ReFS (Resilient File System) has long been a staple in the Windows Server ecosystem, and it is now making its way into the consumer realm with the upcoming Windows 11 2024 Update. Among the new features introduced in Windows 11 24H2 is Block Cloning, a significant enhancement aimed at bolstering the performance of development drives.
Previously exclusive to various iterations of Windows Server—including 2025, 2022, 2019, and 2016—Block Cloning streamlines the process of data duplication. Instead of creating multiple copies of data on the same disk, this feature generates a pointer to the original data location, enabling applications to access the information without consuming additional storage space.
In May 2024, Microsoft released a comparison chart that showcased the performance advantages of ReFS over NTFS. The findings were striking, revealing up to a 92% improvement in the speed of copying a 10GB file using Block Cloning. For instance, a 10GB file can now be copied in just over half a second, compared to nearly 8 seconds with NTFS. Similarly, a 1GB file experiences a remarkable 94% speed increase, taking only 38 milliseconds to copy. Even for smaller files, such as those around 1MB, there is a noticeable enhancement, with an 18% faster copying time.
When it comes to larger folders, the benefits of ReFS become even more pronounced. For example, copying an 18GB folder is now 80% faster, completing the task in just 6 seconds rather than over 30 seconds.
Why don’t we have ReFS instead of NTFS?
It is important to note that ReFS is not designed for typical disk operations, which is why users cannot bypass NTFS entirely. Windows will not boot successfully if ReFS is used as the primary file system. Instead, ReFS is tailored for developers and managed PC environments, rather than everyday users.
The primary focus of ReFS is data resilience, achieved through multiple backups and integrity checks that actively combat data corruption. Unlike NTFS, users do not need to execute the CHKDSK command to repair bad sectors, as ReFS automatically manages this process.
However, NTFS offers a range of features that are currently absent in ReFS, such as file compression and encryption, all while maintaining a low impact on system resources. Transitioning from NTFS to ReFS requires a complete format of the drive, which can be a significant consideration for users.
For now, Microsoft remains committed to NTFS for the client editions of Windows 11, believing it sufficiently meets user needs. As such, a shift to ReFS for general consumer use does not appear to be on the horizon anytime soon.
