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SPECIFICTION
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HFSExplorer

catacombae.org

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
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Spec score 7.8 #13 of 31 in File Viewer Software

What it is

HFSExplorer is a free, read-only desktop program for browsing Mac-formatted hard disks and disk images on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports HFS, HFS+, and HFSX file systems. Its graphical browser can show volume information and extract files, and the program can create disk images. It reads most Mac.dmg and.sparsebundle images, including zlib- or bzip2-compressed images and AES-128- or AES-256-encrypted images. Supported partition schemes are Master Boot Record, GUID Partition Table, and Apple Partition Map. The listed price is free, and the software is released under GPL version 3 with no warranties. HFSExplorer requires Java SE Runtime Environment version 5.0 or later; its page says OpenJDK works. Accessing physical disks requires administrator or equivalent privileges. The page also describes a separate minimal text-mode program as unmaintained and limited to HFS+. Bug reports and discussion are directed to GitHub. The listed latest version is 2026.4.9, dated April 9, 2026.

Spec sheet

Purpose
HFSExplorer reads Mac-formatted hard disks and disk images.Read 7 Oct 2026 · catacombae.org
Platforms
The Windows installer is offered alongside a cross-platform ZIP distribution; the page describes ZIP use on Linux, macOS and FreeBSD.Read 7 Oct 2026 · catacombae.org
Support
The page directs bug reports to GitHub issue tracking and discussions to GitHub discussion forums.Read 7 Oct 2026 · catacombae.org
Maker
The HFSExplorer page identifies Erik Larsson as the contact for bug reports and feedback.Read 7 Oct 2026 · catacombae.org
Browse and extract
It provides a graphical file system browser to browse volumes, extract files, view volume information and create disk images.Read 7 Oct 2026 · catacombae.org
Command line
The page describes a minimal, unmaintained text-mode program that supports HFS+ only.Read 7 Oct 2026 · catacombae.org
Disk images
It reads most Mac .dmg and .sparsebundle images, including zlib- or bzip2-compressed images and AES-128- or AES-256-encrypted images.Read 7 Oct 2026 · catacombae.org
File systems
It supports HFS, HFS+ and HFSX file systems.Read 7 Oct 2026 · catacombae.org
Latest version
The page lists version 2026.4.9, dated April 9, 2026, as the latest release.Read 7 Oct 2026 · catacombae.org
License and cost
It is released under GPL version 3 and provided for free with no warranties.Read 7 Oct 2026 · catacombae.org
Partition schemes
It supports Master Boot Record, GUID Partition Table and Apple Partition Map schemes.Read 7 Oct 2026 · catacombae.org
Physical disks
Accessing physical disks requires administrator or equivalent privileges.Read 7 Oct 2026 · catacombae.org
Read-only
The program operates in read-only mode.Read 7 Oct 2026 · catacombae.org
Requirements
It requires Java SE Runtime Environment version 5.0 or greater; the page says OpenJDK works fine.Read 7 Oct 2026 · catacombae.org

Plans and prices

HFSExplorer Free Free software · GPL version 3 · Read-only Read 7 Oct 2026 · catacombae.org

Every HFSExplorer plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports HFS, HFS+, and HFSX.
  • Reads most .dmg and .sparsebundle images.
  • Handles three listed partition schemes.
  • Available free on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Limits

  • Read-only operation.
  • Requires Java SE Runtime Environment 5.0 or later.
  • Physical disk access requires administrator privileges.
  • The separate text-mode program is unmaintained and HFS+ only.

Who it suits

HFSExplorer suits users who need to browse or extract files from Mac-formatted disks and images on Linux, macOS, or Windows. It is read-only, so it is for access rather than writing to those file systems.

Verdict

HFSExplorer covers common Mac file systems, disk images, and partition schemes with a graphical browser. Its read-only mode and Java requirement are important constraints to check before use.

Where Specifiction places it

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