How to Connect a PC to a Mac

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Last Updated: February 24, 2025 Tested

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• Creating a Physical Connection
|
• Configuring the Windows PC
|
• Configuring the Mac
|
• Tips

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Although the two machines have different operating systems, you can still connect a Windows PC and Mac to each other and share files. You don’t need any expensive equipment. All you need is an Ethernet cable.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Creating a Physical Connection

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1. 
   1
   Get an Ethernet/LAN Cable.
2. 
   2
   Plug the cable to the Ethernet port on both of the machines.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Configuring the Windows PC

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1. 
   1
   Open a window on your PC.
2. 
   2
   Go to Homegroup. On the directory panel at the left side of the window, click on “Homegroup.”
3. 
   3
   Click on “Create a Homegroup” button.
4. 
   4
   Check all the type of files you want to share (documents, images, etc.) and click on “Next.”
5. 
   5
   Remember the password. On the following page, you’ll be given a password. Take note of the password. You’ll be using that later once you try to connect your Mac to your PC.
6. 
   6
   Click on “Finish” once you’re done.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Configuring the Mac

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1. 
   1
   Click on “Go” on the menu bar at the upper left of the desktop.
2. 
   2
   Select “Connect to Server.”
3. 
   3
   Type in your PC’s network address on the Server Address field. Use the following format:

   • smb://username@computername/sharename – i.e.: smb://johnny@mypc/users.
   • If the above format won’t work, you can use the Windows PC’s IP address: smb://IPaddress/sharename.
4. 
   4
   Click on the Plus (+) button to add it to the server list.
5. 
   5
   Click on the Server Address you’ve just added, and click on “Connect.”
6. 
   6
   Type in the password that you got from the Windows PC. Click on “Connect.”
7. 
   7
   Open your Mac’s Finder. The Windows PC’s name should now appear on the left panel under the Shared section.
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Tips

• To get your Windows PC’s name, right-click on the My Computer icon on your desktop and select “Properties.”
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• You can’t create a Homegroup if you’re connected to the Internet.
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• If your Mac doesn’t have an Ethernet port, you can use a USB-to-Ethernet cable and connect it to a Windows PC using the same method.
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