be undone.”
Before you format: back up your files
Formatting erases data on the selected volume. Copy anything you want to keep to another location, and check the selected disk carefully before confirming. If preserving the existing files is essential, do not proceed with these steps.
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Choose the right format
| Format | Best suited to | Compatibility notes |
|---|---|---|
| exFAT | Using the SSD for read and write on both Windows and Mac | SanDisk recommends exFAT for its cross-platform workflow. Apple lists exFAT for Windows-compatible disks over 32 GB. SanDisk’s instructions; Apple’s Windows disk guidance. |
| NTFS | A Windows-focused workflow | macOS may read NTFS, but Apple says Disk Utility does not support formatting it; native writing may not be available. Apple’s format guide. |
| APFS or Mac OS Extended | A Mac-only workflow, when appropriate | These are Mac formats; ordinary Windows compatibility is lost when you reformat the SSD to one of them. Apple’s format guide; SanDisk’s instructions. |
| MS-DOS (FAT) | Windows-compatible volumes of 32 GB or less, according to Apple | Apple recommends exFAT for Windows-compatible disks over 32 GB. Apple’s Windows disk guidance. |
For the Extreme Portable SSD used across Windows and Mac, exFAT is the practical choice. The available guidance does not establish one universal partition scheme for every setup; SanDisk specifies Master Boot Record for the Mac workflow below.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Format the SSD on a Mac
- Connect the SSD and open Disk Utility.
- Choose View > Show All Devices.
- In the sidebar, select the external SanDisk disk. Verify its identity so you do not erase another connected drive.
- Click Erase.
- Set Format to ExFAT. For the workflow in its cross-platform instructions, SanDisk specifies Master Boot Record as the scheme.
- Enter a volume name, click Erase, and then click Done.
Apple’s Disk Utility guide identifies exFAT as suitable for Windows use on disks over 32 GB. For details on available formats, see Apple’s file-system format guide.
#1 Best Overall
- Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(3)
- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C
Format the SSD on Windows
SanDisk’s Windows workflow uses Disk Management. Windows interface wording can vary by release; follow the choices shown for your selected disk and volume.
- Open Disk Management and identify the SanDisk SSD by checking the disk and volume information. Make sure you have the correct external drive.
- If needed, delete the existing volume and create a New Simple Volume. Deleting a volume removes its data.
- Follow the wizard to assign a drive letter.
- Choose exFAT as the file system. SanDisk specifies an Allocation unit size of 1024; this is SanDisk’s instruction for its workflow, not a universal Windows requirement.
- Enter a volume label, leave Perform a quick format selected, and finish the wizard.
SanDisk’s step-by-step instructions are in its Windows and macOS exFAT formatting guide.
Rank #2
- NEARLY 2X FASTER THAN OUR PREVIOUS GENERATION(8) – move 1,000 high-res photos in under 60 seconds(6) with up to 2000MB/s transfer speeds(2).
- IP65 RATING AND UP TO 3M DROP PROTECTION(3) – protects against spills and drops.
- POCKET-SIZED – fits easily in pockets and small bags.
- SPACE TO OWN YOUR AI CONTENT – speed and capacity to download your high-res clips and photo edits.
- 256-BIT AES ENCRYPTION(4) – helps keep private files secure with password protection.
If your Mac can read the SSD but cannot save files
Check the drive’s format. An NTFS-formatted SSD may be readable on a Mac but not writable through macOS’s native support. If you need ordinary read-and-write access on both platforms, back up the drive and reformat it as exFAT using the steps above. Reformatting erases its contents.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
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Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Solid state performance with up to 800MB/s read speeds in a portable drive. (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Back up your content and memories on a storage solution that fits seamlessly into your mobile lifestyle.
- Take it with you on your adventures—up to two-meter drop protection means this durable drive can take a beating. (Based on internal testing.)
- Secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind thanks to the tough rubber hook.
- From Sandisk, a brand professional photographers trust to take on assignments.
Rank #3
- NEARLY 2X FASTER THAN OUR PREVIOUS GENERATION(8) – move 1,000 high-res photos in under 60 seconds(6) with up to 2000MB/s transfer speeds(2).
- IP65 RATING AND UP TO 3M DROP PROTECTION(3) – protects against spills and drops.
- POCKET-SIZED – fits easily in pockets and small bags.
- SPACE TO OWN YOUR AI CONTENT – speed and capacity to download your high-res clips and photo edits.
- 256-BIT AES ENCRYPTION(4) – helps keep private files secure with password protection.
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