Dev Drive Archives

Winsage

January 1, 2026

Microsoft’s ReFS File System Remains Inaccessible to Windows 11 Users

Microsoft's Resilient File System (ReFS) supports volumes up to 35 petabytes and offers robust data protection through checksums and continuous integrity checks, reducing the risk of data corruption. However, Windows 11 defaults to the NTFS file system, requiring users to use command-line tools to access ReFS features, which may deter average consumers. ReFS is primarily designed for Windows Server environments and has not gained popularity among general users. Testing shows that Windows 11 formats new drives as NTFS, making ReFS less accessible. ReFS can experience performance degradation on single-drive consumer PCs compared to NTFS and lacks features like file system compression, encryption, object IDs, and extended attributes, raising compatibility concerns. Microsoft has introduced the Agent Launchers framework for AI agent registration in Windows, amidst user backlash regarding the evolution of Windows into an "agentic OS." The Windows and Devices segment generated .3 billion in the last fiscal year, remaining flat over three years, while Gaming and LinkedIn generated higher revenues. Users have reported frequent feature changes and declining quality in Windows 11, with Microsoft's Controlled Feature Rollout system causing inconsistencies across devices. ReFS is accessible through the Dev Drive feature in Windows 11, which prioritizes performance over security. Microsoft faces competition from various fronts, including Valve's SteamOS, Apple's upcoming MacBook, and Google's Chrome OS, particularly in the education sector.

Winsage

November 27, 2025

Windows Dev Drives are the speed upgrade you’re not using

Dev Drives are virtual drives introduced in the Windows 11 version 22H2 update, designed specifically for software development. They can be created as partitions on physical drives or as virtual hard drives (VHDs) and use the ReFS file system instead of NTFS. This allows them to bypass continuous malware checks by Microsoft Defender, resulting in performance improvements of up to 41%. Dev Drives are intended for developers engaged in data-intensive tasks, but storing non-development files on them poses security risks. They can enhance workflow efficiency for developers and are accessible through the Settings app in Windows 11.

Winsage

October 12, 2025

9 new features coming with the October 2025 Security Update for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will roll out its Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11, introducing various features and security enhancements. Key updates include: 1. A feature allowing users to reposition hardware indicators on their desktops. 2. AI actions in File Explorer, enabling users to perform tasks like image searches and background removal directly from the file manager. 3. Improvements to the Windows Share interface, including a "Pin" option for favorite apps. 4. A new "Advanced" settings page that organizes settings into distinct sections. 5. Administrator Protection, which enhances security by generating an authorization dialog for unsigned or untrusted app elevation requests. 6. Support for third-party passkey providers, starting with 1Password. 7. Migration of legacy features from the Control Panel to the Settings app, including additional clocks and date/time format options. 8. A new Braille viewer in Windows Narrator to enhance accessibility. 9. Updates to the Click to Do actions menu with new tags and refined summary generation.

Winsage

September 18, 2025

3 reasons a Dev Drive might be the perfect addition to your Windows install

Windows 11 introduces Dev Drives, a specialized storage volume for developers that utilizes the ReFS file system and offers optimizations for performance. Dev Drives can improve performance by up to 41% in development tasks, such as cloning the NodeJS repository, and provide a 22% enhancement in build times for projects like OrchardCore with DotNet. They are compatible with Microsoft Defender in "performance mode," which reduces scanning frequency to enhance read and write speeds. Microsoft recommends using Dev Drives solely for source code repositories, project files, package caches, and build outputs, avoiding typical downloaded files or installed applications to mitigate security risks. Developers can create Dev Drives on a physical partition for better performance or on a virtual hard drive (VHD) for flexibility and portability, although transferring them to different PCs is not advised. While Dev Drives offer speed advantages, they should not be repurposed for general use, as this could expose users to security risks.