The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50).

I have recently purchased an external USB SSD and copied some files from an old Windows laptop that I threw away eventually. I now try to copy and paste the files from the disk to my personal Macbook air and I am getting the above-mentioned issue:

The operation can’t be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -50).

I guess since I moved the files from the Windows machine the hard disk is formatted from Windows OS and macOS cannot handle that. For sure I cannot move files to disk as well. Moreover, when trying to move files from the hard disk to a friend's Macbook Pro it works properly and can move the files to the laptop (again not the other way round).

Is there any workaround this issue withtout deleting the files or re-formatting the disk? Is there a way in general the disk to work smoothly for both MacOs and Windows machines?