Access Your Linux Partition from Windows

I have a dual boot system (Arch Linux and Windows XP). When I boot my Linux OS I have no problem accessing my Windows XP partition because Linux support mounting NTFS and FAT file system. But Windows do not support mounting or accessing other file system beside its own file system without any third party software or drivers.  So I tried Google to find the programs that help me to access my Linux partition. And, I found 3 useful software that can be use to access Linux partition if you have a dual boot system like me.

1. Explore2fs

Explore2fs can be downloaded at http://www.chrysocome.net/explore2fs. It supports Windows 9x, ME, XP, 2000 and Windows Server 2003. Explore2fs is a small program and you only need to extract the archive you downloaded and run the program directly without any installation needed. The interface is like old Windows Explorer and its support drag and drop. Its can view all files from your Linux ext2/ext3 partition. But you can’t edit the files as it’s a read only. In order to edit your files in the Linux partition you have to copy the file to your Windows partition.

2. Ext2 IFS For Windows

The program is available for download at http://www.fs-driver.org/. This program will enable you to access your Linux partition from Windows Explorer just like any other Windows partition and it will have its own drive letter. You can either select the drive letter during the installation or set it later by go to the control panel and double click IFS Drives. Beside that if you don’t enable read only mode during installation the program will allow you to write to your Linux partition. But make sure you have already back up all your data before proceeds. One of the advantages of this program is that you can preview you files on the Linux partition just like your files on Windows partition.

3. DiskInternals Linux Reader
DiskInternals Linux Reader is another program that enable you to access your Linux partition from Windows. You can download the software at http://www.diskinternals.com/linux-reader/. Once install, you can run the program from your start menu. The interface is like Windows Explorer and its easy to use. You can view your ext2/ext3 Linux partition but no write mode is allowed. Like Explorer2fs, you can only preview your files on your Linux partition after you copy it to your Windows partition.

Among the 3 programs, I like Ext2 IFS For Windows the most because I can easily access my Linux partition not only from Windows Explorer but from other programs too. It not only auto mounted all my Linux partition during start up but also assigned it own drive letter.