Linux can read Windows partitions, but the reverse doesn’t work. Windows partitioning tools can create Linux partitions, but Linux can’t read Windows partitions. This is because the Windows filesystems are different in size and type than the Linux filesystems.
Today’s Question & Answer session comes to us courtesy of SuperUser—a subdivision of Stack Exchange, a community-driven grouping of Q&A web sites.
The Question
SuperUser reader User wants to know why he can’t interchange disks easily:
Why indeed? If it was a case of neither operating system reading the opposite systems disks we could write it off as fundamental incompatibility.
Why is that?
Why does Linux recognize Windows but not the other way ’round?
The Answer
SuperUser contributor Annan offers the following insight into the business reasons for the compatibility (in the case of Linux) and the compatibility issues (in the case of Windows):
JW8 offers a more detailed explanation with a solution for Linux file system compatibility:
For more information about file systems check out Is a File System Just a Bunch of Folders? (File Systems Explained).
To access other file systems, additional drivers/software will be required. As an example, the Ext2 Installable File System For Windows driver is an open source project that supports the Ext2 system.
Have something to add to the explanation? Sound off in the the comments. Want to read more answers from other tech-savvy Stack Exchange users? Check out the full discussion thread here.
