I'm setting up my PC to dual boot between Windows 11 and Linux Mint to explore Linux a bit. I have a secondary hard drive in Windows filled with media files (audio, video, pictures) that I'd like to access from both operating systems. I know NTFS is commonly used since both systems can read and write to it, but I've heard it may not be the best choice for Linux. Is there a better file system I should consider? I'm open to solutions that might require extra software on Windows if they improve compatibility with Linux for applications like Plex or Jellyfin.
5 Answers
I wouldn't stress about NTFS being a bad choice. That stigma is largely based on past experiences with installing Linux on it, but using NTFS for data is generally fine nowadays.
I’ve heard that btrfs works really well on Linux while not causing too many headaches on Windows, but that's mainly for secondary drives.
NTFS is basically your only choice for Windows, and there were some issues with it on Linux about five years ago, but now it's pretty reliable. You should be fine using NTFS for your needs. Just be aware of any changes in the future.
I recommend using exFAT for sharing files between Windows and Linux. Just make sure to turn off hibernation and 'fast startup' in Windows to avoid issues or even corruption. Always fully shut down Windows before accessing the drive. Also, check out the recommendations on the Arch Linux wiki regarding how Windows handles its clock, it's super important!
I came here to say exactly that! exFAT or NTFS are not that different, but pay close attention to those settings. If Windows hibernates, you can’t write to the drive, and that can cause a lot of headaches.
I also use exFAT for sharing. Just remember, exFAT isn't journaled, so it can be riskier if you're not careful about unmounting it, plus partitions can't be resized. NTFS is usually a safer bet if you worry about those things.
That concern about NTFS not being great for Linux comes from outdated articles. The NTFS3 driver is quite solid now, so you shouldn't face major issues with it.
You could also consider using FAT, but that's pretty limited in features.