MacDrive Standard

MacDrive is a utility designed for Windows users who need to access Mac-formatted drives. Developed by Mediafour (Other World Computing, Inc.), it simplifies the process of reading and writing files on HFS+ and APFS drives—two common file systems used by macOS.



Its primary purpose is to create seamless cross-platform file sharing without the need for complex configurations or compatibility struggles. This software is particularly useful for professionals who often move between Mac and PC environments, such as video editors, graphic designers, and software developers.

With MacDrive for PC, users can connect Mac-formatted hard drives, SSDs, and USB sticks to a Windows machine and work with them as if they were native to the system. The software also includes disk management features, such as the ability to repair or format Mac drives. This utility eliminates the need for file conversion, saving both time and effort.

MacDrive Standard is the ultimate solution for sharing files between macOS and Windows. Simply connect a disk to your PC and it will show up just like any other disk. Mac disks act and appear like normal Windows disks, with an apple icon to keep things clear.



New APFS Features

• Full read and write support for APFS volumes
• APFS crash protection
• Supports multi-volume APFS disks
• Mount any snapshot on APFS volumes
• APFS formatting
• Read/write duplicated APFS file
• Read/write files that are included in snapshots

Highlights

Fast and Reliable
Along with data protection, it is constantly working on the tool to bring you the fastest transfer speeds possible. Filmmakers, recording artists, IT professionals, and thousands of other Windows users rely on the app’s speed as well as its data protection.

Hard drives and more
Access almost any type of Mac-formatted disk including hard drives, DVDs, CDs, and more. You can even mount a Mac in Target Disk mode!

Manage Mac disks
It makes it easy to create, partition, and delete your Mac disks on your PC.

Repair Mac disks
MacDrive’s Disk Repair can automatically find and safely fix most errors on Mac disks.

Time Machine
It allows you to browse through Time Machine backups as well as copy those files and folders to your PC.

Native or Virtual
You can use Mac Drive Standard on a Mac with Apple’s Boot Camp utility and access drives with VMware Fusion or Parallels.

Key Features

Read and Write to Mac-Formatted Drives: It provides full read and write access to HFS+ and APFS drives, enabling Windows users to interact with Mac drives without any additional steps.

Disk Management: The software allows users to repair and format Mac drives directly from Windows, ensuring that drives remain functional even after potential file corruption.

Compatibility with Various Media: Whether it's a standard hard drive, an SSD, or an external USB drive, it ensures compatibility across different storage media.

Secure Erase Functionality: Users can securely erase data from Mac drives, ensuring that sensitive information is permanently deleted.

QuickStart Utility: It includes a helpful QuickStart menu, which appears when a Mac-formatted drive is connected, providing easy access to essential features.

APFS Compatibility: The software supports the latest Apple File System (APFS), allowing access to drives formatted on newer macOS versions.

User Interface

MacDrive’s user interface is clean and intuitive, designed for both novice and advanced users. The primary dashboard provides easy navigation, with sections dedicated to disk management, drive repair, and file transfer.



Once a Mac-formatted drive is plugged in, it is recognized immediately, and users can access the drive from Windows Explorer like any other local drive.

The QuickStart menu further simplifies access, giving users options to open, repair, or format the drive with a single click. For power users, advanced options such as secure erasing and disk partitioning are available within the detailed settings.

Installation and Setup

• Download the app installer from the official website or FileHorse.
• Run the executable file and follow the setup wizard.
• Once installed, restart your system to ensure proper integration with Windows Explorer.
• After rebooting, it will automatically detect any Mac-formatted drives connected to the PC.
• System integration is smooth, and users do not need to manually configure anything. Once the software is installed, simply plug in a Mac drive, and MacDrive will recognize it immediately.

How to Use

Accessing Mac Drives: Once installed, connect a Mac-formatted drive to your PC. It will instantly recognize it, and you can navigate the contents using Windows Explorer just as you would with a Windows-formatted drive.



Transferring Files: Drag and drop files between the Mac drive and Windows drive without needing to reformat or convert them.

Repairing Mac Drives: If a Mac-formatted drive encounters issues, you can right-click on the drive in Windows Explorer and select “Repair” using MacDrive’s integrated disk utility.

Formatting a Mac Drive: To format a new drive for Mac use, select the drive from the disk management options in the app and choose the desired file system (HFS+ or APFS).

Secure Erasing: For securely erasing a drive, open the utility, select the “Erase” option, and confirm. This process will overwrite the drive’s data, making recovery impossible.

Ideal for:

• Users who work with both Mac and Windows computers and need to transfer data effortlessly between the two systems.
• Video and audio professionals working on projects in a cross-platform environment.
• Students and educators who use mixed computer labs or have a Mac at school and a PC at home.
• Business users who need to exchange files between their home and work computers.
• IT and system administrators managing mixed media without worrying about format compatibility.
• Law enforcement and data forensics teams who can benefit from read-only mode to access disks while preserving data integrity.

FAQ

Can I use MacDrive to access APFS drives?
Yes, it supports the latest Apple File System (APFS), allowing seamless access to drives formatted in macOS High Sierra and later.

Does MacDrive affect the performance of my Windows PC?
The program runs in the background and is optimized for minimal system impact. Most users will not notice any decrease in performance while using the software.

Can I format a drive for both Mac and PC use?
Yes, it allows you to format drives as FAT32 or exFAT, both of which are compatible with both macOS and Windows.

Is there a trial version of MacDrive?
Yes, it offers a 5-day trial period during which users can test out the full range of features before purchasing the full version.

Can MacDrive recover files from corrupted Mac drives?
It has a built-in repair feature that can fix many issues related to drive corruption, but it does not specialize in file recovery. For serious data recovery, specialized software might be needed.

Alternatives

Paragon HFS+ for Windows: Another option for accessing Mac-formatted drives on Windows. While it offers similar functionality, its user interface is less intuitive compared to this app.

TransMac: A lightweight alternative that also reads and writes to Mac drives, but lacks the advanced disk management features of this software.

HFSExplorer: A free option for reading Mac drives, though it is limited to HFS+ and lacks write capabilities or advanced features like disk repair.

APFS for Windows by Paragon: This software is specialized in APFS and offers seamless integration with Windows, making it an excellent alternative for those using modern Apple file systems.

UFS Explorer: UFS Explorer provides advanced disk management capabilities, including support for various file systems, making it a versatile alternative!

Pricing

It offers several pricing plans depending on the level of use:

Standard Version: Priced around $50, this version includes read/write access and basic disk management features.

Pro Version: Priced around $70, this includes additional advanced tools like secure erasing and enhanced disk management.

System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows 10, or 11 (32-bit and 64-bit)
• Processor: 1 GHz or higher
• Memory: 512 MB of RAM (1 GB recommended)
• Hard Drive Space: 50 MB of free space

MacDrive Versions
MacDrive is available in either Standard and Pro versions. Pro includes all Standard features as well as the ability to read and write SoftRAID RAID 0/1 volumes.

License
Perpetual License. Includes one year of the OWC Upgrade + Support Plan.

Disk Compatibility
Read and write APFS and HFS+ disks. Works with almost any Mac disks including hard drives, DVDs, CDs, and more.

PROS

• Seamless integration with Windows Explorer
• Supports both HFS+ and APFS file systems
• Easy to use with a clean interface
• Quick disk repair options

CONS

• Lacks native file recovery features
• Higher price point compared to alternatives

Note: 5 days trial version.