When you have a new computer and want to switch from PC to Mac, or you have both PCs and Macs on the network at home or at work, you'll want to know how to move files from PC to Mac. Follow the guide below some easy ways to be able to move data.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Using Windows Migration Assistant
Step 1. Download Windows Migration Assistant on Windows PC
The program runs on both Windows and Mac computers, and can transfer files and settings to a Mac. During the process the program will create a new user on the Mac computer, and all information will be transferred to the new user.
- Of all the methods listed, this is the only way that will transfer personal information such as bookmarks, calendar information, contacts, and preferences.
- Macs come pre-installed with Assistant.
- This program can be downloaded directly from the Apple site. Once downloaded, run the program to install it. After installation, the Migration Assistant will automatically open.
Step 2. Disable other programs
To ensure uninterrupted file transfer, disable any antivirus and firewall programs on your PC.
Step 3. Find out the password for the administrator
Depending on what and where the files are to be moved, you may need administrator information for the PC as well as the Mac.
Step 4. Connect the two computers
For Windows Migration Assistant to work, both computers must be on the same network. The most stable way to do this is to connect the two computers directly with a CAT6 ethernet cable. Both computers can also connect to the home network via a router. You can also connect wirelessly, but this is not recommended due to the large amount of data that can be transferred and the potential for disconnection.
Step 5. Run Migration Assistant
After opening the Assistant in Windows, click Continue to start searching for your Mac. On a Mac, open Migration Assistant in the Utilities folder. Open Finder, click Go then utilities. Double click on Migration Assistant.
Select “From another Mac, PC, Time Machine backup, or other disk” then click Continue. After entering the administrator password, select “From another Mac or PC” and click Continue
Step 6. Turn off other programs
The Assistant on a Mac will ask for your permission to kill any other running programs. This program will not work properly if other programs are running.
Step 7. Select PC
In Mac Assistant, select PC from the list and wait for the passcode to appear. You'll see the same passcode on the Mac screen as well as the PC. After making sure that they both show the same code, click Continue on the PC assistant to continue.
Step 8. Select the information to be moved
After your Mac has scanned the data on your PC, a list will appear showing you the data that can be moved. You can select and deselect the data to be moved. Once satisfied, click Continue on the Mac. The moving process will begin, and a window will show its progress.
Step 9. Log in to your new account
Once the move is complete, you can log in to the newly created account and adjust the settings. You will be asked to enter a new password when logging into a new account for the first time.
Method 2 of 5: Sharing Folders Over Direct Connection
Step 1. Set the folder you want to share
Browse to the folder you want to move to your Mac. Once met, right click and select Properties from the menu. In the Properties window, click the Sharing tab.
Step 2. Click Advanced Sharing to open the Advanced Sharing window
Check the “Share this folder” box. You can rename folders to appear different when you open them from a Mac.
Step 3. Connect the computer
Take a CAT6 ethernet cable and plug one end into the Mac and the other end into the PC. Make sure that you plug the cable into the Ethernet port.
Step 4. Find the IP address on the PC
Press Windows key+R to open the Run dialog. Enter “cmd” into the field and press Enter. This will open a command prompt. Type “ipconfig” then press enter to display PC network information. Look for an IP or IPv4 address; i.e. 4 sets of numbers separated by a “.”. For example: 192.168.1.5.
Step 5. Open the server connection on the Mac. Open Finder, then click Go in the menu bar. Select Connect to Server. A dialog will open asking for the server address. In the field, type “smb://” followed by the IP address for the PC. Using the example above, the entry would look something like “smb://192.168.1.5”. Press connect.
Step 6. Enter login information
You may need a username and password for the PC to connect. The server will appear on the desktop so you can browse and copy files that have been shared.
Method 3 of 5: Using a Portable Hard Disk
Step 1. Format the drive
There are two main types of external drive system file formats that Macs and PCs can use. NTFS is the native file system for Windows. FAT32 is a file system that works on all operating systems.
NTFS drives can be read by Mac but not writable. This means that data can be copied from an NTFS drive to a Mac, but data cannot be written to from a Mac. FAT32 supports read and write on both Mac and PC
Step 2. FAT32 has a file size limit of 4 GB
This means that you have to use NTFS if you want to move files larger than your PC. This will make the drive read-only on the Mac until you reformat it, but can still be used to move files from PC to Mac.
Step 3. Plug in the driver on the PC
Once the drive is connected, you can copy files and folders to the drive. Wait for the files to finish copying, then remove the drive.
Step 4. Plug in the drive on the Mac
Once the drive is connected, you can copy files and folders from the drive. Wait for the files to finish copying, then remove the drive.
Method 4 of 5: Burn a CD or DVD
Step 1. Make sure that you have the right hardware
You need a drive that can burn CDs or DVDs. Most drivers now have this feature. Apart from the hardware, you also need to have the right software. Windows Vista and above come with built-in SO DVD burning support. Windows XP can burn CDs but not DVDs; third party software is required to burn DVD data in Windows XP.
Step 2. Insert a blank disc
Autoplay will open and give you the option to add files to burn on the disc. If Autoplay doesn't start, go to Computer and then open the disc drive. You can drag and drop files here, then click the Burn button when you're ready.
CDs typically hold around 750 MB, while DVDs typically hold around 4.7 GB
Step 3. Wait until the burning process is complete
Depending on the amount burned and the speed of the drive, this process can take up to several minutes.
Step 4. Insert the disc on the Mac
The disc will appear on the desktop so you can open and copy the files to your computer.
Method 5 of 5: Sending Files Via Email
Step 1. Make sure the file size is small enough
If you only have a few small files to move, using email is the simplest option. Many email providers limit the file size to 25 MB or less.
Step 2. Open the email on the PC
Write a new email with yourself as the recipient. Add files by attaching them to an email. When you're done attaching the file, send an email.
Depending on how the email service operates and how large the file size is, it may take a few minutes for the email to arrive
Step 3. Open the email on the Mac
Open the email you sent yourself. Download the attached file on the Mac.
Tips
- There are certain files on Windows, such as the.exe file that won't work on a Mac.
- Programs cannot be copied, only documents and data.
