ReFS Archives

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 29, 2025

Windows 10 end of life has passed – here’s your business guide to Windows 11

Organizations are transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11, with major companies addressing potential deployment issues. Windows 10 mainstream support ended in October 2025, but users can access the Extended Security Update program for an additional 12 months of coverage. Windows 11 features a refined user interface with a centered taskbar, enhanced visual elements, and productivity tools like snap layouts and Cloud Clipboard. The Start menu has been simplified, and the File Explorer sidebar has been reorganized. Focus Assist is improved with direct settings and integrates with the Windows Clock app. Windows 11 includes Copilot for natural language queries and task automation, with enhanced features for devices with neural processing units. Security is strengthened with Windows Hello and optional integration with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. The minimum system requirements for Windows 11 include a 1GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and TPM version 2.0. All editions of Windows 11 support encryption and biometric security, with Pro and Enterprise editions offering additional features. Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is typically free if the device meets the requirements, with prices for new purchases starting at around £119 for Windows 11 Home and £219 for Windows 11 Pro.

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.

Winsage

September 9, 2025

Patch Tuesday Arrives with New Features for Windows 11

Windows 11 users can expect new features with the cumulative updates KB5065426 for versions 23H2 and 24H2. Key improvements include: - Revamped homepage experience in Recall with shortcuts and enhanced filtering controls. - Interactive tutorial for Click to Do available on first launch. - Agent in Settings now accessible on AMD- and Intel-based Copilot+ PCs, limited to English. - Taskbar search now uses a grid view for images, with a status pane for indexing and clear distinctions between local and cloud files. - Option for a larger clock in the Notification center through Date and Calendar settings. - System dialogs now appear modally, dimming the desktop. - Lock screen widgets can be added, removed, and rearranged, with a new small sizing option. - Minor visual changes in File Explorer's context menu. - Redesigned Windows Hello interface with various authentication methods. - New section in Settings for managing third-party applications using generative AI models. - Widgets board supports multiple dashboards and an organized Discover feed. - Task Manager displays more accurate CPU usage with an optional CPU Utility column. The updates also include security and bug fixes for ReFS, the Chinese (Simplified) IME, and Arm64 performance, requiring a reboot for installation.

Winsage

August 27, 2025

Windows 11 KB5064080 adds Backup app for organizations, fixes File Explorer and SMB share

Windows 11 KB5064080, an optional update for August 2025, is available for devices running Windows 11 23H2. It introduces the OneDrive-based Windows Backup app for organizations, which complements the existing consumer version. Users can download offline installers in .msu format from the Update Catalog. The Windows Backup for Organizations app securely saves user preferences, credentials, and personal files linked to the Microsoft Account, facilitating a seamless setup experience for new PCs. The organizational version may differ from the consumer edition, with administrators controlling the setup process and data storage. The update does not include a Windows 7-like Restore function. Users must manually check for and install the update via the Settings app, as it will not be automatically downloaded. The update also addresses several bugs affecting system applications, including issues with the Copilot key, USB device recognition, SMB share performance, ReFS deduplication and compression conflicts, Remote Desktop camera recognition, File Explorer display errors, and the disappearance of the “Ask to Use” approval prompt. Minor bug fixes related to Narrator and COSA profiles are included, with no major known issues reported.

Winsage

August 2, 2025

8 new features arriving with the August 2025 Security Update for Windows 11

On August 12, 2025, Microsoft will roll out the August 2025 Security Update for Windows 11, which includes significant security enhancements and new features. Key improvements in version 24H2 include: - A complete reset feature for Windows Recall. - Enhanced AI actions for Click to Do. - A redesigned Search settings page. - A new gamepad keyboard layout with PIN sign-in support. - The Reading Coach app available through the Microsoft Store, allowing users to utilize Click to Do while on a snapshot. - A new action for Microsoft 365 Copilot subscribers called "Draft with Copilot in Word." - A new AI agent in the Settings app that improves the search experience using natural language. - Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) feature to minimize downtime from boot failures, enabled by default for Windows 11 Home users. - Upgraded Snap Layouts feature with inline descriptions. - Consolidation of "Search permissions" and "Searching Windows" into a single "Search" page. - Enhanced gamepad touch keyboard layout for quicker PIN sign-ins. - Replacement of the Blue Screen of Death with a new black error page that presents essential information. The update will be automatically downloaded and installed, with options for manual checks via Settings > Windows Update.

Winsage

July 9, 2025

5 Windows Registry tweaks I still use, even in 2025

The Windows registry is a crucial part of Microsoft's operating system, recording various system operations. Users can modify the registry through the Registry Editor to enhance performance and user experience, but must do so cautiously to avoid system issues. To take ownership of files, users can add a "Take Ownership" option to the context menu by creating a .reg file. To restore the old Windows 10 context menu in Windows 11, a new key can be added in the Registry Editor. Power throttling can be disabled by creating a new key and DWORD value in the Registry Editor, improving performance for desktop users. Users can disable the Copilot feature by creating a specific key and DWORD value in the Registry Editor. To reduce telemetry data collection, a DWORD value can be set to 0 in the Registry Editor. It is recommended to back up files and create a Restore Point before making any registry changes, and to test risky tweaks on a virtual machine or secondary device.

Winsage

April 26, 2025

3 reasons you shouldn’t use Btrfs, ReFS, or ZFS on Windows

Windows has relied on the NTFS file system for many years, while alternatives like Microsoft's ReFS, ZFS, and Btrfs have emerged. ZFS and Btrfs are not officially supported on Windows, leading users to depend on community-developed drivers that can cause stability issues, including crashes and blue screens of death. Performance tests show that ReFS underperforms compared to NTFS, with significant declines in disk performance across various metrics. Similar performance issues have been reported for Btrfs. Additionally, ReFS lacks certain features available in NTFS, such as support for portable media, specific encryption options, extended file attributes, and disk quotas. Currently, Windows is not fully equipped to support these newer file systems, and while ReFS is under development, the future of ZFS and Btrfs on Windows remains uncertain.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

I tried installing Windows on an ReFS drive, and I actually don’t hate it

Microsoft has been developing a new file system called ReFS (Resilient File System) to eventually replace NTFS. Users can boot Windows 11 from an ReFS drive, but the setup process is complex and requires formatting the drive using the Command Prompt. After installation, Windows 11 operates normally on ReFS, offering advantages in data resiliency and durability, especially for virtual hard disks and Storage Spaces. However, performance tests show that ReFS is slower than NTFS across various metrics, indicating it may not provide speed enhancements for general use. ReFS is seen as a promising alternative to NTFS, with potential future improvements in performance, particularly for specialized workloads.

Winsage

April 16, 2025

What does Microsoft’s new ReFS file system mean for Windows?

The NTFS file system has been the default for Windows operating systems for decades, but Microsoft is developing the Resilient File System (ReFS), which has been in use primarily in Windows Server environments since its introduction in 2012. ReFS is designed to enhance system and data resilience, featuring error detection and correction capabilities, a data integrity scanner, and the ability to repair detected corruption using another volume. It supports file and volume sizes up to 35 petabytes and includes advanced features like Block Clone and Sparse VDL, which improve performance in specific scenarios. However, ReFS is not a full replacement for NTFS, as it lacks several critical features such as file system compression, encryption, bootable media support, and support for removable media. Its current limitations make it unsuitable for typical home PC use, and while it may eventually replace NTFS, this transition is not expected to happen soon. ReFS is primarily designed for specialized applications involving large data sets and environments with multiple drives.