NewApp Digest
search bot

ReFS

Microsoft's ReFS File System Remains Inaccessible to Windows 11 Users
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.
Windows Dev Drives are the speed upgrade you're not using
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.
3 reasons a Dev Drive might be the perfect addition to your Windows install
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.
Patch Tuesday Arrives with New Features for Windows 11
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.
5 Windows Registry tweaks I still use, even in 2025
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.
3 reasons you shouldn't use Btrfs, ReFS, or ZFS on Windows
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.
I tried installing Windows on an ReFS drive, and I actually don't hate it
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.
Search