Merge NTFS logical partitions on macOS
Dear expert,
I have an external drive formatted with NTFS extension. This drive divided into 3 logical drive as you can see below.
I sold my windows PC and I do not have access to any windows PC.
I am looking for a way to merge these logical drives into one drive then use it as backup on TimeMachine.
I have an external drive formatted with NTFS extension. This drive divided into 3 logical drive as you can see below.
I sold my windows PC and I do not have access to any windows PC.
I am looking for a way to merge these logical drives into one drive then use it as backup on TimeMachine.
Alex
I assume you don't need the data on there, if that's the case delete the partitions and then recreate them in a single large partition
I had the same question as Alex. Delete and repartition if you don’t care about the data.
However, assuming you want to keep the data...
MacOS should mount NTFS partitions for reading just fine, but often limits what you can do with them. Often, they appear locked, so you can read by not write any changes. I use NTFS for Mac by Paragon Software (https://www.paragon-software.com/us/home/ntfs-mac/ and it is only $20). This will mount NTFS partitions correctly and give you other capabilities for NTFS partitions, including booting into Windows if on a partition (some limits however.)
Once done, if you have enough room on one partition to move all the file to, then I would do that, and just delete the other two partitions and merge them into one large one. SInce they are on the same physical drive, they will always show up when connected, so I see little advantage to having them all in one partition anyway.
This will give you full access to the drive, so you may not even have to change the partitions at all.
If you have other reasons for that need, please let us know.
However, assuming you want to keep the data...
MacOS should mount NTFS partitions for reading just fine, but often limits what you can do with them. Often, they appear locked, so you can read by not write any changes. I use NTFS for Mac by Paragon Software (https://www.paragon-software.com/us/home/ntfs-mac/ and it is only $20). This will mount NTFS partitions correctly and give you other capabilities for NTFS partitions, including booting into Windows if on a partition (some limits however.)
Once done, if you have enough room on one partition to move all the file to, then I would do that, and just delete the other two partitions and merge them into one large one. SInce they are on the same physical drive, they will always show up when connected, so I see little advantage to having them all in one partition anyway.
This will give you full access to the drive, so you may not even have to change the partitions at all.
If you have other reasons for that need, please let us know.
ASKER
Thank you for your reply and sorry for the late response.
I have installed a trial version of the stated software and I am still unable to merge the three NTFS partition on macOS.
I do not care about the data. My only concern is to merge the logical partitions.
I have installed a trial version of the stated software and I am still unable to merge the three NTFS partition on macOS.
I do not care about the data. My only concern is to merge the logical partitions.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Ok, if you don’t care about the data, then just launch Disk Utility, select the drive in the left column, and click on Erase at the top (button). For Mac, I suggest MacOS Extended Journaled. That will erase the disk and initialize it as a Mac drive.
In that case, you do not need that software I mentioned. That was only if you wanted to keep the data.
In that case, you do not need that software I mentioned. That was only if you wanted to keep the data.
ASKER
Thank you guys.