Western Digital's Passport external drive for Mac isn't eternally bound to macOS. By formatting the Passport as an exFAT or FAT32 drive, you can use it with Windows computers, too. Using onboard. Now, I have a PC with Windows 8 (functions with the same apps as Windows 7) and I bought a new 1 TB WD Passport that I want to transfer all of my old files to (Mac music, pictures, files). Both my Mac and my WD Passport configured for a Mac are going to stop working soon (mac old, WD was dropped) so I want to do this asap.
Note: This article only applies to Western Digital external hard drives. It does not apply to Western Digital network hard drives like the. All WD external drives function as storage devices that you can use on either the Windows or Mac Operating System without any additional software. Some WD drives come with software, but you are not required to use this software in order to use the drive effectively with your computer.
Data can be moved or copied on and off the drive with or without software. The tips below describe how to locate your data and copy it to an external hard drive. Also, these tips go over creating and maintaining backups, both with and without backup software. There are 5 topics detailed in this answer:. ). Topic #1 - Locating your data( Pictures, Videos, Music, Documents, etc.): Before you can copy any data to an external drive, you need to locate your data first. Installed programs can store their data in a variety of locations.
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If you want to backup data from your programs like iTunes or financial software it is recommended that you check with the manufacturer or documentation for the software and find out where it stores the data and what the recommended procedure is to back it up. Windows typically stores its data in locations accessible through the side bar within the File Explorer folder. When you have an open File Explorer folder, you’ll see a list of documents, pictures, music, and videos on the left side. The macOS typically stores its data in locations accessible through the side bar within the Finder.
When you have an open Finder window, you’ll see a list of documents, pictures, music, and videos on the left side. Another way to find your files is to use the search function built into the Windows and Macintosh Operating Systems. Please see the links below for instructions on using the search function in these Operating Systems.
Topic #2 - Transferring files using copy and paste or drag and drop: Both Windows and the Mac Operating Systems incorporate a feature called “ drag and drop” or “ copy and paste”. There are several options for moving, copying, and backing-up files from one drive to another: Windows: The most common method of moving files or folders from one hard drive to another would be to right-click on the source file or folder and choose copy or cut from the menu. The file or folder is now ready to be transferred. Go to the destination where you want to put the file and then right click in the windows and choose paste. Make sure that you are not right-clicking on another file or folder. The data should then be transferred from the source to the destination.
Note: If you choose the copy option, the original file or folder will remain on the source drive and a copy of the file will be created on the destination drive when you paste it there. If you choose the cut option, the original file or folder from the source will be moved to the destination when you paste it there. Macintosh: The most common method of moving a file or folder from one location to another on a Macintosh computer would be to open both the source and destination so they are both visible on the desktop. To move the file or folder from the source to the destination, click and hold the mouse button on the file or folder. The Operating System will highlight the file or folder. You then drag the file or folder from the source window to the destination window and let go of the mouse button.
The file or folder will disappear from the source and will now exist exclusively on the destination. To copy the file or folder from the source to the destination, click and hold the mouse button on the file or folder. The OS will highlight the file or folder. You then press and hold down the Option Key while you drag the file from the source window to the destination window.
Let go of the mouse button and option key and the file or folder will copy to the source window. Topic #3 - What is a backup and how do I back up data to a WD external hard drive? One of the most important things to know is what a backup is and what it is not. A “backup” by its definition is a duplicate copy of data. A backup is not a backup if the data is stored only in one location.
Moving data from a computer system to an external hard drive is not a backup, unless there is already a duplicate of the file on a different storage location. Western Digital recommends that best practice is to keep a backup of your important data at all times.
Maintaining a valid backup protects against: computer viruses, data corruption, hardware issues, or environmental hazards. Always remember that backup means that the data is stored in at least two (2) locations. If you have a backup of your data and one of the devices fail, you will have the data stored in a second location that you can access and no data is lost. A backup can be created by copying or drag and dropping a file from one location to another. With this method, you manually keep your files up to date by re-copying the new data to the destination. This is covered in Topic #2 above.
Another way to backup your data is to use software. Software will copy the data to the destination on its own after you setup what is usually called a backup plan. This method is covered in Topic #4 below. Topic #4 - Using Backup Software built into the Operating System: Both Windows and the Macintosh Operating System have built in backup capability.
In many cases, you can back up your data files or the entire Operating System. See the links below for instructions on using the backup software built into both operating systems. Note: Western Digital does not support any third party software. The backup software will be supported by the OS manufacturer. Topic #5 - Using the software that came with the WD external hard drive: The listings below are for backup or synchronization software that may have come with your WD drive.
Not all Western Digital drives come with software or the same software. The drive that you purchase is only supported with the software that it comes with, and is mentioned on the product package. WD SmartWare WD SmartWare allows users to set scheduled backups in addition to the continuous backup option. WD SmartWare is a Windows only software. It is recommended using the built-in utility from Apple for backing up a macOS computer.
Please see for more information. WD Backup WD Backup can create scheduled and immediate backups. However, it is not designed for full system backups. WD Backup is a Windows only software for WD DAS (Direct Attached Storage). It is recommended using the built-in utility from Apple for backing up a macOS computer.
Please see for more information. Topic #6 - Safe Connection and Disconnection of the external hard drive: Both Windows and Mac Operating Systems will read and write data to the drive, even if you are not using your computer. If you want to leave your computer on and disconnect the drive, you will need to safely remove ('eject' on Mac) the drive before you unplug it. Otherwise, you will need to turn off the computer before disconnecting the drive. Please see for directions on how to safely remove an external hard drive. In case the answer did not answer your question, you can always visit the for help from WD users.
I have a program called 'Finale Songwriter 2012' that I use to write and arrange a lot of music. I've copied most of the files on my Passport to my computer but have a problem. I can't seem to find some of the files on my computer that I know I copied. I've tried to search for them but they don't show up.
Now the problem is that I don't remember how I copied the files from my Passport to my computer in the first place. Can someone tell me how to copy files from my Passport to my computer?
I'm also a novice on the Windows 7 thing. I had Windows XP but this Windows 7 has me very confused. I am going through the training that is provided so I'll get there eventually. If you have any suggestions on the best way to learn Windows 7 I would greatly appreciate it. Perhaps the easiest way to do this is to drag-and-drop the files. Here's how you can get the E: drive and your new computer's folders side-by-side to make it easy:. Type + E to show the File Explorer.
Go to Computer and open your E: drive to see the files from your old computer. Drag this Explorer window to one side of the screen. Press + E again to show another Explorer Window. Open up your Documents folder (or any folder you like). Move this to the other side of the screen. Drag the files from one to the other to copy them to their new homes.
Shawn 'Cmdr' Keene Microsoft MVP - Windows Insider CmdrKeene.com tweet me: @LtCmdrKeene Microsoft MVPs are independent experts offering real-world answers. Learn more at mvp.microsoft.com. Thank you so much.
I just knew there had to be an easier way to copy files from one place to another without having to go through 'Windows Easy Transfer.' That program isn't so 'easy.' I'm not sure I like the Windows 7 but I don't have much choice. I like my Windows XP so much more and not just because I've had it longer either. People are creatures of habits and when you mess with that, we all get very confused and frustrated.
I don't know how Windows 8 is but I hope it's easier then 7. Thanks again for your help. I'm sure I'll have more questions later. I think Easy Transfer is only easier for those who don't want to collect the files themselves.
But I sure feel like directly dragging them is more reliable and you can be more confident of where you put it. Easy Transfer is like having someone else unpack your stuff when you move:( If you have any questions about Windows 7 let me know. Windows 8 is actually a more significant change than Windows 7 was.
Windows 8 was rebuilt with competition like the iPad in mind, so there's a lot of big icons and less menus. It's nice, but takes getting used to. Shawn 'Cmdr' Keene Microsoft MVP - Windows Insider CmdrKeene.com tweet me: @LtCmdrKeene Microsoft MVPs are independent experts offering real-world answers. Learn more at mvp.microsoft.com.