📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses concerns about transferring data from a stolen MacBook to a Windows system, with the original poster worried about file compatibility and external drive recognition issues. A contributor recommends using MacDrive to recover Mac files on Windows, while another shares an alternative approach of building a new Windows PC and running Mac software via VMware. Overall, the discussion highlights challenges in transitioning from Mac to Windows and offers practical solutions, with a focus on data recovery and software compatibility.

Troy Santos

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2015
Messages
1
Thread Author #1
:))
My Macbook was stolen a few days ago and now it's time to get a new computer. Not certain that I'll get another Mac. Aside from several things that I'm not crazy about with Apple and the Macbook, there's this consideration. I backed up my whole hard drive onto an external hard disk. Whenever I insert the external drive into a PC and click My Computer, the external disk doesn't show up. It only shows up when I go to eject it. So, I'm wondering if I've got an enormous headache waiting to greet me if I try to convert the Mac files (mostly Pages documents) to Windows files. And, wondering what other unforseen fun is in store if I choose a PC. Suggestions, advice, experiences .... All greatly welcome.
Thanks much
:))
 

Solution
I can only share my personal experience when I had to help a friend recover from a similar situation.
I actually purchased a product call MacDrive (standard edition) from a company called Mediafour.
I'm not sure what their 5 day free trial version might allow you to actually accomplish but I can tell you that the purchased version works as advertised and allowed me to recover all of his files from his backup drive.
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Trouble

Noob Whisperer
Joined
Nov 30, 2009
Messages
13,722
I can only share my personal experience when I had to help a friend recover from a similar situation.
I actually purchased a product call MacDrive (standard edition) from a company called Mediafour.
I'm not sure what their 5 day free trial version might allow you to actually accomplish but I can tell you that the purchased version works as advertised and allowed me to recover all of his files from his backup drive.
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Solution

ussnorway

Windows Forum Team
Staff member
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
4,597
I had a client in much the same boat... in his case we built him a new Windows 8 system (less than 1/2 the cost) then used vmware to install a V-mac onto it so he could still run some of the needed software.
Macs are very different to Windows so this may not be a easy setup to ajust too.