As far as I know there is no way to connect a Windows computer to an AFP share; the double Mac mini solution sounds like overkill, and you are going to have problems ensuring that two people don’t write to the same file at the same time.

What protocol does macOS use for file sharing with Windows?

Mac OS X has always supported two network protocols: AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) is Apple’s native file sharing protocol for Mac. SMB (Server Messaging Block) is the native file sharing protocol for Windows and is typically used for NAS storage.

Does Apple still support AFP?

Way back in OS X 10.9 Mavericks, Apple began moving away from AFP in favor of the industry-standard SMB, although it still hasn’t removed support.

Is AFP obsolete?

AFP is Apple’s own protocol which was originally developed for Classic macOS, and has been widely supported by networked devices including storage such as NAS. But its use has now been deprecated for six years, since OS X 10.9 Mavericks.

How do I enable AFP on Windows?

Check the Advanced File sharing options again in Windows under Network and Sharing Center to make sure Public folder sharing is enabled and File Sharing is enabled. Also, open System Preferences on the Mac and open Sharing, select File Sharing > Options and make sure SMB and AFP are checked.

What is file sharing using AFP?

AFP is a network file control protocol system specifically designed for Mac-based platforms. AFP is common for faster networks where large files need to be transferred – the norm in graphics/print/video environments where Macs are commonly used.

How do I use AFP on Mac?

Click GO in the Finder Menu bar, then choose “Connect to Server” Type in afp:// followed by the IP address. Click “Connect” to proceed. A prompt will appear requesting a user name and password. Enter the information for a user on the drive, and any shares on the device will be accessible.

How do I enable AFP?

At Control Panel > File Services > SMB/AFP/NFS, you can enable AFP service to make Synology NAS a Mac file server (AFP server).

Is AFP encrypted?

Your password for authentication may be encrypted depending on what you are authenticating to, but the AFP transfer is not encrypted.

How do I enable AFP on Mac?

Configure and Start AFP Service

  1. In Server Admin on your Mac OS X computer, select the AFP service, then click the Settings button in the toolbar.
  2. Click the Access tab, choose Any Method from the Authentication pop-up menu, and select the “Enable Guest access” option.

How do I access AFP on Mac?

What is the Apple Filing Protocol ( AFP)?

The Apple Filing Protocol ( AFP ), formerly AppleTalk Filing Protocol, is a proprietary network protocol, and part of the Apple File Service ( AFS ), that offers file services for macOS and the classic Mac OS. In Mac OS 9 and earlier, AFP was the primary protocol for file services.

What is the AFP file extension?

It is a protocol through which the file system on remote computers can be accessed. AFP is not widely used outside of Apple networks, and unless you are working on networks that use Apple Macintosh systems, you are unlikely to encounter AFP.

What are the system requirements to connect to AFP on Mac?

For example, the maximum file size in Mac OS 8 is 2 gigabytes. Typically, Mac OS 9.1 or later is recommended for connecting to AFP 3.x servers; for versions of original Mac OS prior to 9.1, installation of the AppleShare client 3.8.8 is required.

What is AFP and why should I use it?

AFP is the native file and printer sharing protocol for Macs and it supports many unique Mac attributes that are not supported by other protocols. So for the best performance, and 100% compatibility, AFP should be used. AFP provides the most compatible sharing with the Mac file system (HFS+).