If you're plugging it into a friends computer and transferring it to them, yes it will work. Just drag and drop or copy and paste the files to their new location. However, if it is like the others have said, where it's a new or formatted computer with no OS (Operating System, e.g Windows) then no. To be able to see, use, or have any function with those files you need an operating system installed.

By the way if you don't need the files on the external hard drive after transferring them just Cut and Paste rather than Copy and Paste, Cutting moves the files a lot faster.