Windows can see Mac files?

Discussion in 'Windows, Linux & Others on the Mac' started by xArtx, Sep 21, 2013.

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  1. xArtx, Sep 21, 2013

    xArtx macrumors 6502a

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    Mar 30, 2012
    #1
    Hi Guys,
    I got Windows 7 up & running on my Mac mini with Bootcamp.
    The first thing I did was click on My Computer,
    and I can see the Mac hard drive partition and the files in it.

    I would have thought the Mac file system would have been hidden
    from Windows so all of it's dirty viruses can't see the Mac files.

    If this is the case, I'd prefer to get a second Mac mini for Windows,
    so it can't wreck the Mac OS.
    Cheers, Art.
     
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  2. maflynn, Sep 21, 2013

    maflynn Moderator

    maflynn

    Staff Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Boston
    #2
    By default windows does not have the capability to read/write HFS+ volumes, so its strange that you can now see files on your Mac partition. Did you install any utilities such as MacDrive which gives windows the ability to read/write HFS+ volumes.
     
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  3. xArtx, Sep 21, 2013

    xArtx thread starter macrumors 6502a

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    Mar 30, 2012
    #3
    When I boot from USB, Windows said it wouldn't install on any of my partitions
    because of their filesystem, so I let it format the Bootcamp partition,
    then it installed itself.
    But it wasn't going to let me continue any other way.
    I did the partition initially with the Bootcamp utility.

    + I only installeled what Bootcamp installs by itself. Nothing else.

    ----------

    It could perhaps be ok, if the Windows never sees the internet?
     
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  4. xcodeSyn, Sep 21, 2013

    xcodeSyn macrumors 6502a

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    Nov 25, 2012
    #4
    I can confirm that the OS X partitions show up in Windows 7 under Boot Camp, and I was able to read the files with the appropriate Windows programs. I am pretty sure this has something to do with the latest Boot Camp drivers installed since they did not appear before the drivers were installed. I think Windows 7 only has the read access and doubt that the potential virus would wreck the OS X partitions without any write access. One of the reasons for Boot Camp is to run programs and exchange files in multiple platforms, I am sure more people would appreciate this read capability.

    Edit: Just tried to write a file from Windows to an OS X partition, and as expected it won't go through.
     
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  5. xArtx, Sep 21, 2013

    xArtx thread starter macrumors 6502a

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    Mar 30, 2012
    #5
    Hi,
    Thanks for the reply :)

    I kind of left the thread because I was working on the PC side.
    Gone are the days of the KVM switch I suppose, since you need
    to boot one OS or the other if you want a native Windows.

    From Windows 7, I did open a text file that was on my Mac desktop,
    but was not able to delete it.
    Windows just gives some odd error, and I did try to delete the file a few times.

    So it looks good :)
     
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  6. MJL, Sep 21, 2013
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2013

    MJL macrumors 6502a

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2011
    #6
    Windows will read the OS X files and OS X will read the Windows NTFS files (7 & 8 confirmed). Will not write to the other OS filesystem so you are safe.

    Potentially the only (minimal) risk will be if you are using ExFAT filessystem to which both OS's can read/write.

    Windows malware has no effect in OS X. OS X malware (if it exists) will not affect Windows. If your anti-malware is up to scratch then that will start at boot time so there is no worry - it is no different than if you were to plug in an USB memory key that has been used on another computer.
     
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  7. xArtx, Sep 21, 2013

    xArtx thread starter macrumors 6502a

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    Mar 30, 2012
    #7
    I want to use it for programming, and can probably can keep it off the
    internet.
    It was great to be able to get rid of a nine year old P4 PC,
    THe Mac is a bit of an upgrade :)


     
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