I'm setting up my PC to dual boot Windows 11 and Linux Mint, and I want to access a secondary hard disk with my media files (audio, video, pictures) from both operating systems. I've read that while NTFS can be used by both, it's not the best choice for Linux. Are there better file system options for seamless access between these two OSs? I'm open to any software requirements on the Windows side if it improves compatibility with Linux.
5 Answers
Yeah, the idea that NTFS isn't great was based on older experiences. It can work just fine for raw data storage, so don’t let that hold you back!
NTFS is pretty much your only go-to if you're looking for compatibility with Windows. It's had some issues in the past, but those are largely resolved with recent Linux updates, so you should be fine using it for your media files.
Don't stress too much about using NTFS; the perception that it's a poor choice for Linux mostly comes from outdated information. The ntfs3 driver has made big improvements and works well nowadays.
I've heard good things about btrfs for Linux users, and it typically doesn’t cause issues with Windows if it's just for secondary drives. Might be worth checking out!
I personally use exFAT for sharing files between Windows and Linux. Just remember to turn off hibernation and "fast-startup" in Windows to avoid file corruption. Always shut down your Windows machine completely before modifying files on the drive to prevent issues. You can also check out the Arch Linux wiki for tweaks on how Windows handles its clock with Linux.
Exactly! Those settings are crucial. If Windows is hibernated, accessing the drive can lead to all sorts of problems, even with permissions.
I use exFAT too. Just keep in mind that it isn't a journaled file system, so be careful when unmounting it. If stability is a concern, maybe stick with NTFS.
There's also the option of using FAT, but I would recommend sticking with NTFS for better compatibility.