Mounting a Windows drive from macOS can be a useful task, especially if you frequently need to access files or transfer data between the two operating systems. In this article, we will guide you through the process of mounting a Windows drive from macOS using a script. This method is simple and does not require any advanced technical skills.
Step 1: Install Homebrew
Homebrew is a package manager for macOS that allows you to easily install and manage software packages. To install Homebrew, open the Terminal application on your macOS and paste the following command:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
Press Enter and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Step 2: Install NTFS-3G
NTFS-3G is an open-source software that enables read and write access to NTFS partitions on macOS. To install NTFS-3G, open the Terminal application and enter the following command:
brew install ntfs-3g
Press Enter and wait for the installation to finish.
Step 3: Identify the Windows Drive
Before mounting the Windows drive, you need to identify the device identifier of the drive. To do this, open the Terminal application and enter the following command:
diskutil list
This command will display a list of all connected drives. Look for the drive that corresponds to your Windows drive. It is usually labeled as "NTFS" or "Windows_NTFS". Note down the device identifier (e.g., /dev/disk2s1).
Step 4: Create a Mount Point
A mount point is a directory where the Windows drive will be mounted. To create a mount point, open the Terminal application and enter the following command:
sudo mkdir /Volumes/Windows
You will be prompted to enter your macOS password. Enter your password and press Enter.
Step 5: Mount the Windows Drive
Now, it's time to mount the Windows drive using the NTFS-3G software. Open the Terminal application and enter the following command:
sudo /usr/local/bin/ntfs-3g /dev/disk2s1 /Volumes/Windows -olocal -oallow_other
Replace "/dev/disk2s1" with the device identifier you noted down in Step 3. Press Enter and enter your macOS password when prompted.
If everything goes well, the Windows drive will be mounted to the "/Volumes/Windows" directory. You can now access the files and folders on the Windows drive from macOS.
Step 6: Unmount the Windows Drive
When you're done using the Windows drive, it's important to unmount it properly. Open the Terminal application and enter the following command:
sudo umount /Volumes/Windows
Press Enter and enter your macOS password when prompted. The Windows drive will be unmounted, and you can safely disconnect it from your macOS.
That's it! You have successfully mounted a Windows drive from macOS using a script. Now you can easily access and transfer files between the two operating systems.
References
| Reference | Link |
|---|---|
| Homebrew | https://brew.sh/ |
| NTFS-3G | https://www.tuxera.com/community/open-source-ntfs-3g/ |