Forum Discussion
HFSExplorer for windows latest version download and is still safe?
Yes, the latest version of HFSExplorer for Windows is from October 9, 2021 . You can find the official download on the developer's website, catacombae.org . It is strictly designed for the older HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) file system . If you try to use it with an APFS drive, you will likely get an "Invalid HFS type" or similar error.
I have to give you a clear and honest answer: There is no completely free, third-party software that reliably reads APFS drives on Windows. This is a well-documented limitation. APFS is Apple's proprietary modern file system, and Windows has no native ability to read it.
What You Can Do Now
If you find your drive is HFS+ (Mac OS Extended):
HFSExplorer for Windows is an excellent, free tool for the job . Just be aware that it is "read-only," meaning you can copy files from the Mac drive to your Windows PC, but you cannot modify or add files to the Mac drive itself .
If you find your drive is APFS (the default for modern Macs):
Your requirement for a "completely free" method cannot be met with standard software. Your only practical options are:
1. Use a Free Trial: Download a tool and complete your file transfer within the trial period .
2. Use a Mac: The simplest free method is to connect the drive to any available Mac computer to copy the files onto a USB drive formatted as exFAT, which both Mac and Windows can read.