You can connect to Windows computers and servers on the network from your Mac.
For instructions on setting up a Windows computer, see Set up Windows computers to share files with Mac users.
Connect to a Windows computer by browsing
In the Finder, select Go> Connect to Server, and then click Browse.
Find the name of the computer in the Share section of the Finder sidebar, then click on that name to connect. You may need to click All to see all the computers that are shared.
When you identify the computer or server to be shared, select the computer or server, and then click Connect As.
In some cases, you need network area or workgroup for shared computer. If you do not have this information, contact your computer owner or network administrator.
If necessary, enter your user name and password, then select the drive or folder to be shared on the server.
Passwords for Windows computers and servers are usually 14 characters or less. For sure, check with the owner or administrator.
To make it easier to connect to a computer in the future, select "Remember this password in my keychain" to add a computer username and password to your keychain.
Connect to a Windows computer by entering the address of the computer
In the Finder, select Go> Connect to Server.
Enter the network address for the computer in the Server Address field using one of the following formats:
smb: // DNSname / sharename
smb: // IPaddress / sharename
For information on the correct format for network addresses, see Network address format for shared computers and servers.
Follow the on-screen instructions to enter the workgroup name and user name and password, then select the shared folder you want to access.
If you do not know the name of the workgroup and the network name (called a computer name) for your Windows computer, contact your computer owner or network administrator.
If necessary, enter your user name and password and select the shared drive or folder on the server.
Passwords for Windows computers and servers are usually 14 characters or less. Check with the owner or administrator to make sure you have the correct password.
To make it easier to connect to a computer in the future, select "Remember this password in my keychain" to add a computer username and password to your keychain.
Connected by Ethernet cable
Connect your Mac to your Windows PC with a regular Ethernet cable. If your Mac does not have an Ethernet port, try using a USB adapter to Ethernet.
Connecting two computers will create a small local area network consisting of only two computers.
On a Windows computer, turn on file sharing. Refer to the instructions provided with your Windows computer if you are unsure how to do so.
Make sure the Internet Connection Firewall is turned off on your Windows computer or if it is on, making sure TCP port 445 is open to allow shared connections.
For more information, refer to the user guide and the on-screen help for Windows.
On a Mac, select Go> Connect to server, then click Browse or enter the network address for the computer in the Server Address field.
Reconnect to a recent computer or server
Here are some ways to make it easy to reconnect to the computers and shared servers you use:
Select the Apple menu> Recent Item, then select from the list of recent servers.
Select Go to> Connect to Servers, click the pop-up menu at the far right of the Host Address field, and then select the server you're currently in.
Add computers, network zones, and workgroups to the Finder sidebar. Select the item, then select File> Add to Sidebar or press Command-T.
Add a shared computer or server to your favorites list. Select Go> Connect to Host, enter the network address, then click the Add button.
If you can not identify a computer or server that is shared or can not connect to them, the computer or server may be unavailable or you may not have permission to connect to them. Contact the computer owner or network administrator for assistance.
