Forum Discussion

TalonJace's avatar
TalonJace
Iron Contributor
Jan 19, 2026

Transfer files from mac to windows via usb cable or wifi network?

Just switched from an old MacBook Pro to a new Windows 11 laptop and now stuck on the file transfer part. There's nearly 100GB of stuff (videos, photos, project folders), and no clue what is the leas...
DaxxonFoster's avatar
DaxxonFoster
Iron Contributor
Jan 19, 2026

Your concerns are valid. While using a USB cable seems quick, the experience of transferring files from macOS to Windows has never been smooth. Using a network connection offers stability but is less reliable. Another method for transfer files from mac to windows when not on the same network is to use an external hard drive or USB flash drive.

Key step: Formatting the storage device

  • By default, Macs can only read NTFS-formatted disks from Windows systems; they cannot write to them. Therefore, the device must be formatted to a dual-system compatible format:

  • Connect the external hard drive/USB stick to your Mac and open Disk Utility.

  • Select the storage device on the left, then click the “Erase” option at the top.

  • Choose ExFAT as the format.

  • Click Erase.

File Transfer Steps

  • Drag and drop the files you wish to transfer directly onto the formatted external storage device.

  • Right-click the device icon on your Mac desktop and select ‘Eject’.

  • Connect the external storage device to your Windows computer, open its folder, and drag files to local paths such as the Windows desktop or Documents folder.

(⚠️ Note: This operation will erase all data on the device. Please back up your files beforehand).

Resources