Anyone have issues with GPT formatting of HDD 4tb or higher?

WD Internal Drives Internal Drives
1

I’m looking at purchasing a WD Black 4tb internal HDD and was wondering if anyone has had any issues ( short term or long term ) with the GPT formatting to access all 4tb? I’ve heard that there are a few things that can go wrong and was looking for some input from actual users. BTW, I’m using an older Windows 7 desktop.

Thanks in advance.

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GPT (GUID Partition Table) is used for formatting/partition large drives over 2TB

there should be no issue using GPT to format the full capacity of a 4TB drive.

But, if you intend to install an Operating System on the 4TB Hard drive and boot to it … your older Windows 7 Desktop must support UEFI Firmware.

If it doesn’t, then you have a problem. (you’ll be limited to 2TB)

But, if you intend to use the 4TB internally just for additional storage and not a boot drive, then there shouldn’t be an issue.

3

Thanks for the response. I do know that in GPT formatting, I can’t install an OS. My question was really about more possible long term issues with these larger HDD’s. I read some " possible " problems on the Microsoft site such as after formatting, the computer only reads the additional capacity and not the original 2 ( their example was a 3tb only showing 1tb ). it also stated that sometimes the PC will just stop recognizing the drive all together. I was just wondering how likely these scenarios were, or if any WD users ever experienced those, or any other issues. Thanks again for reaching out!