How do i transfer files from mac to pc?

http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/

I have this same question, but the link didn't help me at all. Looked like links to transfer from pc to mac. I need to go from Mac TO pc, because my external hard drive already contains data (that I want to keep) and cannot be written to from the Mac. I am trying to get my files from my Mac onto the pc, to then store on the external hard drive.

There may be a better way but if you have an external HDD that is formatted FAT or ExFAT, then both PC and Mac can read and write to it. Use that as a transfer device.

Ciao.

But I don't. My external hard drive was initially used with a pc, so it is formatted NTFS. From what I understand, I can reformat the hard drive to FAT or ExFAT, but that would erase all files on the hard drive. I am trying to avoid this and just add new files to the hard drive, without having to purchase an apple hard drive to use as backup. i have plenty of space left on the existing hard drive.

If I could only move my mac files to the pc, then I could transfer them to the hard drive. I know that is an extra step to save files, but it doesn't mean purchasing anything new.

OGELTHORPE's suggestion is apt.

Hard Drives are iinexpensive and you can Never have Too Many backups.

AnaMusic has been around far longer than I on these forums and if she endorses my suggestion, apparently I have lurched on to the only reasonable method. If you still have the PC and if there is sufficient room, can you transfer the files from the external HDD to the PC and then reformat the HDD. If not, I have nothing more to offer.

Ciao.

So, I guess there is no easy way to transfer files from a mac to a pc??? I remember easily transferring my pc files to the mac, and there are a ton of websites with info on how to transfer from pc to mac. But Ihave found virtually nothing on mac to pc transfer. I'm beginning to think I will have to go out to purchase a new hard drive. Any recommendations on a good one?

This is a reputable site > http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/

I have had good experience with Seagate HDDs. Recently I purchased 2 1 TB HGST HDDs and they seem to be performing well. I agree with macsales being a reputable Mac vendor.

Ciao.

OK, thanks, y'all! I have to go get one today - since you are Mac Gurus, must I go purchase from the Apple store, or can I get a non-Apple product from Best Buy?

Select the External you desire and shop around for price.

Any 2,5" SATA HDD that is 9.5" thick will be compatible.

Ciao.

Tpvy wrote:

So, I guess there is no easy way to transfer files from a mac to a pc??? I remember easily transferring my pc files to the mac, and there are a ton of websites with info on how to transfer from pc to mac. But Ihave found virtually nothing on mac to pc transfer. I'm beginning to think I will have to go out to purchase a new hard drive. Any recommendations on a good one?

There ia a very easy way to tranfer files from Mac to PC or PC to Mac. Very simple connect them to the same network (LAN), Log in to the other and select the files you want to copy an paste them to the other computer.

I do it all the time. From Mac to PC and PC to Mac.

No Problems at all. Much better then an external hard drive and moving it around. And No need to worry about drive format. Each OS takes care of that when files get copied over the network.

I ran across this which may be the simplest solution to your problem:

http://http://www.paragon-software.com/home/ntfs-mac/download.html

This software makes the NFTS compatible with MAC.

Ciao.