30 August 2013

Searching for cross- accessing software for linux partition from windows ? Dual- booting windows and linux there are various ways,A detailed short Guide.

When someone starts with linux operating system he/she feels that something is still missing here and there on both the operating system , but then he/she will start dual booting the system to get best of both systems .while above reading the topic article it seems weird what I started talking , now lets come to straight point ,Actually what happened I was searching for some recovery and backup software from paragon websites ,as wanted  to do some recovery and backup on one of my pc .When I was just browsing their site for other softwares ,Just my eyesight  felt on one more software known as Paragon Extfs by reading the detail got what exactly it is . Extfs is a simple utlty tool which  provides you with all time permit to access Ext2/Ext3/Ext4 from your windows operating system .

Now why I felt to write this article sometime before  as I made an install of linux os on one of my friends laptop and after using for days he asked me how to access linux  media files from windows at that time I suggested him Ext2fsd as that one of my favourite to access the ext3 system from windows , so usually I  used to keep home as ext3 formated in my linux system .And now by giving information it will be useful to someones let see what are other option .

1.Ext2Fsd :-

Ext2Fsd is basically a windows driver manager for various support of read and write for linux ext3/2 volumes from windows thats really sound goods for novice users .Its one of the easiest way and pain-free to configure system .Now head on to their site , download it and install it as windows program and launch  the program what you will find is that it display an error  . unable to execute c:\program files \Ext2Fsd \Ext3 Mgr.exe. like that simply click ok over it .And simply re-run the application by double  clicking  over it . Now you can choose various media point you would like to mount it .Theres an option whether to mount it permanently or temporary , plz dont forget to assign letter for the drive to be mounted .Generally I opt for permanent mount option so system remains mounted even after reboot .Once mounting of media is finished you are easy to access and play with the system from windows explorer .

It has nice features like it supports  Ext2/Ext3 volume file reading and writing and assignment of mounting stuff automatically , htree directory indexing ,ext4 Extended support .
Caution :- Ext4 read only support and no NT4 support anymore .Also it doesn't support LVM andLinux Raid , If you have not activated automont of file system at boot you have to everytime start the software Ext2fsd and mount from its window or by through going to Tools > service management  and have to start Ext2fsd  to make your Linux files accessible .And you can find your media by looking / home /Name directory .


screenshots here

This is the stuff I used often but lets see what is now other Ext2Fsd of Paragon do miracle .

2. Paragon ExtFs .

It also goes on same lines ie Cross / Multi platform application which can be useful  to access other OS platforms .Generally when you are doing some stuff which cant be done on linux so often a situation arise to access some files from linux box , here the great valley seperating both platforms , but thanks to Paragon Extfs it removes my headache and my workflow can be carried as usual .Actually this is one of the best program I had found out which provides fast and effcient support for varios  volumes like Ext2/Ext3/Ext4 from windows and easy to install .Also it has versions for Android ,Mac , linux  and DOS apart from windows so it useful to crossover various partition on mobile devices also and handy stuff to peep what is stored inside it .

Actually Paragon Ext2fsd is like plug and play system for your work as its free version so it has become one of my favorite application in my walletbox. I had extensively used it to ensure its reliability to move data stuff from one system to other to test it how it function , working
perfectly and even file transfer speed across devices is really good .

But to getting it ie downloading it you need to register to their site , create user Id and email verification and by verifing email a download link you get thats it and installing software is painless and worked as advertised on their site .Now as I installed it from first run a pop up window comes up  mount the desired media from linux system and access your file .I didn't feel better than Ext2fsd but it does job missing the feature of automount which is to be present in Ext2fsd  software apart from its reliable but was getting error other volumes mounted unmount it first .

Screenshots here

3. DiskInternals Linux reader .

Linux reader is a good alternative like other but I dont use it as you will soon come to know why ?, since it doesn't have write support .So now first of all its completely free of cost ,by installing this you are able to read Ext2/3/4 and also HFS , NTFS ,Resierfs , UFS2 system .

Caution :- It only provides read only support but no write good for accessing stuff but if you need write support  this wouldn't be the app of your choice .

To use it install it and open the application see that it detects all of your drive .Just make a click over the partition which you wanna access or read it . here it give you different views like tiles, list , content like windows viewing . Double click over to the partition and you can easily access your stuff . For your work you have to copy paste files from linux to windows to make  it usable .

Screenshots here

4.Ext2explore /Read

Now this is an open source application in similar lines with above application DiskInternals .But it is only for Ext2/3/4 file systems .It lacks preview mode and also its somewhat like an portable application , you shouldn't install it only download and run the .exe program just by clicking over it as administrator . As since Now-a-days most of distribution ships with Ext4 as default file journal system .It also reads three of the Ext file system .Also I found some compatibility issue with it while running on win 7 so run this program as admin and choose properties as windows xp (service pack 3)settings and access to mounted partitions .It can be used for copying files recursively . But remember it wouldn't allow you to write ext2/3/4  file partitions , but take care while messing with linux partition .

Screenshot here

5.Explore2fs.

Explore2fs is an another graphical tool to access Ext2 /3 file system also has ability to read Reiserfs system along with many others  and it runs in all version of windows files system. It also supports removable device properly .Also an experimental support for  LVM2 is available which is used by RHEl  systems .
Also other features include drag and drop support ,can view/execute files and note only it detects Reiserfs but cant write it .I was not able to find write support so it can be only said as readable linux drive mapper for windows system .

Screenshots here

6.Ext2 Installable file system for windows .


Ext2 installable is also freeware program from opensource so what it can do , surely it has Ext2/3 read write support .You dont have to shutdown you pc if you want some file to access from windows box ,just install it and click to open and mapp the required drive to mount thats it , to test the system as it really deliver read/write support I created some folders and also transfer some files from windows and linux successfully .

Cons :- No read write support for Ext4 .

Screenshots here

You can download from their respective sites here

1.Ext2fsd
2.Paragon Extfs .
3.DiskInternals
4.Ext2Explore/read
5.Explore2fs
6.EXt2 Installable file system .




Note :- Take minute precaution while using software stuff like this as you dont mess up with linux program files as you are not running linux live otherwise you will do a serious damage to linux system .Not recommended for everyday linux users.
     
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