How to Move Files from Mac to Windows

Step by step

1. 1 min

   Format your external drive for compatibility

   Connect your drive to your Mac and open Disk Utility via Spotlight. Select your drive, click Erase, and choose ExFAT as the Format. This file system is natively readable and writable by both macOS and Windows.

   Note: Erasing will delete all data currently on the drive.
2. 2 min

   Copy files to the external drive

   Locate the files in Finder and drag them onto your mounted external drive. Wait for the copy operation to complete before ejecting. Always right-click the drive icon and select Eject before physically disconnecting the cable.

   Note: Use Command + C and Command + V to copy and paste if dragging fails.
3. 3 min

   Enable File Sharing for network transfers

   On macOS, navigate to System Settings > General > Sharing and toggle on File Sharing. Click the Info icon next to File Sharing, note the IP address listed under the status, and ensure the target user account has read access.

   Note: Ensure both computers are connected to the same local network.
4. 1 min

   Access the Mac share from Windows

   Open File Explorer on Windows and type \\ followed by the Mac IP address into the address bar. Press Enter and provide your Mac user credentials when prompted. You will see the shared folders available for file retrieval.

5. 2 min

   Utilize cross-platform cloud storage

   For smaller file sets, use a service like iCloud for Windows, Google Drive, or Dropbox. Install the client application on both machines and move your files into the designated sync folder. Once the status changes to synced, the files will appear on the Windows machine automatically.

   Note: Check upload speeds to estimate time requirements.