Do you remember the time when using Linux was so difficult it would take days to get a single package installed because of lack of dependencies that were required? It’s a different time we live in today. Ubuntu is becoming a lot easier to use and manage.
Before Ubuntu 13.04 or even 12.04, the only way you would automatically mount devices was to use third-part tools or use the command line and edit fstab file. And if you didn’t know how to use the command line, then you were out of luck. Welcome to Ubuntu 13.04. Now mounting external storage devices is so easy, even grandma can do it.
This brief tutorial is going to show you how to use the Disks utility in Ubuntu 13.04 to format and mount external hard drives with NTFS partitions. It’s all GUI, and has nothing to do with the command line.
Disks let end-users view, manage and mount removable devices with ease in Linux systems, including Ubuntu. It’s an open source application that helps the average user manage external devices. With it, you can view local and removable devices, format disks and media, modify partition tables, access disk images, including ISO images and activate SMART feature on some drives.
It’s easy as Window’s disk management tool found in Windows Operating Systems. So, if you’ve been looking for a simple yet powerful disk management tool in Ubuntu, look no further than Disk.
To get started, with using Disks and management external storage devices, open Ubuntu Dash and search for Disk. Select it to open.
When it opens, select the drive you wish to manage then click the option gear wheel button on the top right to manage the device. If the device is already formatted using NTFS partition table then just mount it. If not, use the tool button to format the disk as NTFS as shown below.
After formatting it, click the gear wheel as shown below and select ‘Edit Mount Options’
Then tick the button to turn off Automatic Mount Options and enter the option you want. Here you can enter the Display Name of the device (what the device will be listed as), the Mount Point (where the device will be accessed), and the filesystem type. For Windows compatible devices, use ntfs-3g.
Save the information and you’re done. Remember to create a mount point to match what you specified on the above screen.
The default mount point in Ubuntu 13.04 is /media/<username>/ .
Restart your machine and the device should automatically mount at the location you specified.
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I mount external storage devices in Ubuntu 13.04 using Disks utility?
To mount external storage devices in Ubuntu 13.04 using Disks utility, open the Disks application from Ubuntu Dash, select the drive you want to manage, and click the gear wheel button to manage the device. If the device is already formatted with an NTFS partition, you can simply mount it.
What is the purpose of the Disks utility in Ubuntu 13.04?
The Disks utility in Ubuntu 13.04 is designed to help users view, manage, and mount removable devices with ease. It allows users to format disks and media, modify partition tables, access disk images, and activate the SMART feature on some drives.
Can I use the Disks utility in Ubuntu to manage local storage devices?
Yes, the Disks utility in Ubuntu can be used to manage both local and removable storage devices. It provides a user-friendly interface for tasks such as formatting disks, modifying partition tables, and accessing disk images.
Is the Disks utility in Ubuntu 13.04 similar to Windows disk management tool?
Yes, the Disks utility in Ubuntu 13.04 is similar to Windows disk management tool found in Windows Operating Systems. It offers a GUI-based approach to disk management, making it easier for users to manage external storage devices.
How can I format external hard drives with NTFS partitions using Disks in Ubuntu 13.04?
To format external hard drives with NTFS partitions using Disks in Ubuntu 13.04, open the Disks application, select the drive you want to format, and choose the format option to select NTFS. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the formatting process.
Does the Disks utility in Ubuntu support managing ISO images?
Yes, the Disks utility in Ubuntu supports managing ISO images. Users can access disk images, including ISO images, through the Disks application for tasks such as mounting and viewing disk contents.
Can I activate the SMART feature on drives using the Disks utility in Ubuntu?
Yes, the Disks utility in Ubuntu allows users to activate the SMART feature on some drives. This feature provides information about the health and performance of the drive, helping users monitor its condition.
What are the benefits of using the Disks utility for managing external storage devices in Ubuntu?
The benefits of using the Disks utility in Ubuntu for managing external storage devices include its user-friendly interface, support for formatting disks, modifying partition tables, accessing disk images, and activating the SMART feature. It simplifies the process of managing storage devices for Ubuntu users.