Have you ever been in a scenario where you wanted to access files on an XFS drive but only had a Windows PC? XFS is a popular file system used in many Linux distributions, but Windows does not natively support it. This issue can pose a challenge when you need to read or recover data from an XFS drive on a Windows machine.
This article will explore various methods to read XFS drives on Windows, including installing third-party software. We will provide step-by-step instructions to help you access your XFS drive and retrieve your important files.
Can Windows Read XFS Drives Naturally?
Windows operating systems, by default, do not have native support for reading or writing to XFS file systems. XFS is a file system commonly used in Linux and Unix operating systems, and Windows uses NTFS or FAT32 file systems.
Therefore, if you have an XFS drive that you want to access on your Windows computer, you will need to take different methods. One method is to install a third-party software tool that enables Windows to read and write to XFS file systems. Several tools, like Paragon Software's ExtFS for Windows, provide full read/write access to XFS file systems.
Another option is to transfer the files from the XFS drive to a Windows-formatted drive, such as an NTFS or FAT drive, before accessing them on your Windows computer. You can use a Linux/Unix system or a file transfer tool that supports XFS file systems.
Best Tools for Reading XFS Drives on Windows
As mentioned earlier, Windows cannot read XFS drives natively, so users must install third-party software to enable their Windows system to read XFS-formatted drives. Many tools can help users accomplish this. To help you select the best suits your needs, we've listed some of the best ones below:
1. Paragon Linux File System for Windows
Paragon Linux File System for Windows is a commercial tool that provides users full access to Linux and Unix file systems, including XFS, from their Windows machine. This tool allows users to easily read and write files to XFS drives from their Windows system.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use Paragon Linux File System for Windows to access XFS drives on a Windows machine:
- Step 1. Go to the Paragon website and download the software.
- Step 2. Once the download is complete, run the installation wizard and follow the prompts to install the software on your Windows device.
- Step 3. After installation, open Paragon Linux File System for Windows.
- Step 4. Connect your XFS drive to your Windows machine.
- Step 5. In the Paragon Linux File System for Windows interface, locate your XFS drive and click on it to access its contents.
- Step 6. You can now read and write files to the XFS drive on your Windows.
- Step 7. If you want to access the XFS drive in read-only mode, click on the drive and select the Read-only mode option.
That's it! With Paragon Linux File System for Windows, you can easily access your XFS drives from your Windows machine and seamlessly read and write files to them.
Pricing for Paragon Linux File System for Windows varies depending on the license type and number of users. A single-user license starts at $19.95, while a corporate license for up to 50 users costs $399.95. The software is also available for a free 10-day trial, so users can test it before committing to a purchase.
2. PowerISO
PowerISO is a commercial tool that allows users to create, edit, burn, and mount ISO files and read XFS drives on their Windows machine. With PowerISO, users can easily access the contents of XFS drives and extract files to their Windows system.
To use PowerISO to read XFS drives on Windows, simply download and install the software on your computer. Once installed, connect your XFS drive to your computer and follow these steps:
- Step 1. Open PowerISO and click the Tools menu.
- Step 2. Select the Virtual Drive option and click Mount .
- Step 3. In the pop-up window, select the XFS to drive you to want to read and click Open .
- Step 4. Once mounted, the XFS drive will appear in Windows File Explorer as a virtual drive.
- Step 5. You can now access the contents of the XFS drive and copy files to your Windows system.
Pricing for PowerISO starts at $39.95 for a single-user license. The software is also available for a free trial period of 30 days, so users can test it out before committing to a purchase.
3. DiskInternals Linux Reader
This free tool allows users to access Linux and Unix file systems, including XFS, on their Windows devices. The software allows users read-only access to XFS drives and easily copies files from the XFS drive to their Windows system.
To use DiskInternals Linux Reader, follow these steps:
- Step 1. Download and install the software on your Windows device.
- Step 2. Connect your XFS drive to your Windows machine.
- Step 3. Open DiskInternals Linux Reader and locate your XFS drive in the list of available drives.
- Step 4. Click on the XFS drive to access its contents.
- Step 5. You can now browse the contents of the XFS drive and copy files to your Windows system.
DiskInternals Linux Reader is available for free. And you can upgrade it to the Pro version for $29.95. The pro version has no limitations on how many times it can be used.
Captain Nemo Pro 7.0
Captain Nemo Pro 7.0 is a program that lets you access any Novell, NTFS, or Linux drives on your Windows PC. It eliminates the need for a network setup.
Here's how to read Linux partitions like XFS in Windows using Captain Nemo Pro:
- Step 1. Download and install Captain Nemo Pro 7.0.
- Step 2. Connect the drive with the XFS partition to your Windows PC.
- Step 3. Captain Nemo Pro automatically mounts the Linux partition on Windows.
- Step 4. View and copy your files as needed.
Captain Nemo is quite a pricey program. It costs $90. That gives you a lifetime license for the product and free lifetime updates.
How To Recover Deleted Files from XFS Drive on Windows
You may have accidentally deleted files on the XFS Drive while messing with how to read it on the OS. Or you've lost the File, so you are trying to read the drive on Windows. Either way, you are lucky because you can recover the file. With Wondershare Recoverit, a powerful utility tool, you can undelete files from XFS drive.
For Windows 7 or later
For macOS 10.10 or later
Follow these instructions to recover deleted files from XFS Drive on Windows:
- Step 1. Download Wondershare Recoverit . Install it according to the instructions. After the installation is complete, launch the program.
- Step 2. Choose the drive with the XFS partition from the Hard Drive and Location tab. This will initiate the scanning process.
- Step 3. Preview the results and find the file/s that you want to recover. Click Recover to retrieve the files.
For Windows 7 or later
For macOS 10.10 or later
FAQs
These are the frequently asked questions relevant to the topic of reading XFS drives on Windows:
What Is an XFS Drive
An XFS drive is a storage device formatted with the XFS file system. XFS is a high-performance file system known for its scalability, reliability, and ability to handle large files and high I/O workloads.
Is XFS Suitable for SSDs or Flash Drives?
Yes, XFS is suitable for use with SSDs and flash drives. The file system is optimized for handling large files and high-volume data workloads. That can benefit applications that require fast access to data stored on solid-state storage.
Are Third-Party Tools Safe to Use When Opening XFS Drives on Windows?
There is no single answer to that. It depends on which tool you have decided to use. As long as you know how to select reputable and well-reviewed third-party tools, it should be safe to open XFS Drives on Windows.
Can I modify files on an XFS drive from Windows?
Without third-party software or additional drivers, you cannot modify files on an XFS drive from Windows. XFS is a file system primarily used in Linux operating systems, and Windows does not have native support.
Conclusion
Accessing XFS drives on Windows can be challenging, but with the right tools and techniques, it is possible to read, write and access files on these drives. The most common method is using third-party software that allows you to mount XFS partitions on Windows and access files seamlessly. Whichever method you choose, back up your XFS data before attempting to read it on Windows. Following the steps mentioned, you should be able to access your XFS drives on Windows and transfer files without any issues.
