How to Access ext4 from Windows and Open ext4 Partitions Without Reformatting

To access ext4 from Windows, choose between read-only file extraction and a method that can modify the Linux volume. Windows 10 and 11 do not provide built-in support for mounting ext4 in File Explorer. If Windows prompts you to format the disk, cancel: formatting replaces the filesystem instead of opening it.

Linux Reader lets you browse and export files without writing to the source. Linux Writer supports file operations on supported ext4 with extents. WSL 2 and compatible filesystem drivers provide other ways to open ext4 on Windows, each with its own device and feature limits.

Back up important files before writing, verify the disk you select, and allow only one environment access to the volume at a time.

4 Ways to Access ext4 from Windows

Method 1: DiskInternals Linux Writer™ — Read and Write ext4 from Windows (Recommended)

Linux Writer is a Windows application for file operations on ext4 with extents. Its installer includes the original Linux components and e2fsprogs required for its operations; no separate installation of extra drivers or add-ons is required. The Linux Writer 2.3 system requirements list 64-bit Windows from XP onward and 64-bit Windows Server from 2003 onward, including Windows 10 and 11.

It works with supported internal and external ext4 volumes. Do not assume a NAS network share exposes the underlying ext4 disk to a local filesystem tool.

What you can do:

• Open files, save new files, update existing files, and create folders.
• Rename or delete files and folders on supported ext4 volumes.
• Use Pro's Mount to Disk Letter when other Windows applications require drive-letter access.

Before writing, create and verify a backup. Select the intended partition, browse its files, and check a noncritical test file before making broader changes. Close Linux Writer properly before disconnecting the disk or booting Linux.

Download DiskInternals Linux Writer™ — Free

Method 2: DiskInternals Linux Reader™ — Free Read‑Only ext4 Access

Linux Reader and Linux Reader Pro open the source read-only. Use them to browse files and export copies to a separate Windows-accessible drive; neither edition saves changes back to ext4.

Features:

• Free browsing and export from Ext2, Ext3, and Ext4, with support for other documented filesystems.
• XFS, ZFS, and Btrfs can be previewed in Free; exporting them requires Pro.
• Pro adds features such as SSH access, FTP export, and read-only drive-letter mapping.

Download DiskInternals Linux Reader™ — Free

Method 3: WSL2 with wsl --mount — Command‑Line ext4 Access

WSL 2 uses its Linux kernel to mount eligible disks. Microsoft's official disk-mount guide requires Windows 11 or the Microsoft Store version of WSL, a working WSL 2 distribution, and administrator access to attach disks.

Steps: Make and verify a backup before writing. These disk and partition numbers are examples, not values to copy without checking.

1. In administrator PowerShell, identify the physical disk:

   Get-CimInstance -Query "SELECT * from Win32_DiskDrive"

2. Attach it without mounting:

   wsl.exe --mount \\.\PHYSICALDRIVE1 --bare

   In WSL, use lsblk and blkid to inspect the partition and filesystem.
3. Detach the attachment, then mount the verified partition in administrator PowerShell:

   wsl.exe --unmount \\.\PHYSICALDRIVE1
   wsl.exe --mount \\.\PHYSICALDRIVE1 --partition 1 --type ext4

4. Find the actual mount under /mnt/wsl. In File Explorer, open \\wsl$, select the distribution, then browse to mnt\wsl and the mounted directory. File changes depend on Linux permissions.
5. After closing files and applications, detach the disk before disconnecting:

   wsl.exe --unmount \\.\PHYSICALDRIVE1

Limitations:

• WSL attaches the entire physical disk even when you select one partition. It cannot attach the Windows installation disk.
• No partition on that disk can be in use by Windows or another process.
• Microsoft states that wsl --mount does not currently support USB/flash drives or SD card readers.
• A standard mount can allow writes; generic ro/rw options are not supported by wsl --mount --options.
• Back up before writing, and unmount cleanly before another environment uses the disk.

Method 4: Ext4Fsd Open‑Source Kernel Driver

Ext4Fsd is Bo Branten's branch of Ext2Fsd. Its maintainer README links a signed Windows 10/11 driver and documents metadata checksum and 64-bit block-number support. Check the signed release separately from newer repository code.

Features and limitations:

• Compatible volumes can use Windows drive-letter integration.
• The README lists bigalloc, quota, project, verity, and orphan_present as features that force read-only access.
• Features including ea_inode, multiple mount protection, inline_data, encrypt, casefold, and largedir prevent mounting.

The README describes the driver as ready for testing. Back up before writing and test a copy. Ext2Mgr's plus indicator flags unsupported features; do not treat it as a guarantee that a writable mount is supported.

DiskInternals Linux Writer™: Read and Write ext4 on Windows

Choose Linux Writer™ when you need to change files on supported ext4 with extents through a Windows application. You can save, update, rename, or delete files and create folders. Mount to Disk Letter requires Pro.

The installer includes Linux components and e2fsprogs. This does not prevent data loss: create and verify a backup, avoid simultaneous mounts, and test a file before replacing important data.

Supported Environments

Need read-only access instead? Linux Reader supports Ext2/3/4 browsing and export without writing to the source. Check the Free/Pro limits for additional filesystems.

Download Linux Writer™ Free — DiskInternals

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