I am trying to add a batch of photo (in a file on my MacBook Pro) to my sister's WD Elements hard drive but am blocked at every turn!!! Have tried adding the folder, also individual photos but neither works.
If your sister has a windows pc and the WD is formatted NTFS, then your Mac can Read but not Write to the WD drive without special software. Likewise if your sister is using the WD software that came with the WD drive, then the drive maybe protected from anyone else trying using it.
At this point, it would be easier to give her the photos on a MS-DOS FAT32 Formatted USB Flash Drive and then let her add them to the WD Elements Hard Drive.
If your sister has a windows pc and the WD is formatted NTFS, then your Mac can Read but not Write to the WD drive without special software. Likewise if your sister is using the WD software that came with the WD drive, then the drive maybe protected from anyone else trying using it.
At this point, it would be easier to give her the photos on a MS-DOS FAT32 Formatted USB Flash Drive and then let her add them to the WD Elements Hard Drive.
Unfortunately you neglected to provide the exact error message when the process fails.
If your sister also uses a Mac and the WD Elements drive is using either the APFS or MacOS Extended file systems, then you should make sure to check the "Ignore Ownership" option is enabled so that you won't have any permissions issues. See this Apple article for details:
If you don’t have permission to use files on a Mac disk - Apple Support
You may also want to review the following article written by a respected forum contributor as it provides some very good tips for writing a good question for the forums so that you provide enough information so that you are not flooded with dozens of suggestions for various possibilities because you have kept us in the dark on so many relevant details.
Writing an effective Apple Support Communities question - Apple Community
<< your Mac can Read but not Write to the WD drive without special software. >>
Do not think for a moment that this is an inherent shortcoming in Macintosh computers.
Microsoft has stated that they consider Windows New Technology File System (NTFS) to be Microsoft-proprietary, and has said they will Sue anyone who writes that format without paying Microsoft Royalties. Apple thinks that is anti-competive, and refuses to pay.
"WD Elements Hard drive - can't add files or folders: I am trying to add a batch of photo (in a file on my MacBook Pro) to my sister's WD Elements hard drive but am blocked at every turn!!! Have tried adding the folder, also individual photos but neither works."
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Getting External Monitor Readable:
A. Any Security Software Installed?
Uninstall Security Software from your Mac. What is happening is most likely Firewall Settings are getting in the way. So, permit this connection, and then uninstall the Security Uoftware. You'll likely find the uninstaller on the Developer's website, somewhere.
B. Start with a Restart:
Restart your Mac, and see if it then is fixed.
C. Refresh Finder:
D. Unmount, then Mount the Drive:
Boot into Recovery Mode. (Silicon Chip or Intel Clip): Then, using Disk Utility, see if the Hard Drive is seen. If it is, then see if you need to click the “Mount’ button for it. Try rebooting once more. If of no success, then click unmount button, and then the mount button. Try rebooting once more.
WD Elements Hard drive - can't add files or folders
