HFSExplorer

by Erik Larsson

Free, open-source Java tool for reading Mac-formatted HFS, HFS+ and HFSX disks and disk images on Windows.

Operating system: Windows

Publisher: Erik Larsson

Release: HFSExplorer 2021.10.9

License: Open source (GPLv3+)

Antivirus check: VirusTotal report

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HFSExplorer is ideal for users looking to work with disk images and Mac-formatted hard disks. It allows the user to read file systems such as HFS (Mac OS Standard), HFS+ (Mac OS Extended) and HFSX (Mac OS Extended with case-sensitive file names). It lets users browse through Mac volumes and directories to find specific files and folders. It allows the user to extract data and then copy them to a hard disk drive. It also allows users to view detailed information about the chosen volumes, files and directories.

HFSExplorer allows users to read different disk images such as .dmg and .sparsebundle files, including zlib- and bzip2-compressed images and AES-128 or AES-256 encrypted ones. It also allows users to work with various partition schemes, such as the Master Boot Record, Apple Partition Map, and GUID Partition Table. This software is especially useful for owners of Intel-based Macs who run Windows through Boot Camp, since Windows cannot read the Mac partition on its own. It is essential for accessing specific files and directories on a Mac OS X hard drive from Windows.

HFSExplorer supports all three HFS variants and lets users work with physical drives as well as image files. It is simple and easy to use, equipped with a plain Explorer-like interface that does not take long to learn. Access is read-only, so the program does not change the Mac volume, and it can also create a disk image from a volume. HFSExplorer is free, open-source software by Erik Larsson, released under the GNU GPL version 3, and it runs on Windows, macOS and Linux with Java installed. It works with Mac-formatted disks and disk images, meaning that it applies to many users who need to move files from a Mac drive to a PC.

Lets Windows users browse Mac-formatted disks and .dmg images and extract files from them to a PC drive.

Features:

  • Work with disk images and Mac-formatted hard disks.
  • Browse a variety of directories and extract files to disk.
  • View detailed information about volumes and files.
  • Simple and user-friendly interface.
Windows, macOS, Linux or FreeBSD
Java SE Runtime Environment 5.0 or later

PROS
Reads Mac-formatted hard disks, CD-ROMs and .dmg images.
Free, open-source software under the GNU GPL.
Handles compressed and encrypted disk images.

CONS
Requires a Java runtime to be installed.
Read-only: it cannot write files to Mac volumes.
Does not support APFS, the newer Mac file system.
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