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To transfer files from a Mac to a Windows PC with an external hard drive, use a drive formatted as ExFAT for disks over 32 GB or MS-DOS (FAT) for disks 32 GB or less, copy files to it on the Mac, eject it, then copy them into a folder on the PC. Check the destination files before deleting the originals.
Check the drive before copying anything
If the drive already contains files, inspect its format before changing it. On the Mac, select the drive in Finder and choose File > Get Info; check the format shown in the information window. Apple identifies APFS and Mac OS Extended as Mac formats, while ExFAT and MS-DOS (FAT) are compatible with Windows. A Mac may read an NTFS drive but cannot write to it through Apple’s supported Disk Utility workflow. See Apple’s guidance for when a Mac can’t save files to an external drive.
- If the drive is already ExFAT or MS-DOS (FAT), and has enough free space, you can use it without reformatting.
- If it is NTFS and the Mac will not let you save files to it, use a format supported for both systems.
- Check that the drive has enough capacity for the files and that you can connect it to both computers.
Format the drive for Mac and Windows, if needed
Formatting is destructive: it deletes the files on the selected disk. Copy anything you want to keep to another location before proceeding. Apple’s Disk Utility instructions specify MS-DOS (FAT) for disks 32 GB or less and ExFAT for disks over 32 GB.
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- On the Mac, open Disk Utility.
- Choose View > Show All Devices.
- Select the intended external disk. Confirm you have selected the correct disk before continuing.
- Click Erase, choose ExFAT for a disk over 32 GB or MS-DOS (FAT) for a disk 32 GB or less, then confirm the erase.
Wait for Disk Utility to finish. Do not choose Erase merely because the Mac cannot write to the disk until you have backed up any files on it.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Copy the files from the Mac to the drive
- Connect the prepared drive to the Mac and open it in Finder.
- Select the files and folders to transfer, then copy them onto the external drive.
- Wait until the copy operation finishes before disconnecting anything.
- Eject the drive in Finder, then disconnect it.
Copy the files from the drive to the PC
- Connect the drive to the Windows PC and open it in File Explorer.
- Open the folder containing the files copied from the Mac. Select the files or folders you want, then copy them.
- Navigate to the destination folder on the PC and paste the files.
- Wait for copying to finish. The time depends on the number and size of the files.
- Open the destination folder and verify the transferred files are present and usable before deleting the source copies.
- Eject the external device in Windows before disconnecting it.
Microsoft documents this external-storage method for Windows 10 and Windows 11 in its file-transfer instructions. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025.
If the transfer does not work
The Mac sees the drive but will not save files
Check the drive’s available space and format. If it is NTFS, macOS may be able to read its files but Apple’s Disk Utility workflow does not support writing to it. Back up its contents elsewhere, then format it as ExFAT or MS-DOS (FAT) using the steps above.
Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
The drive already has files you need
Do not erase it until you have copied those files somewhere else. Formatting deletes the files on the disk.
The copy is taking a long time
Copy time varies with the number and size of the files. The cited guidance does not provide a fixed duration or speed benchmark; let the operation finish before ejecting the drive.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [Upgraded Version] - This external hard drive features a mirrored logo stripe combined with a striped anti-slip design, and the rounded corners of the casing make it easier to grip. The stripes also have a heat dissipation function, ensuring stable and fast data transfer.
- 【Ultra-thin and quiet】 - The motherboard adopts JMicron 578 noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- 【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers】 - Pairing this external hard drive with JMicron 578 solution USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 interfaces enables blazing-fast data transfer. It boasts theoretical read speeds of up to 125MB/s and write speeds of up to 103MB/s.
- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
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