Connect to a Windows computer from a Mac
You can connect to Windows computers and servers on your network from your Mac.
For instructions on setting up the Windows computer, see Set up Windows to share files with Mac users.
Connect to a Windows computer by browsing
In the Finder
on your Mac, choose Go > Connect to Server, then click Browse.Find the computer’s name in the Shared section of the Finder sidebar, then click it to connect. You may need to click All to see all the shared computers.
When you locate the shared computer or server, select it, then click Connect As.
In some cases you need the network area or workgroup for the shared computer. If you don’t have this information, contact the computer’s owner or your network administrator.
If necessary, enter your username and password, then select volumes or shared folders on the server.
Passwords for Windows computers and servers are often 14 characters or fewer. Check with the owner or administrator to be sure.
To make it easier to connect to the computer in the future, select “Remember this password in my keychain” to add your username and password for the computer to your keychain.
Connect to a Windows computer by entering its address
In the Finder
on your Mac, choose Go > Connect to Server.Type the network address for the computer in the Server Address field using one of these formats:
smb://DNSname/sharename
smb://IPaddress/sharename
For information about the correct format for network addresses, see Network address formats for shared computers and servers.
Follow the onscreen instructions to type the workgroup name and a username and password, then choose the shared folder you want to access.
If you don’t know the workgroup name and the network name (called the computer name) for the Windows computer, contact the person who owns the computer or your network administrator.
If necessary, enter your username and password and select volumes or shared folders on the server.
Passwords for Windows computers and servers are often 14 characters or fewer. Check with the owner or administrator to be sure you have the correct password.
To make it easier to connect to the computer in the future, select “Remember this password in my keychain” to add your username and password for the computer to your keychain.
Connect using an Ethernet cable
Connect your Mac to the Windows computer using a standard Ethernet cable. If your Mac doesn’t have an Ethernet port, try using a USB-to-Ethernet adapter.
Connecting the two computers creates a small local network that consists of just the two computers.
On the Windows computer, turn on file sharing. Refer to the instructions that came with the Windows computer if you’re not sure how to do this.
Make sure the Internet Connection Firewall is turned off on the Windows computer, or if it’s on, make sure TCP port 445 is open to allow sharing connections.
For more information, refer to the user manual and onscreen help for the Windows computer.
On the Mac, choose Go > Connect to Server, then click Browse, or type the network address for the computer in the Server Address field.
Reconnect to recent computers or servers
Here are some ways to make it easy to reconnect to shared computers and servers you frequently use:
On your Mac, choose Apple menu
In the Finder
on your Mac, choose Go > Connect to Server, click the pop-up menu to the far right of the Server Address field, then choose a recent server.Add shared computers, network areas and workgroups to the Finder sidebar. Select the item, then choose File > Add To Sidebar or press Command-T.
Add a shared computer or server to your list of favourites. In the Finder on your Mac, choose Go > Connect to Server, enter the network address, then click the Add button
.
If you can’t locate a shared computer or server or connect to it, it may not be available, or you may not have permission to connect to it. Contact the person who owns the computer or the network administrator for help.