[SOLVED] Common filesystem between Win8 and Linux? Can't use FAT32

maples · 05-09-2014, 02:48 PM

Hi,
I'm in the process of moving all of my files from my Windows "C:" drive to a shared partition. I tried FAT32 since I know both OSes work fine with it, but the 4GB file size limit won't work. I've looked for ext2/3/4 drivers for Windows, but none of them will work on Win8.
The only option that I see is to make the shared partition an NTFS one. Is Linux support for NTFS good enough for this? Or is there another option that I'm not aware of?

suicidaleggroll · 05-09-2014, 02:55 PM

Linux support for NTFS is fine. I wouldn't put the Linux root on NTFS, but it's fine for data storage.

maples · 05-09-2014, 03:52 PM

OK, thanks!

Is there a way I can format it without losing all of the files I currently have on there? Right now, it has about 50GB that I'd prefer to not have to re-copy from my backup server.

EDIT: I just found this, which answers that question.

suicidaleggroll · 05-09-2014, 03:56 PM

I'm not aware of any way to change filesystem types (other than between ext# versions) without losing the data. Then again, I've never really looked into it.

EDDY1 · 05-09-2014, 05:33 PM

It still suggests that you backup your data.

frankbell · 05-09-2014, 09:03 PM

You cannot format a partition without losing any data on that partition. When you blow away the partition, the data goes with it.

You will need to backup the data.

Note that not all Linux distros include NTFS drivers by default. With some, such as Debian, which is aggressively free, you will need to add them later.

maples · 05-09-2014, 10:16 PM

Well, I now have a NTFS partition, and all of my files are still here...

The article I linked to above said to run the command

Code:

convert E: /FS:NTFS

and for the first time in a long time the Windows command line proved to be useful.

The information was backed up anyway, though.

jefro · 05-10-2014, 02:44 PM

Exfat may work too.

Yes, the convert command used to work. Not sure it still exists in windows 8.

We still don't have this. http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...=vs.85%29.aspx