Seagate Expansion STKP12000400 12 TB Portable Hard Drive - 3.5" External - Black

The Seagate Expansion STKP12000400 12 TB Desktop External Hard Drive is your straightforward storage expansion solution for work, media, and backups. With a vast, scalable capacity and a simple, plug-and-play setup, it is designed to work seamlessly with both Windows PCs and Macs, ensuring you can protect memories and projects without the constraints of cloud services or complex RAID configurations. This 3.5-inch desktop drive is built to endure long-term use, delivering reliable performance, consistent data access, and a quiet operation that fits neatly on a desk or in a media cabinet. Whether you’re backing up your entire photo archive, archiving high‑definition video, or maintaining a large game library, the Expansion drive makes it easy to organize, retrieve, and secure your files while freeing space on your computer for speed-focused tasks.

• 12 TB of dependable storage — Abundant capacity to store millions of photos, days of 4K video, entire movie collections, and multiple generations of game libraries. This expansive space helps you consolidate files in a single, easily accessible location and simplifies long-term backup strategies for both personal and professional use.
• USB 3.0 connectivity for fast transfers — Take advantage of high-speed data movement with USB 3.0 (Gen 1) for rapid file transfers, large backups, and smooth media editing workflows. The connection is widely compatible with most PCs and Macs, ensuring broad usability across devices you already own.
• Plug-and-play simplicity — No software to install and no complicated setup steps. Just connect the drive to your computer, apply power, and your system recognizes the new volume automatically, so you can start copying files or configuring backups right away.
• Cross-platform compatibility with simple formatting options — Designed for Windows and Mac environments. Out of the box, the drive is formatted for Windows; Mac users can reformat to enable full read/write access, letting you share files seamlessly across operating systems without hassle.
• Reliable hardware with dedicated power — This desktop external hard drive uses a 3.5-inch HDD inside a sturdy enclosure and includes an external AC adapter for reliable power during long transfers and continuous backups. Its desktop form factor minimizes vibration and movement, helping maintain data integrity during use.

Technical Details of Seagate Expansion STKP12000400

• Capacity: 12 TB
• Interface: USB 3.0 (USB 3.2 Gen 1 compatible, USB-A)
• Drive Type: External desktop hard drive (3.5-inch)
• Power: External AC adapter required
• Operating System Compatibility: Windows and Mac; preformatted for Windows NTFS with Mac requiring reformat for full read/write access
• Package contents: Seagate Expansion desktop drive, USB 3.0 cable, power adapter, quick start guide

How to install Seagate Expansion STKP12000400

• Unbox the drive and place it near your computer and a power outlet for convenient setup.
• Connect the included power adapter and plug it into an electrical outlet to provide stable power for the drive.
• Attach the USB 3.0 cable to the drive and to a free USB-A port on your PC or Mac.
• Power on the computer if it’s not already on. The new drive should appear in Windows File Explorer or Mac Finder as a removable or external volume.
• Decide how you want to use the drive: you can start transferring files immediately, or format the drive for optimal Mac OS compatibility and configure automatic backups with your preferred software.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: Do I need to format this drive before using it?

  A: On Windows, you can begin using the drive immediately after it’s connected. On Mac, the drive may be formatted for Windows (NTFS) by default, which allows read access but may require reformatting for full read/write support. Disk Utility or other tools can format it to APFS, HFS+, or other Mac-friendly formats if needed.

• Q: Is this drive compatible with both Windows and macOS?

  A: Yes. It’s designed for cross-platform storage. For optimal use on Mac, you may reformat the drive to a Mac-compatible format; Windows users can keep NTFS for seamless backups and file management.

• Q: Does the drive come with backup software?

  A: Seagate Expansion drives emphasize simple, reliable storage and are compatible with built-in OS backup tools. You can use Windows Backup and Restore or macOS Time Machine, or choose third‑party backup software according to your needs.

• Q: What’s included in the box?

  A: You’ll typically find the 12 TB Expansion desktop drive, a USB 3.0 cable, an external power adapter, and a quick start guide to help you begin quickly.

• Q: What warranty protection does Seagate offer?

  A: Seagate Expansion drives generally come with a limited warranty (often two years, depending on region and retailer terms). Check the warranty card and local terms for exact coverage.