3 Ways to Use HFS + Drives in Windows Environment

The situations when this may be needed are different. The most common is access to your files from Windows installed via Boot Camp (by default, only read files are available). In such cases, either install the HFS + driver, which adds support for the Apple file system in Windows, or use special utilities that already know how to work with HFS +. We will consider both options, plus one more bonus.

Method 1. Working with HFS + through drivers

The good thing about drivers is that they add HFS + support at the system level, which means that Mac drives will appear in Explorer and other applications. The driver is loaded when Windows starts, and the difference between file systems simply ceases to exist: you can work with disks of any format.

The main advantage of drivers is support for both reading and writing files. In addition, this method provides the highest possible data transfer rate. As a downside, we can mention the high price: all popular drivers that provide stable operation are quite expensive.

Paragon HFS + for Windows

The most popular driver with full HFS + support on any type of disk (GPT and MBR) and a set of additional utilities. Differs in high performance when transferring large files via various interfaces, including SATA and USB. Compatible with Windows 10.

The license is relatively inexpensive - 790 rubles. That being said, there is a 10-day trial version.

MacDrive

More powerful driver with additional features. MacDrive can do everything that the driver from Paragon does, but at the same time it allows you to open Time Machine backups and copy files from them to Windows drives. The driver also works in virtual machines and allows you to mount Mac disks in Target Disk Mode for loading on other computers.

MacDrive is more expensive - as much as $ 50. There is also a trial version, but for 5 days.

Method 2. Working with HFS + through utilities

Working with Mac disks through dedicated applications provides more limited HFS + support. In this case, access to the file system will be possible only in them, and in the "Explorer" the disks will not even be displayed. Typically, applications only allow you to view and copy files, not write.

Utilities for working with HFS + are much cheaper, and there are even free ones. This method is suitable for those who only need to read files. In addition, with no-install utilities, you can view files from Mac disks on computers where you cannot install a driver or third-party software.

HFSExplorer

A simple and, importantly, a free utility that will allow you to view files from HFS + disks in a Windows environment. HFSExplorer opens the contents of Mac disks as a directory tree, where you can select the files you want. To view them, you need to copy them to the Windows disk. It is also possible to create images of HFS + disks for subsequent work already with them.

The HFSExplorer utility is not as convenient as the drivers, and can only view files, but it does not cost a dime.

TransMac

Like HFSExplorer, TransMac does not install drivers on the system, but allows access to HFS + disks inside its window. Moreover, the application does not need to be installed at all, so you can use it on your work computer or on a visit. In this case, not only reading, but also data writing are available. There is even support for changing and formatting partitions on HFS + drives.

The utility will be useful to everyone who, for whatever reason, does not want (or cannot) install drivers, but needs full HFS + support.

The license cost is $ 59, the trial period is 15 days.

Bonus

If you don't want to spend money and bother installing drivers or additional utilities, you can do it differently: use the Live-USB Linux distribution. By booting from it, you will have access to all your drives, including HFS + and NTFS, and then you can view or copy any files on them. Ubuntu, for example, can do this.