Transfer Files from Mac HDD to Windows?

[Rookie1986]

Hey Guys,

As part of my move back to Windows I will need to be able to transfer all of my media files from my Mac formatted hard drive over to my windows machine. Does anyone know he I would go about doing this because a few Google searches has just confused me more than anything else.

Thanks,
Rookie

[Unique]

http://www.catacombae.org/hfsx.html

or macdrive but you have to pay for that. just google HFS for windows or macdrive alternatives for more options

[Petherwin]

I'll be in the same boat as you soon Rookie. I'm guessing that like me, you will have a large number of files to move

2 ways I can think of to do this - directly connect your Mac and Windows pc or use an external hdd formatted as ExFat by your Mac.

I prefer the hdd method : Format the external hdd (or a partition) using Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility) and use the ExFat format. This format is usable by both Mac and Windows.

Then copy your files from your Mac onto this external hdd. It'll take a while. Once complete simply plug it into your Windows pc and copy them over again.

There are, however, file size limitations (4gb max file size I believe, could be wrong).

It's also possible to network the 2 computers and set them up for file sharing. Check out this link (there are also other links contained in there which may help). http://support.apple.com/kb/PH7116

[Unique]

for the networking, i think the computers still need to read the file systems each has. so the windows machine will still need to read the file system that the mac uses, such as HFS. unless the physical aspect of moving the HDD is a problem, there's no need to create another disc to copy to first as that will slow down the process

i have mac and pc and each can read and write each others files with the right utilities, and i can do so over the network too

[scaryjim]

I'd've thought this is as simple as creating a shared drive on the Windows computer then dropping all the necessary files into it from the Mac, no? If it's an SMB compatible share the file system shouldn't make any difference (after all, my Win 2000 clients used to be fine reading ext3 volumes shared via samba back in the day...).

[Rookie1986]

Thanks for the replies guys,

I've opted for using the home sharing function because it seems easier then trying to get my Windows PC to recognise my iMacs external media drive. Guess I need to find something to do while it transfers all of my media

Also, on my new Windows system I have installed iTunes on to its own hdd but when I've started the home share I've noticed that although iTunes is installed to my media hdd it has put the music on my boot drive (lucky I opted for that bigger 128GB drive) but once I move my movies etc over the boot drive won't be big enough, is there any easy way move the files over and to get all of my future media files to go straight to my media hdd?

Rookie

[BerZerk]

So easy get a copy Tuxera NTFS for Mac, or connect to the Windows machine via SMB...best with Giga Ethernet.