How to Access Linux Partitions (ext2, ext3) From Windows in Dual-Boot System?

If you have a dual-boot system with Windows and Linux, you probably know that Windows and Linux both use different file systems. Windows uses FAT32 and NTFS file systems where as Linux uses ext2 and ext3 file systems.

You can access Windows partitions from Linux but on the other hand Windows doesnt allow access to Linux partitions.

Many times we might need to access files stored in Linux partitions and we realize that we can't access them from Windows. In this situation we have to reboot our system in Linux to access those files.

Would not it be better if we could access Linux partitions from Windows? Indeed, it would. That's why here I'm sharing 4 interesting FREE tools which allow to access Linux partitions from Windows:

Explore2fs (Read-only Access)
Ext2 IFS (Installable File System) (Read as well as Write Access)
DiskInternals Linux reader (Read-only Access)
Ext2 FSD (File System Driver) (Read as well as Write Access)

Explore2fs:

Explore2fs is a GUI explorer tool for accessing ext2 and ext3 file systems. It runs under all versions of Windows and can read almost any ext2 and ext3 file system.

Download Link

Ext2 IFS (Installable File System):

Ext2 IFS provides Windows NT4.0/2000/XP/2003/Vista with full access to Linux Ext2 volumes (read access and write access). It installs a pure kernel mode file system driver Ext2fs.sys, which actually extends the Windows NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista operating system to include the Ext2 file system.

Ext2 volumes get drive letters. Files, and directories of an Ext2 volume appear in file dialogs of all applications.

Download Link

DiskInternals Linux reader:

DiskInternals Linux Reader runs under Windows and allows you to browse Ext2/Ext3 Linux file systems and extract files from there. The program provides for read-only access and does not allow you to make records in Ext2/Ext3 file system partitions.

Download Link

Ext2 FSD (File System Driver):

Ext2 FSD is an open source linux ext2/ext3 file system driver for Windows systems (NT/2K/XP/VISTA, X86/AMD64).

Download Link

This article was posted in Linux, Software Zone, Troubleshooting, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.

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14 Comments

capricornus

I just discovered this site and I enjoyed it already very much.

@ Maharishi
for the moment, my (test)system is in sextuple-boot !

@ others
It is nice to find out that on WinXP I could address the other partitions. That could solve some of my problems I encounter when GRUB is doing odd or wrong things, for instance.

Normally I keep up a second NTFS partition that I use for all OS'es to store important stuff. It seems a too simple solution, but it works too.
uday

Hi.. Vishal
i want u install linux by partioning memory.. i m worried if proper partioning is not then my windows os will not work..
can u plz tell me each step i hav to do while partioning properly.. n then allocate it to linux.. I know i can pay to some ppl n install it.. but i want to do it my self.. plz help..
Do reply on through email..

thanking u..
uday
VG

^^ Most of the current Linux distros come with automatic partitions. So you can choose the option to automatic create partitions for Linux and remain the existing Windows partition.
gnani

Thanks u Vishal