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How to Mount, Read, or Format EXT4 on Windows 11 [2024 Guide]
First, make sure that WSL2 is installed and updated
3 min. read
Updated onJanuary 8, 2024
updated onJanuary 8, 2024
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Key notes
EXT4 is a native Linux file system and until not long ago, you couldn’t access it on Windows. However, thanks to WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux version 2), you can now mount, read, and format EXT4 on Windows 11.
Does Windows 11 support EXT4? Yes, now Windows 11 supports EXT4 through WSL2. However, you need to install it on your device orupdate the WSL2 kernel on Windows 11.
How do I access EXT4 on Windows 11?
1. Mount the EXT4 partition on Windows 11
However, again, make sure that you have WSL2 installed and that the partition you are mounting is a Linux partition. Otherwise, the command won’t work.
Also, if you want to unmount the EXT4 partition, use thewsl –unmountcommand instead ofwsl –mountwith the same path.
2. Mount an EXT4 file system as a FAT partition
Use the wsl –unmount command if you want to unmount the file system in Windows 11.
3. Access EXT4 on Windows 11
How do I format an EXT4 partition in Windows 11?
Unfortunately, you can’t format an EXT4 partition in Windows 11 with any built-in tools. For that, you will either boot into Linux and perform the action from there or use a dedicated tool.
From our research, DiskGenius can help you with that, and EaseUS Partition Master has a lot more advanced features for the same purpose.
We also have a list of thebest partitioning software for Windowsand some of them allow you to format EXT4 partitions.
That’s it! We hope that now you are able to access your Linux EXT4 on Windows 11 and manage your files.
You might also be interested in reading our guide onhow to dual-boot Windows 11 and Ubuntu.
If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to convey them in the comments section below.
More about the topics:Linux,Windows Linux subsystem
Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, Claudiu is focused on whatever comes new from Microsoft.
His abrupt interest in computers started when he saw the first Home Computer as a kid. However, his passion for Windows and everything related became obvious when he became a sys admin in a computer science high school.
With 14 years of experience in writing about everything there is to know about science and technology, Claudiu also likes rock music, chilling in the garden, and Star Wars. May the force be with you, always!
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Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, with 14 years of experience in writing on everything there is to know about science, technology, and Microsoft
