Windows cannot read from and write to HFS+ partitions. This limits the ability of Windows users to exchange or share files between Windows and Mac OS X file systems. Occasionally, users will rely on the services of FAT partitions which can be read and written to by both Windows and Mac OS X. FAT partitions have disadvantages and limitations as well; for example, you can’t store/create files greater than 4GB in size. Moreover, what if your data is already stored on a Mac-formatted partition and you want to migrate them to a Windows-formatted drive (NTFS) to preserve the integrity of the data?
If you have an iPod you probably know that it contains all your music inside hidden folders. When you attach your iPod (excluding iPod touch models) to the system it can be seen as a simple Removable Flash Drive. HFS for Windows makes it easy to move the music off of the iPod and onto a Windows PC.
Features:
• Read Access: Gives Windows users ability to read and write data from Mac OS X.
• Easy to Install: Intuitive and efficient, the driver is easily installed through a user-friendly wizard.
• High Performance: Transfer files at a rate similar to native HFS file-system performance.
• No Limitation: There is no limitation to maximum file/partition size (but must be within Windows and HFS+ limitations.
Paragon Software has just announced that they’re giving away 50,000 licenses of this product.
More info and download link here.
“…Moreover, what if your data is already stored on a Mac-formatted partition and you want to migrate them to a Windows-formatted drive (NTFS) to preserve the integrity of the data? …”
Perfect!
This will help those millions of Switchers who are transitioning from Mac to Windows!
Or … wait. …
What?
@NHL: LOL!
It’s also useful if you have HFS-formatted USB flash drives or FW drives that you need to share with a Windows PC. Or if you Mac goes ker-chunk (heaven forbid), and you need to use a Windows computer to recover data.
@NHL… Why do you think they’re giving it away?
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It’s read-only, they have to give it away.
Apple should bundle this with iTunes for Windows.
there is an increasing number of people who format external media on Macs. It is annoying not to be able to put a file larger than 4GB on a USB stick (or a pocked USB drive), when it is formatted using FAT. So, I use HFS+. On a rare occasion that I have to access the files on that stick/drive from a Windows machine, I need this tool.
I have no doubt such an occasion is happening more and more often, as people switch.
@Jonk, it says read/write, link says full access.
Their NTFS product (really of more interest) includes a read only version of this, like boot camp uses.
It would be extremely unwise to allow Windows and all the malware that infests it to have full access to your important files on your Mac’s partition.
Oh, great! This application/program/software/utility lets/allows me to store/create fie/partitions too/also. I hope/wish that the slashes/virgules were optional/facultative. It’s hard/difficult to create/make doublets/pairs of words/terms.
Death to slashes!
I remember when we Mac users were desperate for a similar ability on our computers. How the tide has turned!
@ cptnkirk
IIRC, you could read MSDOS floppies natively in System 7, if not earlier.
Doing anything with the data in the files – well that was another problem.
Great, an attack vector for Windows malware to f**k with my Mac.