Microsoft is revisiting its Resilient File System (ReFS) with the introduction of a feature in a recent Windows 11 build. Originally unveiled in 2012, ReFS was designed to eventually replace NTFS, the long-standing file system used in Windows. However, NTFS continues to dominate, and most users remain unfamiliar with ReFS.
In the latest Windows 11 preview build (27823), a new option allows users to format partitions with ReFS alongside the traditional NTFS. A user discovered a hidden "Flexible Storage" menu, which presents the choice to format partitions as either NTFS or ReFS. While the exact nature of "Flexible Storage" is unclear, it suggests Microsoft’s inclination to make ReFS more accessible.
ReFS aims to provide robust support for larger data sets, improved resilience against data corruption, and higher storage capacity, handling up to 35 petabytes per partition. In contrast, NTFS is limited to 256 terabytes per volume. ReFS also introduces advanced features like block cloning and file-level snapshots, though it lacks some core NTFS functionalities such as bootable volumes, file compression, and encryption.
Despite its advanced capabilities, ReFS is primarily targeted at enterprise and server applications. The recent discovery in Windows 11 may indicate an upcoming push to integrate ReFS into consumer versions, addressing the need for more sophisticated file management options in personal computing.
For more details on ReFS, you can check the overview on Microsoft’s Learn.
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