HFS is default file system for MAC and iOS device. This means if you are only going to use your external hard drive on MAC, then it’s best to format your drive to HFS+. However, if you later decide to use that on Windows, it won’t work.
But don’t worry, there are workarounds. You can format your hard drive to FAT32, exFAT and use it on both Windows and MAC. Or if you want to keep your HFS format then use HFS Explorer. With this software, you can read the content of HFS formatted HDD on Windows. Though there is no write option.
Here is a detailed video why external HDD do not work with all operating system and what can we do about it.
- HFSExplorer is a lightweight application that can read Mac-formatted hard disks and disk images. It can read the file systems HFS (Mac OS Standard), HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) and HFSX (Mac OS Extended with case sensitive file names).
- HFS Plus (Mac OS Extended) HFSX (Mac OS Extended Case-Sensitive) Write Access. When a volume is mounted in write mode, you can do everything with files and folders it contains: read, edit, delete, rename, create new.
- . @APPLEOSREFERENCELICENSEHEADEREND@./ # ifndef HFSFORMAT # define HFSFORMAT # include # include /. hfsformat.c. This file describes the on-disk format for HFS and HFS Plus volumes. The HFS Plus volume format is desciibed in detail in Apple Technote 1150. Note: Mac OS 9.
- Mac OS Extended format (HFS+) is a hard disk format introduced on January 19, 1998, by Apple Inc. To replace their HFS and the primary file system in Macintosh computers and iPod music players. Up from HFS, HFS+ increases the number of allocation blocks on the disk and decreases the minimum size of a file, thus optimizing the storage capacity.
Use HFS+ Format on Windows with HFS Explorer
Follow the steps
I’ve ordered a USB to SATA cable to format the drive from another Mac, but can I format the drive, as OS X extended journaled, in Windows? Tl:dr - How do I format (or partition) a clean SSD as OS X Extended (Journaled), as opposed to exFAT etc., from a PC? You won't be able to do the conversion from HFS to APFS, as Apple has dropped.
1. Before installing HFS explorer, you need to install JAVA on your computer. However, this can be little tricky for a newbie but it is also important. So here is a small overview.
JDK contains all the files require to developing JAVA application. If you already running JAVA on your computer (like Android app development) then you already have it installed and you can skip this step.
Hfs Partition
Server JRE is for deploying JAVA application on the server. This is not important in our case.
JRE is for running JAVA application on the user computer. If you have no idea about what the above two means, then you have to install JRE or java runtime environment on your computer.
So go to its download page, download the latest version of JRE (Windows x64 .exe file is around 54 MB). If your operating system is 64-bit then install x64 version, else install x86 version for 32-bit system.
To find out which version of windows you are running go to Control PanelSystem and SecuritySystem. And look for system type. (see screenshot)
2. Once done with the downloading, run the setup and install it like you install any software on your computer. It’s always a good idea to restart your computer after installing a software.
3. Next, download HFS Explorer from its official website and install it on your computer. Again restart your computer.
4. Now, open HFS explorer as administrator (it’s important to run it as admin or you will not be able to detect the drive)
5. The program will still not recognized your device, to fix that go to file > load file system from device > auto detect > That’s it. you will see your files
To download files on your hard drive, select the folder > click on extract > specify the location where you want to download it and hit OK.
[PARAGON HFS EXPLORER]
HFS explorer is free, but it only lets you read files from your external HDD. But say you want to do both i.e. read and write files then you will have to buy Paragon HFS explorer (20$). To see how it works, I install 10-days trial version.
And unlike the free HFS explorer which open in the hard drive in a separate software, Paragon HFS explorer opens the drive in windows explorer — just like a normal NTFS drive. Overall, you will feel no difference while using HFS drive on Windows.
Also see:
There are high chances that when you try to connect a drive formatted in Mac to a Windows PC, you might be asked to format the drive. Why does that happen? Is there any way I can read a Mac formatted hard drive on Windows? You’ll get answers to all such questions in this blog.
Why Can’t Your Windows Read A Mac Formatted Hard Drive?
To read a Mac formatted drive on a Windows PC or laptop, Windows computer must have an appropriate file system. More specifically, Windows-compatible file systems include NTFS and FAT 32 whereas the file systems compatible with Mac include HFS, HFSX, HFS+ and the latest APFS.
Also Read: Best USB Data Recovery Software For Windows 10,8,7 PC
In most cases the moment you’ll plug in a Mac formatted drive in Windows, the system will ask you to format the drive. We know, you might start sweating as formatting the hard drive would mean letting go of all the data which is already there in the drive. So, please! Do not hit the format button.
If you have, you may still have hope.
How To Read Mac Formatted Drive On Windows?
So, what should be done instead? There are third-party applications which can help you access the data from a Mac formatted drive, and we have mentioned options using which you will be able to read Mac drives formatted in HFS, HFS+, HFSX and even APFS file systems.
Third-Party Software To Read Mac Formatted Drive On Windows 101. MacDrive 2. HFS Explorer 3. Paragon HFS+ 4. Paragon APFS |
Note: Do Check Out 2 Bonus Tips In The End!If You Haven’t Yet Formatted Mac Hard Drive With HFS, HFS+, HFSX and APFS File Systems |
1. MacDrive
Let’s start with a software which will let you read Mac drives on Windows formatted with both HFS+ and APFS file systems. It is available in two variants. The standard variant would cost you $49.99, and the Pro variant would cost you $69.99. Here’s how you can read Mac drive on Windows 10/8/7 using MacDrive :
To Make It Work:
- Plug your Mac formatted drive into the Windows PC
- You will now be able to access your drive from Windows desktop
- It also gives you the ability to read and write to Mac drive
2. HFS Explorer
The best part about HFS Explorer is that unlike other software, it is free to use. It is a great application that can help you read a Mac formatted drive (Hard disks and disk images) on Windows 10. It has a clean and easy to use interface. It can help you read drives formatted with HFSX (MacOS Extended with file names that are case sensitive), HFS (MacOS Standard) and HFS+(macOS Extended) file systems.
Note: As a prerequisite, make sure that Java SE Runtime Environment 5.0 or higher is running on your Windows PC.
To Make It Work:
- Plugin your Mac formatted hard drive in the computer running on Windows
- You will now be required to launch HFS explorer as an administrator
- On the top select ‘File’ and choose ‘Load file system from device.’
- Click on the ‘Auto detect’ button which will automatically detect if you have HFS/ HFS+/ HFSX partitions
- Next, pick folders and files that you want to extract and view
- You will now be prompted to save files to a destination on your computer
Formatted Hfs+ Journaled For Mac
3. Paragon HFS+
Paragon HFS+ mounts HFS+ partitions using Windows Disk Management. It has an automatic mount feature which automatically mounts any HFS+ formatted drives. It has a failsafe functionality, and it also keeps your data safe from any corruption.
To make it work:
- Install the application on Windows
- Connect the Mac formatted HFS+ drive to your computer
- That’s it; your drive will now show up in a file explorer
Install (Price – $ 19.95)
Hfs Format For Mac Download
4. Paragon APFS
If you want to read a Mac formatted drive on Windows running on the latest APFS, then Paragon APFS is the option you are looking for. It lets you copy, view and edit data from the drive formatted in Mac onto a Windows PC. It is highly stable with operations, has effective flow control and steady goodput.
To Make It Work
Follow the steps as above.
Install (Price – $ 49.95)
Quick Bonus Tips
Tip No 1
How about formatting Mac drives in exFAT format? This is a format supported by both Windows and Mac, and after you have formatted it in exFAT format, you won’t even need third-party software. But, before heading on to the steps to format a Mac hard drive in exFAT format, beware! You will then lose all the data on your Mac drive.
Here’s how you can format a Mac drive –
- On the File Explorer, right-click
- Choose ‘Format’
Tip No 2
Should you need to format the hard drive, especially if you are not investing in a third party software, do make it a point to take a backup. For instance, you can install Right Backup for Mac.
Features:
- Automatically backup your data (data backed up every 12 hours) or schedule a backup.
- Smart and custom restore options.
- Cross-platform functionality
In The End
You might have to shed some cash, but it is not impossible to read a formatted Mac drive on Windows 10. So, go ahead, try one of these options and if you already have been, do share your favourite choice with us in the comments section below. If you liked the blog do give it a thumbs up and follow us on Facebook and YouTube.
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