Today I spoke with a coworker who mentioned the need to be able to read their USB flash drive on both their Apple desktop running OS X, and their other computer running Windows XP.
Below are the instructions I sent them on how to format the drive in Windows XP so that it can be read by both computers:
1. In Windows XP, insert your USB drive, then go into Start | Right click on “My Computer” and click Manage.
2. Go into Computer Management (Local) | Storage | Disk Management
3. Browse to the partition you want to format in the lower right hand part of the window, right click on it and select Format.
Please note that this will destroy all of the data on the partition. Please practice safe computing and back up your data prior to formatting the drive.
4. Finally, select FAT 32, name the volume and click OK.
5. One more friendly reminder that you will be erasing all of the data on the partition:
Click OK, and your drive will be formatted:
Now you can rest easy knowing that your bits can talk freely when placed in your DRM infested computer of choice.
