SAMSUNG external SSD drive T7 2 TB Blue (MU-PC2T0H/WW) USB 3.2 Gen2

Asus S5606 · Mar 15, 2025

I have just bought the T7. The main purpose is to keep disk images for restoring my laptop, Asus S16 S5606 running on Windows 11 homen formatted NTFS.
I read that T7 comes preformatted in exfat and with a firmware.
Iplan to create in T7 a folder for a disk backup made by Hasleo and another folder to backup my files. Then I would also store in the root of T7 a disk image for recovery made by windows.
So, how should I best proceed to ensure an eventual restore success? I do not plan to use the encryption.
Just use T7 as it comes, with ex fat format even when my C:drive is formatted NFTS, and use the firmware as it comes, just updating it?
I format T7 NTFS and then use it without any firmware? Or use it with what firmware exactly (link please)?
Many thanks

DennisG · Mar 15, 2025

I have the same question. I have a Samsung T5 which is a great drive. I use Macrium for backups. However, if I boot from my Macrium rescue usb then how do I decrypt the T5 to restore the image ? At the moment I use the T5 for file backup and have another drive formatted NTFS for system images. I think the answer is to reformat your T7 as NTFS.

antspants · Mar 15, 2025

Asus S5606 said:
Just use T7 as it comes, with ex fat format even when my C:drive is formatted NFTS, and use the firmware as it comes, just updating it?

I’m not a fan of exFAT. If it were me, unless you’re going to use the drive for cross-platform use (like macOS, and Linux) I’d format it to NTFS, don’t worry about anything else and start you backup.

However, using exFAT will cause no issues to my knowladge.

exFAT:

Pros:
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works well on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it ideal for sharing data between different operating systems.
- Lightweight:Designed for portable storage devices, offering faster performance and better memory management.
  - No File Size Limit: Supports very large files, exceeding the 4GB limit of FAT32.
- Cons:
  - - Lacks Advanced Features: Doesn't have journaling, security features, or encryption like NTFS.
    - Not Native to macOS: While macOS can read exFAT drives, it requires third-party software to write to them.

NTFS:

- Pros:
  - - Advanced Features: Includes journaling, file-level security, and compression, making it suitable for internal drives and data integrity.
    - Faster Performance: Generally faster than exFAT for internal drives.
    - Default for Windows: The standard file system for Windows operating systems.
- Cons:
  - - Limited Compatibility: Primarily designed for Windows, with limited support on other operating systems.
    - Requires Third-Party Software: macOS requires third-party software to write to NTFS drives.

In Summary:

- Use exFAT for:
  Portable drives, external hard drives, USB sticks, and SD cards that need to be used across different operating systems.
- Use NTFS for:
  Internal drives, Windows-only storage, and when advanced features like journaling and security are needed.

MisterEd · Mar 15, 2025

I have a 4TB Samsung T7 Shield.

The Samsung T7 comes with built-in firmware. It needs the firmware to communicate with Windows 11.

To check for the firmware version and update it if needed you use the Samsung Magician Software.

1. If you run Magician then you should see the T7 SSD. If not then click on SAMSUNG Magician at the upper left. Magician should then re-scan the drives.

2. You should then see the T7 SSD. Just click on its tab to select it. Click on Update at the lower left to check for Software/Firmware updates.

3. If there is a firmware update for the T7 SSD then click on Update to download and install it.

The Security for the T7 SSD is disabled by default. You can change that if you want. BTW, I have never used this.

If you want to enable the Security Mode you can select it.

Asus S5606 · Mar 15, 2025

So best options:;
I format T7 NTFS,
I must download & install the magician software (installer version 8.2.0.880) because without any firmware I will not be able to use properly the T7 for the purposes above in my question, right?
I do not need to use anything of magician apart from update firmware, I just do the images using windows and Hasleo. For backups I just copy/paste folders, right?

MisterEd · Mar 16, 2025

Asus S5606 said:
So best options:;
I format T7 NTFS,
I must download & install the magician software (installer version 8.2.0.880) because without any firmware I will not be able to use properly the T7 for the purposes above in my question, right?
I do not need to use anything of magician apart from update firmware, I just do the images using windows and Hasleo. For backups I just copy/paste folders, right?

I mainly use Magician for updating the firmware. I use other software to check the health of the SSDs and test their speeds.

Firmware was installed in the T7 when it was manufactured. Otherwise it wouldn't even work at all.

I bought my T7 Shield last October. I don't know when it was manufactured. Apparently there has been a firmware update since it was manufactured.

Important! Don't interrupt Magician while it is updating the firmware. If you do then you will brick the T7.

The same goes true for updating the BIOS on your computer. Don't interrupt it when it is being updated.

I just copy files and folders to the Samsung T7. I only use it for temporary storage.

I use an external hard drive to back up my laptop. For that I use Acronis True Image to back up important files every day and whole disks once a week.

My laptop used to have 2 x 1TB SSDs. I replaced those with 2 x 2 TB SSDs. I used Acronis to clone the original SSDs to the new ones.

Helmut · Mar 16, 2025

Just use your T7 or T5 drive as is, just make folders for your Image files and other folders for other things.
Best not to complicate things.

"I just do the images using windows and Hasleo. For backups I just copy/paste folders, right?"
Yes.

I have Macrium and Hasleo image files, and other folders for File History, documents, drivers etc stored on a couple of NAS boxes one is formatted in EXT4 and the other is BTRFS.

It does not matter what the filing system is, the Image files are just files.

I presume they use exFAT for a bit wider compatibility.

Updating Firmware, testing with Samsung Magician is a different subject, not essential.

Asus S5606 · Mar 16, 2025

Yes it comes exFat, and with old firmware, but I read on Samsung site that magician firmware can be installed on T7.
I have downloaded both firmwares just in case
So then, for my purposes,
a) I keep the original format (exFat) and old firmware or
b) I format it to NTFS and install magician? without risks T7 will no longer work?

antspants · Mar 16, 2025

Asus S5606 said:
I format it to NTFS and install magician? without risks T7 will no longer work?

I have never in my life had an external drive cease to operate because I made the decision to format it as NTFS. As I do with all of them.

DennisG · Mar 17, 2025

antspants said:
I have never in my life had an external drive cease to operate because I made the decision to format it as NTFS. As I do with all of them.

I just double checked my T5. I formatted it NTFS ages ago and it works fine. I also turned off security and it is recognized when I boot from my Macrium usb rescue disk so I can recover the image I created previously without worrying about the password. I guess it would be the same if you use Hasleo.

SAMSUNG external SSD drive T7 2 TB Blue (MU-PC2T0H/WW) USB 3.2 Gen2

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