External hard drive with file system FAT32 after plugging into my mac, almost all file types (docx, pdf, even png etc.) are malformed with extension .xml,. Help ASAP!!! This is very serious and bad for Apple, help asap please..

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Level 1

4 points

External hard drive with file system FAT32 after plugging into my mac, almost all file types (docx, pdf, even png etc.) are malformed with extension .xml,. Help ASAP!!! This is very serious and bad for Apple, help asap please..

I experienced the similar issue as is described here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251408405 or https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/all-of-the-files-on-my-remote-storage-drive/9961e5bf-50a1-44fd-809c-3e7e98d25a8f?fbclid=IwAR1ciBJjcuik6JJoyt5ovVE8uTuGILygsiRZww63NW5HsWrixzxmXKGN9Dg ... (there is a solution nowhere)

External hard drive that was used to store personal data from windows laptop was connected to macbook and after a few seconds we saw him in finder. When we tried to open one of docx files located on this drive we saw nothing.

When we again connected it to windows laptop, we couldn't open almost any file. Most of the files were malformed with extension XML. After removal of extension XML (probably added by macos), Microsoft word couldn't open any file. Coding of whatever was malformed.

How could this happen??? How is it even possible that macos rewrite all files on external hard drive?? How to set it back? I expect valid solutions from Apple, but this is disaster.

I had Avast installed there, so I don't expect any virus could do that.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 12.0

Posted on Jan 3, 2022 11:11 PM

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Answer 1

Jack-19

Level 8

46,188 points

Jan 3, 2022 11:15 PM in response to matej166

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities.

macOS would not change files like this. It is possible the files become corrupted, and this is just a coincidence.

However, delete Avast from your Mac: How to Delete Anti-Virus, Cleaners, VPNs,… - Apple Community.

Mac computers do not need any sort of anti-virus, cleaners, VPNs, etc. The only thing they are good at is creating false marketing promises and taking consumers' money. They are all scams. In fact, anti-virus and other cleaners cause performance issues, security issues, and make macOS appear buggy. Your Mac is far worse with these types of Apps installed.

Mac computers have protection built-in, which is the best protection for your Mac. For specifics on macOS Security, see: macOS - Security - Apple and Protecting against malware in macOS - Apple Support. Mac computers also have built-in storage recommendations: Optimize storage space on your Mac - Apple Support. You can even use the built-in macOS Firewall: Block connections to your Mac with a firewall - Apple Support. Other than that, all you should do is restart your Mac approximately once a week and keep macOS up to date: Update macOS on Mac - Apple Support.

Jack

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Answer 2

matej166 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 3, 2022 11:28 PM in response to Jack-19

I know that my Mac doesn't need Avast and I know it is a ****** product, but that is not a point there..

What do you mean files become corrupted, how to fix it? (ideally not one-by-one) And how is possible that it happened for all files?

The issue as I described here really happened a few days ago. We are not talking there about a few files. It is a backup of docx, doc, pgn, jpg standard files. Mostly important those files weren't backuped elsewhere and belonged to my wife. They were used on windows laptop before, but after plugging into mac they became malformed. I can see that they exist, they have the similar size, but extension XML and can't be opened and read/edited properly.

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External hard drive with file system FAT32 after plugging into my mac, almost all file types (docx, pdf, even png etc.) are malformed with extension .xml,. Help ASAP!!! This is very serious and bad for Apple, help asap please..

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