Format to FAT32. If you have an NTFS drive you can use macOS' Disk Utility to reformat it to FAT32. This is simple to do and means the data on your drive/USB stick can be read and written on. Natively, Windows PC do not even 'see' APFS and HFS+ formatted partitions. You could convert the drive to FAT32 or exFAT that both Mac and Windows can read. However, this is impossible if the HFS+ or APFS has over 1T data. What should you do? Here is a tutorial help you read Mac drive on Windows.
By default, your Windows PC can't access the drives that are formatted in the Mac file system. It's easier for your PC to read NTFS (Windows file system) and FAT32/exFAT, however, the Windows 10 can't actually read drives formatted in other file systems that are likely coming from Mac (HFS+) or Linux (ext4).
The UFS+ is the file system by Apple's Macintosh and if you are using a Mac-formatted drive on your PC, chances are it's not readable by Microsoft Windows 10. The macOS Extended (HFS+) is a file system used by Mac and it can only be read by default in Mac systems, unlike Windows. If you are trying to use a drive formatted in Mac on Windows 10, it's possible. Here's how.
How To Read Mac's UFS Drive On Windows 10
To read drives formatted in Mac on your Windows 10 PC, here's what you need to do, just follow these simple steps.
- Get this free tool called HFSExplorer for Windows.
- Install and launch the program, you will need Java to use this software. It will prompt you if your system doesn't have Java installed, if you already have, it will run normally.
- Connect your Mac-formatted drive on your Windows PC and select ‘Load file system from the device' from File in the menu bar. Click Load.
- You will see the contents of the HFS+ drive in the app window. Choose the files or folders you want to copy, click Extract to copy and save to a specified folder, the files or folders will be copied to the location you choose on your PC.
Don't expect any fancy UI or any system integration that allows you to access the drive from the Windows Explorer just like you usually do for other drives. This tool is good if you need to get a few files out of the drive, not recommended if you are looking for a chunk of files to extract out of it, the process might be a tad difficult and time-consuming.
Also, the HFSExplorer doesn't support write access to the drive, if you want to copy anything in the drive, it's not possible with this tool. Use it if you want to copy the data from the drive. Check on the alternative if you want the read and write access with better integration.
Better Alternative?
An alternative to it is the Paragon HFS+ software that seamlessly integrates into the Windows such that you will be using the drive as you normally do with other drives supported by Windows. Plugging in the drive, and you will see a device connected and shown in the explorer along with your internal drive.
- Get the software Paragon HFS+ for Windows and install it as you would do for other Windows programs.
- That's it, restart the PC and connect the drive.
- You will be able to see the drive in the explorer which can be accessed by the keyboard shortcut Windows logo key + E or double click on This PC on desktop.
The only downside is that this software is not free, you will spend about $19.95 for it, however, the good part is it offers a 10-day free trial to give it a try. You can either save the money if you are just copying the data or get the write access with system-wide integration for a mere cost.
In the end, it's now possible to use the Mac drive on Windows, although not in a straightforward way, you may end up using the apps for file transfers or unlikely buying out softwares. It is recommended to format the drive in the exFAT system to get things easier, this helps if you are using the drive frequently on both the systems.
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Summary : Don't panic if your Mac SATA hard drive becomes inaccessible and you are worried about your data. This blog is going to help you convert a failing Mac SATA hard drive to an external drive for data recovery.
Try the below data recovery application on your Mac for free.
Read Mac Hard Drive On Windows
Mac SATA Hard Drive
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) hard drives are widely used disks. All thanks to its attributes like quick data transfer through higher signalling rates, native hot swapping, reduced cable size & cost, and much more.
However, despite being so intuitive, at times it too starts failing due to one or other reason like firmware or electrical. When such condition strikes in, Mac hard drive recovery from an inaccessible SATA hard drive becomes a foremost need to avoid data loss and any possible impact on business.
To understand, let us consider a real-life example of John
'A few days back, I got my MacBook Air repaired from the Apple store. They replaced my old hard drive with a brand new SATA. Further, for my convenience, they also transferred the data from my older drive to a new SATA drive. However, now after a few days, I realized that there are a few missing files that I need urgently. I don't know why they were missed in the data transferring process, the only important point hovering in my mind right now is its retrieval. Unfortunately, I do not have a backup. Thankfully, Apple gave a ray of hope by providing me with my older drive, and it is still functional partially.
Now, the only big query, how can I recover my missing files from my older & at-times visible disk. Please advise!'
Best Way to Recover Data from Mac SATA hard drive
By unveiling the results of several discussions done on forums, it will not be erroneous to state that converting Mac SATA hard drive to an external drive is a viable solution.
Next, how to go about the conversion of internal Mac SATA to an external drive?
The process to convert Mac SATA hard drive to an external for data recovery is very simple.
What is required from you?
- Your Partially Functioning Hard Drive
- A Brand New External Drive Enclosure (You can purchase it from Amazon or eBay)
- A screwdriver to bolt and unbolt the enclosure screws
Step 1. Unscrew all the screws and remove the brackets from hard drive.
Step 2. Open up the enclosure and slide the hard drive into the enclosure in the right way up as per the SATA Port orientation.
Step 3. Bolt the screws
You have successfully placed the SATA drive into the enclosure. Next, attach the enclosure to your Mac using the included USB cable to recover the data.
Now, when you connect the SATA drive to your system, you may encounter two scenarios as mentioned in the below figure.
Scenario 1: You Can See the Drive on Desktop
In this case, simply copy all the data from the drive to your new Macintosh HD. Adding more, you can also Clone or Image the older SATA drive using Disk Utility.
Scenario 2: You Cannot See the Drive on Desktop
If you are unable to view your Drive on Desktop or Finder even after placing it in an enclosure, then go to Disk Utility and verify it in the list of the unmounted drive.
Fortunately, if you can find it over there, then you can trust Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac software to regain inaccessible data from your SATA external hard drive. This software is coined as the best Mac data recovery tool because of its smart attributes like recovery from a Corrupt disk, Time Machine hard drive, BootCamp Partition and Encrypted Media, etc.
Watch the Video to Know – How Stellar Data Recovery for Mac Works?
Conclusion
Open Mac Disk On Pc
Go for placing your internal SATA Mac disk drive into a brand new enclosure. Fortunately, if this works, you will be able to copy back your files. However, in case, it doesn't work as planned, then leverage Stellar Data Recovery Professional for Mac to scan and recover the converted SATA drive for recovering files.
Read Mac Drive On Pc Freeware
Give a free shot to the Stellar Data Recovery application. Photo toolkit for mac. The software is macOS Big Sur, Catalina, and Mojave compatible.