Creating a Mac OS Extended (HFS+) formatted USB drive on Windows can be tricky since Windows doesn’t natively support the HFS+ file system. However, with the right tools, it’s a straightforward process. In this guide, we’ll show you how to create a Mac-compatible USB drive using TransMac.
What You’ll Need
- A Windows PC
- A USB drive
- TransMac software (15-day free trial available)
- Files you want to transfer to Mac
Step 1: Download and Install TransMac
- Visit the Acute Systems website
- Download TransMac
- Install the software on your Windows PC
- Launch TransMac – it will start with a 15-day trial
Important Note: Make sure to complete your formatting and file transfers within the trial period.
Step 2: Format Your USB Drive
- Insert your USB drive into your Windows PC
- Open TransMac
- In the left sidebar, locate your USB drive
- ==Right-click on the USB drive==
- Select “Format Disk for Mac”
- Wait for the formatting process to complete
Warning: Formatting will erase all data on the drive. Make sure to backup any important files before proceeding.
Step 3: Transfer Files to Your Mac-Formatted USB
- Once formatting is complete, ==double-click the USB drive== in TransMac’s left sidebar
- You can now drag and drop files directly into the TransMac window
- Alternatively, use the toolbar buttons to copy files to the drive
- Wait for the file transfer to complete
Step 4: Safely Remove the Drive
- Wait for all file transfers to complete
- ==Right-click the USB drive== in TransMac
- Select “Disconnect”
- Remove the USB drive from your PC
Common Issues and Solutions
- “Drive Not Recognized”: Ensure the USB drive is properly connected and try a different USB port
- “Format Failed”: Try unplugging and reconnecting the USB drive, then attempt formatting again
- “Slow Transfer Speeds”: This is normal when writing to HFS+ format on Windows – be patient
Conclusion
You now have a Mac OS Extended (HFS+) formatted USB drive that’s fully compatible with macOS. This drive can be used to transfer files between Windows and Mac systems, create bootable Mac drives, or store Mac-specific data.
Pro Tip: ==Label your USB drive clearly as “Mac Formatted” to avoid confusion later, since it won’t be readable on Windows without TransMac installed.==
Note: While TransMac offers a 15-day trial period, consider purchasing a license if you frequently work with Mac-formatted drives on Windows.
