Practice you need to transfer files from Mac to Windows and vice-versa? You tin can take a few different approaches, but you can easily do a Mac to Windows or PC to Mac file transfer using both operating systems' native tools.

Alternatively, there are a few 3rd-party solutions worth checking out. Below, we'll explain how to transfer files from Mac to Windows and vice-versa.

How to Transfer Files From Mac to Windows PC

The most obvious manner to transfer files from Mac to Windows is to employ the congenital-in functions that both operating systems offering.

All the same, this has one significant drawback. The process volition only work if both the Mac and Windows computers are on the aforementioned local network. If they aren't, you tin can skip alee to the section on third-party solutions beneath.

Gear up File Sharing on a Mac

You lot'll demand to tweak some settings to share files between a Mac and PC. First, you demand to allow your Mac to share its files. Follow these steps to do this:

Click on the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen. Choose Organisation Preferences > Sharing. And then, enable the checkbox adjacent to File Sharing in the left console.

file sharing pane mac

Click on the Options button and, from the window that appears, enable the checkbox next to Share files and folders using SMB. In macOS Big Sur, Apple dropped the ability to share volumes via AFP. Although Catalina retained this power, you could not share APFS-formatted volumes over AFP.

In the Windows File Sharing section below, enable the checkbox alongside each user whose files you want to share. Enter the users' passwords and click Washed.

share files and folders through SMB protocol

When you're sharing files with Windows computers, your Mac stores the users' passwords less deeply. Upon completion, nosotros recommend you deselect the user checkboxes.

You'll at present be back on the Sharing window. Next, yous need to choose which folders and users you're going to share with your Windows calculator. Click the Plus (+) and Minus (–) buttons below Shared Folders to arrange your preferences.

One time you lot take shared a folder, review the users' permissions and groups that should have admission to the data in the Shared Folders list.

Remember that all network access is controlled past the reckoner with the shared resources (in this case, it's your Mac); therefore, you must understand what Mac permissions have been practical to a folder. Finally, you demand to note your Mac's IP address. Yous will encounter this beneath the File Sharing: On message.

Access Mac Files on Windows

Now it's time to head to your Windows computer. Follow the instructions below to transfer files from Mac to Windows:

Open File Explorer. In the address bar at the tiptop of the window, blazon \\ followed by your Mac's IP address. When you're washed, it should await something like this: \\192.168.1.68. A new window will pop up asking for a username and password. Enter the user credentials exactly as they appear on your Mac.

access mac files on windows

File Explorer will display any folders and users you lot've added to your Mac's Shared Folders and Shared Users lists. You lot tin can map that folder as a network drive to move, edit, and copy folders similar any other Windows folder.

Map Network Drive

Mapping a network folder makes it appear to other apps that the folder is office of your reckoner. Windows assigns a drive to the mapped folder, and you'll meet it as a drive in the File Explorer.

Right-click the shared folder and click Map network drive. Select a bulldoze from the Drive list. You can cull whatever letter that'southward not already in use.

map network drive file explorer

The Folder box contains all the pre-filled information. Don't forget to check Reconnect at sign-in if you want Windows to connect to this shared folder at the commencement of each login session automatically.

assign a drive to network folder file explorer

Once you're done, elevate-and-drop files into one of your local folders to transfer files from your Mac to your Windows PC.

How to Transfer Files From PC to Mac

That wasn't too tough, right? Now permit'due south look at the reverse process: how to transfer files from Windows to Mac.

Set Upward File Sharing on Windows

To begin, you demand to make sure that Network Discovery is turned on in Windows. Fire up your Windows PC and work through the following steps:

Open the Settings app and get to Network & Internet. On the left panel, click on Ethernet or Wi-Fi and then Change advanced sharing options located under Related settings.

click change advanced sharing options Windows10

Aggrandize the Individual Network menu and enable the checkboxes side by side to Turn on network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing. Then, click on Save changes. Follow these steps to set network discovery-related issues in Windows 10.

turn on network discovery Windows10

We don't recommend enabling network discovery or file sharing on public networks. They are typically far less secure than private networks.

To share folders on a example-by-instance basis, right-click on the folder's name and go to Backdrop > Sharing > Network File and Folder Sharing > Share. Alternatively, you can use advanced sharing settings if y'all need to or if you prefer to take full control over sharing.

network file and folder share Windows10

You'll also need to note your Windows PC's IP address. Press Win + X and choose Command Prompt or Windows Powershell. Type in ipconfig and note downwards the IPv4 accost.

ipv4 address of Windows

Access Windows Files on Mac

Once you're happy with your sharing options, information technology's time to transfer your files from Windows PC to Mac. Follow the steps beneath on your Mac to practice this:

Open up the Finder app. In the menu bar at the pinnacle of the screen, select Go > Connect to Server. Type either smb://[IP address] or smb://[computer name] and press Enter. Yous will be prompted to enter your Windows username and password. Click on Connect.

access windows files on Mac

Your shared Windows content will be available in the Shared section of Finder. To transfer files from your PC to your Mac, merely drag and drib as needed.

The to a higher place methods work great if both Mac and Windows PC are on the same network. However, if they're non, try these methods and choose the ones that fit best for you.

1. Use a Deject Storage Service

Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive accept dedicated apps available for Windows and macOS. Just install them on the ii systems and upload or download your files as needed. Be enlightened of the infinite taken up by these apps, and if you're running depression on disk space, follow our guide on how to sync only specific files in Dropbox or Google Drive.

two. Utilize a USB Stick

A elementary-merely-effective solution for anyone who needs to transfer files from Mac to Windows quickly is to utilize a USB flash drive. Remember to cull the exFAT file format since it'southward compatible with both operating systems and easily lets you share huge files. Here are our recommendations on the best USB 3.0 flash drives bachelor online.

Resilio Sync and Syncthing are file-syncing apps that let you share files between Windows and Mac. They utilise an encrypted cardinal to manage the connection betwixt devices. All you have to do is prepare a sync binder and create a key. Share the key with your other motorcar and nominate a folder. Both the apps let you to set up the read/write permissions.

At that place are enough of security challenges we face regarding cloud storage. This writer has been using Resilio Sync for many years. If you gear up permissions, configure sync to force LAN syncing, and utilise Archive for file versioning, y'all ensure that the data transfers happen through your network and save coin.

resilio sync advanced preferences

Transfer Files Betwixt Computer and Mobile

Hopefully, the various methods nosotros've discussed will help yous share files betwixt a Mac and a PC with ease. If y'all also need to do this with your phone, check out the easiest ways to transfer files between computers and mobile devices.

Nosotros hope you similar the items we recommend and talk over! MUO has chapter and sponsored partnerships, so we receive a share of the revenue from some of your purchases. This won't bear upon the toll y'all pay and helps us offer the all-time product recommendations.

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