Share Files from Mac OS X Yosemite to PC Windows 8

After upgrading to latest OS X Yosemite you many need to setup again file sharing options. We already posted file sharing guides for different version of OS X like Lion, Mavericks and now for OS X Yosmite. The process to share files from OS X Yosmite to Windows 8 is very much similar to old one. Lets see how to share Yosemite files or folders with Windows 8 over WiFi or LAN.

file-sharing-os-x-yosemite-windows-8

See also: Share Internet Connecton Mac OS X

Share Files Mac OS X Yosemite to Windows 8

Note: Both Windows and OS X computers must using same WiFi or Cable internet connection.

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Steps on Mac OS X Yosemite

Step-1

First we need to enable file sharing option on OS X Yosemite and then setup few option in it. So, click on Apple icon and select System Preferences.

mac-system-pref

Step-2

On System Preferences windows click on Sharing icon to open sharing window.

mac-sharing

Step-3

Here on Sharing window

  1. Enable File Sharing option.
  2. Select folder that you want to share with Windows by clicking on + sign, as you can see below a “ScreenShots” folder is added in the list. You can add more that one folder.
  3. After that select folder from the list and then select User name from the right side (You can create and add a different user If its not already in the list.). Finally set the rights for the user to Read and Write or according to the requirement
enable-file-sharing-folder-and-user

Step-4

We need to set few more sharing options so,

  • Click the Option button.
  • Check the option “Share files and folders using SMB
  • Select Username as show below.
  • Enter the password if prompted.
  • click OK and then Done buttons.
file-sharing-options

Step-5

Note down the IP address of you Mac computer as show below.

.mac-ip-address

Steps on Windows

Now got to your Windows computer and hit the Win+R keys from keyboard to open Run window. In Run windows Type the IP address of your Mac computer followed by two back-slashes as show below (See the previous step-5 to find IP address of your Mac). Hit Ok button to access Mac computer.

access-mac-files-through-ip

Enter the Username and password for the user that you selected while sharing folder in Step-3.3 on OS X.

enter-password-to-access-mac-files

After entering correct username and password you will able to see shared folder and files of Mac on Windows.

mac-shared-folder-on-windows-8

Please use comments form below if you have any question.

11 comments… add one
joao carlos December 3, 2014, 1:12 pm

I think some steps are needed to explore more the concept of User Account in Mac and in Windows. I tried in both directions using accounts and didn’t get to log in from Windows to Mac, possible because of issues like Workgroup/Domain Name for the User in Windows.

Victor December 12, 2014, 8:20 pm

The steps did not work for me – specifically step # 4. The user name with the check box next to it were both disabled and I can’t select it. Anyone know why?

Phil January 9, 2015, 9:00 am

I get the same problem and was not able to find any info to resolve this. I think it may have something to do with my Airport Time Capsule setting but I’m just guessing.

TrickyWays January 9, 2015, 7:32 pm

@Phil and @Victor

Now check the step-4.2 that was missing, you have to check the SMB file and folder sharing option to select the users from the list. If you still having any problem please let me know, Thanks.

Iain February 13, 2015, 1:33 pm

I couldn’t get “Run + IP address” to work until I enabled “Client for Microsoft Networks’ in my adapter properties. Now everything works fine.

Don Birdsall April 23, 2015, 5:36 pm

Excellent tutorial.

Thank you.

Gary Flagg May 24, 2015, 2:54 am

Worked great once I realized that the user name on Mac had 2 spaces between words.
So , 1 question: Do these files once dragged onto desktop remain permanently on the windows 7 pc?
Thanks for your detailed explanation of transfer process, really helped

Ahmed May 25, 2015, 10:09 pm

Yes, if you have made a copy of the files on your Windows desktop then remain permanently until you remove them.

Ayu June 28, 2015, 8:53 am

I’ve tried to do the steps from windows but it kept saying that I need new app to open the smb. So, do you know what’s the name of the app that I need to download?

TrickyWays June 30, 2015, 2:42 am

Would you please mention your installed OS X version on Mac and which step your are getting the message “need new app to open smb”

james October 14, 2015, 4:42 pm

But how do you log onto the mac if it’s not part of a domain and the windows user is? I get prompted for a domain password, and if I do 10.203.20.165\mac user and add the password it doesn’t work…

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