Opening Remote Files

users
#1

maybe I can help here - after finally getting a Mac, I found that I
needed to keep a MsFt machine in order to have these computers
'communicate. ?';
          I found that by using DropBox or Google's Drive I could swap
files but if I wanted to access something saved on an external HD, then
that HD had to first be made for the Mac [either (1) copy all files to a
Mac-compatible HD or (2) remove the files, make the HD Mac-compatible then
replace the files; then your files can be seen by these Mac programs]

       I'm assuming Win 8 will function as Win 7 ... ... ...
          [well, I'm a researcher, historian - was able to maintain the
middle-ground between the computer nerd & the newbie, but that
middle-ground is harder & harder to maintain now]

       Hoping this helps,
          maybe someone with more computer knowledge will be able to help
you further,