Quick fix: Install MacDrive (paid) or APFS for Windows by Paragon (paid, ~$50). Free alternative: apfs-fuse via WSL (read-only) or UFS Explorer Standard Recovery (free for read). After install, mount the Mac drive — appears as a drive letter in File Explorer. Copy files off. APFS is read-only; can’t write to it from Windows safely.

APFS (Apple File System) replaced HFS+ on Macs in 2017. Windows doesn’t natively read APFS. To copy files from a Mac drive (USB, external SSD, internal after Mac swap) to Windows: install a third-party APFS reader.

Symptom: Want to read files from a Mac (APFS-formatted) drive on Windows 11 without reformatting.
Affects: Windows 11 (and Windows 10) with Mac drive plugged in.
Fix time: ~15 minutes.

What causes this need

Switching from Mac to Windows: external drive formatted for Mac (APFS). Reformatting erases data. Read-only tools let you copy files before reformatting. Common scenarios:

Migrating from Mac to Windows; old Time Machine drive.
Reading Mac SSD removed from a failed MacBook.
Accessing photos / docs from a friend’s Mac drive.
Forensic / recovery for crashed Mac.

Method 1: Paragon APFS for Windows (paid, easiest)

The recommended route.

Buy APFS for Windows by Paragon from paragon-software.com. About $50 (one-time).
Free 10-day trial available.
Install. Reboot.
Plug in Mac drive (USB).
Windows detects automatically. Drive appears in File Explorer as a normal drive letter.
Browse files normally. Copy to Windows drive.
Read-only by default. Optional write support available in some Paragon versions.
Supports: APFS, APFS encrypted (with password), case-sensitive APFS, snapshots.
For Boot Camp partitions: also supports HFS+ if needed.

This is the easiest paid route.

Method 2: UFS Explorer or apfs-fuse (free)

For no-cost approach.

UFS Explorer Standard Recovery: free for read-only access. Download from ufsexplorer.com.
Install. Open. Plug in Mac drive.
Pick the APFS volume in UFS Explorer’s sidebar.
Browse files. Copy to Windows drive via UFS Explorer’s copy feature.
Caveat: not as smooth as File Explorer integration; in-app file browser.
Alternative: apfs-fuse via WSL (Linux on Windows). More technical.
Steps for apfs-fuse:
- Install WSL: wsl --install -d Ubuntu.
- In WSL: sudo apt install apfs-fuse.
- Mount drive: sudo apfs-fuse /dev/sdX1 /mnt/apfs.
- Browse via WSL. Copy out.
Caveat: WSL doesn’t see physical drives by default; need WSL2 + USBIPD or manual setup.
For Time Machine drives: free HFSExplorer for older HFS+ Time Machine. APFS Time Machine needs Paragon.

This is the free path.

Method 3: Use a Mac to convert files

For one-time migration.

If you have access to a Mac (even briefly):
- Plug Mac drive into the Mac. Copy files to a Windows-compatible drive (exFAT or NTFS).
- Now plug that Windows-formatted drive into Windows. Files transferable.
For cloud route: from Mac, upload files to iCloud / Google Drive / Dropbox. Download on Windows.
For network route: Mac connected on same network. Enable file sharing in Mac System Settings. Map share from Windows.
For one-time transfer of small data: use AirDrop to a phone, then phone to Windows.
For very large transfers: external HDD via exFAT bridge. Format new drive exFAT on Windows; copy from Mac to it.
For Time Machine drives specifically: backup format is APFS sparse bundle. Use Paragon or copy individual files via Mac.

This is the conversion route.

How to verify the fix worked

Mac drive appears in File Explorer with drive letter (Paragon route).
Files browseable.
Copy succeeds without errors.
For UFS Explorer: in-app file list visible.
Files copy fully to Windows drive.

If none of these work

If drive not recognized: Encrypted APFS: need password to mount. Paragon supports; free tools usually don’t. FileVault drives: very encrypted; need original Mac to unlock first. For T2/Apple Silicon Mac drives: internal drives are hardware-encrypted to the Mac’s T2/Secure Enclave. Cannot be read on other hardware. Only external drives are readable. For multiple APFS containers: drives can have multiple containers; pick the one with your files. For corrupted drive: data recovery service. DriveSavers, Ontrack — expensive but possible. For SSD removed from MacBook: M1/M2 Macs use NAND soldered to motherboard; can’t remove. T1/T2 (Intel) Macs: removable SSD encrypted. Last resort: format as exFAT on Mac first: plug into a borrowed Mac, reformat, copy back. Avoids needing Windows-side APFS support.

Bottom line: Paragon APFS for Windows ($50) for smooth integration. UFS Explorer or apfs-fuse for free. If you have a Mac: copy to exFAT drive first.