Access Linux Files from Windows with Linux Reader
Windows only: Dual-booters have long been able to get at their Windows-formatted files, but Windows certainly doesn't make it easy to go the other way 'round. Enter Linux Reader, a free Windows application that emulates the look and feel of the Windows XP Explorer and allows read-only access to ext2 and ext3-formatted drives, the most common formats for Linux installations. Linux Reader can also search through Linux images and mount images for browsing, and runs as a stand-alone application—for a driver-based reading tool, check out Ext2 Installable File System. Linux Reader is a free download for Windows 98 and later.
View: AU Comments (1) | US Comments (21 comments)
Squirrel writes, "Well, who uses ext2? Ok, move along, there's nothing to see ;)"
As far as I know the driver from fs-driver.org provides read/write access to ext3 as well? I use it at home with no dramas at all.
I'm under the impression the ext3 is ext2 with journalling...
Dan
Regarding read-write access: Don't push your luck. For any ext2/3 filesystem driver for Windows, you'll find people who have had it cause blue screens/destroy data. Just because you've found some people for whom it works well does not mean it's bug free. If you're going to try one of those drivers, make backups first. I'm not kidding. This is not one of those times where you can "squeak by" without making backups because you can't afford the extra HDD space.
Wondering when your favorite driver will support read-write access? In my experience, it often takes a very long time to achieve this milestone. Three totally different read-only NTFS drivers were written before the third one finally got write support.
Regarding ext2 versus ext3 (versus ext4): They are all the same filesystem, really. The only difference between one so-called ext2/3/4 filesystem and another is which feature flags are set and which are cleared. Ext2 drivers work with ext3 filesystems provided they handle the flags properly (virtually always the case), although you don't get the benefit of journaling. Don't mount an ext2/3 filesystem with the ext4 driver unless you never want to go back, but if you know what ext4 is you probably don't need anyone to tell you that.
Regarding LVM2: Explore2fs claims support for LVM2. If you're using a modern Linux distro, you're using LVM2, not LVM.
nighttimestereo
Read/write access to Linux partitions from Windows on Hackszine.com
@gdunc:
not really possible so far. LVM is heavily software-based(i.e. kernel-level), unfortunately, so there isn't a good chance of being able to recognize that anytime soon (why would one use lvm anyways? ugh, what a mess. worst idea RH et. al. ever had)
bts3685
@squirrel:
Nobody uses ext2. That doesn't mean that ext3 isn't backward-compatible. ext3 just adds journaling and some other jazz to an already great file system. I just downloaded and installed the ext2 driver from this website, and it read my ext3 partition just fine. -and I didn't even have to reboot XD
LH: dump this app and write one up about fs-driver.org.
marksman7328
@squirrel:
there actually is a ext3 driver also
kseve
Nice one, really good. Another one that i use a lot is EXT2IFS, since its first version. I like it :)
[[uranus.it.swin.edu.au]]
ChambrasWeed
***************
There is no reason in using this.
[www.fs-driver.org]
***************
Well, who uses ext2? Ok, move along, there's nothing to see ;)
squirrel
Oops... can't type. Meant to say FC8. :-D
gdunc
AARGH... still doesn't view FC9's LVM disks. Neither does the driver based solution (fs-driver.org). Does anyone else have a solution that will read these?
Oh well... dual boot.
gdunc
There is no reason in using this. Go and use the driver-based solution which is also mentioned (from fs-driver.org). It has been working perfectly for a long time.
rawfan
...and of course, there's always Explore2fs (supports both ext2 & ext3) [www.chrysocome.net] and a portable version [www.portablefreeware.com] .
OR
also Diskinternals Linux Reader (portable, also) [www.portablefreeware.com]
USBman
Althoug it is not a free program, UFS Explorer does the same thing. It also allows access to other file systems like raiserFS or HFS+ (Mac OS X).
yaso.kuhl
Why not have the ability to write as well?
[www.fs-driver.org]
skotmxpx
Oh and for those that are curious. This works in Vista. I had to double check to make sure but it is nice to get this support. Now if only I could write to the disk also.
rothgar
I've been using ext2fs for a couple years now for those few times I boot windows.
enine
This is great if you are a dual booter. If you have a separate linux system acting as a file server, you can do the same thing with Samba.
ddrager
Now if only Windows could boot off ext3...
ConstyXIV
Also try the ext2 driver for windows found here:
[www.fs-driver.org]
Offers both read and write access
kseve
This is big news and has been on my wish list for a long time, thanks Kevin.
shane_mckinley
This looks pretty good. One question though, is there a way to shut off the showing of hidden files?
lilkeith7
So off the subject, what's the deal with the Bank of America crap. You guys need money or something?
MrGutts