5
readers helped!

This helped me

How to Transfer Files from PC to Mac

If you're getting a new computer and decide to switch from PC to Mac, or you have both types on your home network or at work, you may be wondering how to transfer files from the PC to the Mac. Follow this guide for several easy methods that will allow you to transfer your data.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Using Windows Migration Assistant

  1. This program is run on both the Windows computer and the Mac, and transfers files and settings to the Mac. During this process, it will create a new user on the Mac computer, and all information will be transferred to that new user.
    • Out of all the methods listed here, this is the only one that will transfer personal information such as bookmarks, calendar information, contacts, and preferences.
    • Macs come with the Assistant already installed.
    • The program can be downloaded directly from the Apple website. Once it is downloaded, run the program to install it. After installation, the Migration Assistant will automatically open.
  2. To ensure that the transfer happens without interruption, disable any anti-virus and firewall software on the PC.
  3. Depending on what you are transferring and where you may need the administrator information for both the PC and the mac.
  4. In order for Windows Migration Assistant to work, both computers must be on the same network. The most stable way to do this is to connect both computers directly with a CAT6 Ethernet cable. Both computers can also be connected to a home network through a router. You can also connect with wireless, but this is not recommended due to the amount of data that may be transferred and the potential to get disconnected.
  5. Once you’ve opened the Assistant in Windows, click Continue to begin searching for the Mac. On the Mac, open the Migration Assistant in the Utilities folder. Open the Finder, then click Go then utilities. Double-click on the 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.
  6. The Assistant on the Mac will ask your permission to shut down other running programs. It will not function properly if other programs are running.
  7. In the Mac Assistant, select your PC from the list and wait for the passcode to appear. You should see the same passcode on both your Mac and your PC’s screen. Once you have verified that they are showing the same code, click Continue on the PC assistant to move on.
  8. After your Mac has scanned your PC for data, a list will appear showing you the data that can be transferred. You can select and deselect the data you prefer to transfer. Once you are satisfied, click Continue on the Mac. The transfer process will start, and a window will show the progress.
  9. Once the transfer is complete, you can log in to your newly created account and adjust your settings. You will be prompted to enter a new password when you log in to the new account for the first time.
    Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Sharing Folders Through a Direct Connection

  1. Browse for folders that you want to transfer to the Mac. When you have found one, right-click on it and select Properties from the menu. In the Properties window, click the Sharing tab.
  2. Check the “Share this folder” box. You can rename the folder to appear differently when it is opened on the Mac.
  3. Take a CAT6 Ethernet cable and plug one end into the Mac and the other into the PC. Make sure that you are plugging the cable into the Ethernet port.
  4. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Enter “cmd” into the field and press Enter. This will open the command prompt. Type “ipconfig” and press enter to display your PC’s network information. Look for the IP or IPv4 address; it will be 4 sets of digits separated by “.”. For example: 192.168.1.5
  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 above example, the entry would look like “smb://192.168.1.5”. Press connect.
  6. You may need the user name and password for your PC in order to connect to it. The server will appear on the desktop and you can browse and copy over any files that you have shared.
    Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Using Portable Hard Drives

  1. There are two major filesystem formats for external drives that both Mac and PC can use. NTFS is the native filesystem for Windows. FAT32 is a filesystem that works on all operating systems.
    • NTFS drives can be read by Macs but not written to. This means that data can be copied off of an NTFS drive onto a Mac, but data cannot be written on to it from a Mac. FAT32 supports reading and writing from both Mac and PC.
  2. This means that if you are transferring larger files from the PC, you will need to use NTFS. This will make your drive read-only for Macs until you reformat it, but you can still use it to transfer files from the PC to the Mac.
  3. Once the drive is connected, you can copy files and folders onto it. Wait until the files are finished copying, then disconnect the drive.
  4. Once the drive is connected, you can copy files and folders off of it. Wait until the files are finished copying, then disconnect the drive.
    Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Burn CDs or DVDs

  1. In order to burn a CD or DVD you need a drive capable of burning. Most current drives have this capability. In addition to hardware, you will need to have the proper software. Windows Vista and later come with DVD burning support natively built-in to the OS. Windows XP can burn CD's but not DVDs; you will need third-party software to burn data DVDs in Windows XP.
  2. Autoplay should open, giving you the option to add files to the disc to be burnt. If Autoplay does not start, open Computer and then open the disc drive. You can drag and drop files here, and click the Burn button when you are ready.
    • CDs typically hold around 750MBs, while DVDs typically hold around 4.7GB.
  3. Depending on the amount you are burning and the speed of your drive, this could take up to several minutes.
  4. The disc will appear on the desktop, allowing you to open it and copy files to your computer.
    Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Sending Files Through Email

  1. If you only have a few small files to transfer, using email will be the simplest option. Many email providers limit file sizes to 25MB or less.
  2. Compose a new email, with yourself as the recipient. Add files by attaching them to the email. When you are finished attaching files, send the email.
    • Depending on how your email service operates, and how large the files are, it may take a few minutes for your email to arrive.
  3. Open the email that you sent to yourself. Download the attached files to your Mac.
    Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    While sharing on a network, what is the username and password in the 6th step?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It would be the username and password of your computer's admin account. If you're not the admin of your computer, you will not be able to connect remotely.
  • Question
    How come a file became larger when transferred from PC to Mac?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    This probably happens when the code of the file is converted to a mac file. It's nothing to worry about, though.
  • Question
    Can I use a flash drive to transfer my pictures from my PC to my MAC as my MAC does not have a CD drive.
    Mastermind91
    Mastermind91
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can use a flash drive to transfer your pictures from your PC to your MAC even though your MAC does not have a CD drive.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit

Advertisement

Video

Tips

Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • A Windows-based PC
  • A Mac
  • An Ethernet Cable

You Might Also Like

Lock the Gallery on Samsung GalaxyLock the Gallery on Samsung Galaxy
Add a New Post in WordPressAdd a New Post in WordPress
Advertisement
Download an Older Version of WhatsApp on AndroidDownload an Older Version of WhatsApp on Android
Set the Clock on iHomeSet the Clock on iHome
Tell Who Has Viewed Your Instagram Story on AndroidTell Who Has Viewed Your Instagram Story on Android
Download WeChat Videos on AndroidDownload WeChat Videos on Android
Bump a Post on FacebookBump a Post on Facebook
Download Images from Google on PC or MacDownload Images from Google on PC or Mac
Comment on a Photo on FacebookComment on a Photo on Facebook
Download a Torrent With AndroidDownload a Torrent With Android
Store and Read Documents on an iPhoneStore and Read Documents on an iPhone
Copy and Paste on WhatsAppCopy and Paste on WhatsApp
Use Samsung PayUse Samsung Pay
Use Utorrent on an AndroidUse Utorrent on an Android
Advertisement

About this article

Tested by:
wikiHow Technology Team
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 21 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 637,403 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 21
Updated: February 6, 2020
Views: 637,403
Article SummaryX

1. Install Windows Migration Assistant on the PC.
2. Disable your antivirus and firewall.
3. Connect the two computers via Ethernet.
4. Run Migration Assistant on the Mac.
5. Select the PC on the Mac.
6. Select information to move.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 637,403 times.

Is this article up to date?

Advertisement