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Quick assessment of 3 Windows tools to read/write Linux filesystems on dual-boot desktops
I dual boot Windows/Ubuntu because Ubuntu 18.04 natively provides
simultaneous full and complete read and write access to the entire visible file system of Windows, Android, and iOS. However, I'm mostly on Windows, where, unfortunately, Windows natively will NOT read the default Linux file system (neither will the Mac). Thanks to Aragorn on the Linux newsgroup, I found out today that both Windows and the Mac will easily read/write the Linux native filesystem if you load free software to do so (some of which is even open source). To that end, today I quickly tested these Windows solutions below: 1. https://sourceforge.net/projects/ext2read/ 2. https://sourceforge.net/projects/ext2fsd/files/Ext2fsd/0.69/ 3. https://www.diskinternals.com/linux-reader/ Specifically, I downloaded, extracted & ran these 3 executables: 1. https://sourceforge.net/projects/ext2read/files/latest/download 2. https://sourceforge.net/projects/ext2fsd/files/latest/download 3. https://www.diskinternals.com/download/Linux_Reader.exe Here is my initial first-pass quick-test assessment, for your benefit, of those three solutions, where I ask anyone with *experience* using any of these three programs to access their dual-boot Linux partitions, to further our combined tribal knowledge. *ext2read* The first is just an executable, while the latter two are installers. That first executable has to be run as Administrator; the rest don't. Even so, for whatever reason, I couldn't find my Linux home files. *ext2fsd* This automatically creates a drive letter for your Linux filesystem. The GUI was kind of miserable (e.g., it wouldn't even resize properly). I'm sure it can do the stated task, but it has a steep learning curve. *LinuxReader* I kind of like the GUI of the last one the best, at least upon 1st use. It presents your Linux and Windows disks in a familiar "My Computer" style. When you want to copy a file from Linux to Windows, you just hit "Save". Since the price of freeware is the effort it takes to find the best ones, my quick test clearly indicates I should likely first spend my learning efforts on the "LinuxReader" and to ditch the other two (unless there's a reason I learn later to do otherwise). Note: Similar Mac freeware is covered separately (on the Mac groups). -- NOTE: As per my discussion with Aragorn, I will only respond in this thread to those those adults who intend to further our combined capabilities. |
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Quick assessment of 3 Windows tools to read/write Linuxfilesystems on dual-boot desktops
On 09/23/2018 08:55 PM, Arlen H. Holder wrote:
I dual boot Windows/Ubuntu because Ubuntu 18.04 natively provides simultaneous full and complete read and write access to the entire visible file system of Windows, Android, and iOS. However, I'm mostly on Windows, where, unfortunately, Windows natively will NOT read the default Linux file system (neither will the Mac). Thanks to Aragorn on the Linux newsgroup, I found out today that both Windows and the Mac will easily read/write the Linux native filesystem if you load free software to do so (some of which is even open source). To that end, today I quickly tested these Windows solutions below: 1. https://sourceforge.net/projects/ext2read/ 2. https://sourceforge.net/projects/ext2fsd/files/Ext2fsd/0.69/ 3. https://www.diskinternals.com/linux-reader/ Specifically, I downloaded, extracted & ran these 3 executables: 1. https://sourceforge.net/projects/ext2read/files/latest/download 2. https://sourceforge.net/projects/ext2fsd/files/latest/download 3. https://www.diskinternals.com/download/Linux_Reader.exe Here is my initial first-pass quick-test assessment, for your benefit, of those three solutions, where I ask anyone with *experience* using any of these three programs to access their dual-boot Linux partitions, to further our combined tribal knowledge. *ext2read* The first is just an executable, while the latter two are installers. That first executable has to be run as Administrator; the rest don't. Even so, for whatever reason, I couldn't find my Linux home files. *ext2fsd* This automatically creates a drive letter for your Linux filesystem. The GUI was kind of miserable (e.g., it wouldn't even resize properly). I'm sure it can do the stated task, but it has a steep learning curve. *LinuxReader* I kind of like the GUI of the last one the best, at least upon 1st use. It presents your Linux and Windows disks in a familiar "My Computer" style. When you want to copy a file from Linux to Windows, you just hit "Save". Since the price of freeware is the effort it takes to find the best ones, my quick test clearly indicates I should likely first spend my learning efforts on the "LinuxReader" and to ditch the other two (unless there's a reason I learn later to do otherwise). Note: Similar Mac freeware is covered separately (on the Mac groups). I've used ext2read and it worked really well when I was on a BIOS MBR dual boot. I just got a new laptop (old one died) and it's UEFI GPT and the program will not find my linux system. So I"m game to try another program but have not searched. I myself reside on Linux more than windows and don't need it any longer. Al |
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Quick assessment of 3 Windows tools to read/write Linux filesystems on dual-boot desktops
On Sun, 23 Sep 2018 21:24:38 -0400, Big Al wrote:
I've used ext2read and it worked really well when I was on a BIOS MBR dual boot. I just got a new laptop (old one died) and it's UEFI GPT and the program will not find my linux system. So I"m game to try another program but have not searched. I myself reside on Linux more than windows and don't need it any longer. Thanks for that input based on your past experience with *ext2read*. My desktop is old (circa Windows 7 days), so it's BIOS & not UEFI. This is a screenshot of the "ext2read" GUI running on my Win10 desktop. http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=8343685sda5.jpg For whatever reason, the GUI sees only the "root" Linux hierarchies. It sees *nothing* in the home directory! I don't know why it can't see inside the home directory. Luckily, *LinuxReader* had no problem seeing inside my home directory. I'm sure there's some "setting" somewhere in ext2read that I must have missed, but, since "LinuxReader" is working for me, I'm not going to try to find it as the cost of freeware is the amount of effort to learn which is the best. |
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Quick assessment of 3 Windows tools to read/write Linux filesystemson dual-boot desktops
Arlen H. Holder wrote:
On Sun, 23 Sep 2018 21:24:38 -0400, Big Al wrote: I've used ext2read and it worked really well when I was on a BIOS MBR dual boot. I just got a new laptop (old one died) and it's UEFI GPT and the program will not find my linux system. So I"m game to try another program but have not searched. I myself reside on Linux more than windows and don't need it any longer. Thanks for that input based on your past experience with *ext2read*. My desktop is old (circa Windows 7 days), so it's BIOS & not UEFI. This is a screenshot of the "ext2read" GUI running on my Win10 desktop. http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=8343685sda5.jpg For whatever reason, the GUI sees only the "root" Linux hierarchies. It sees *nothing* in the home directory! I don't know why it can't see inside the home directory. Luckily, *LinuxReader* had no problem seeing inside my home directory. I'm sure there's some "setting" somewhere in ext2read that I must have missed, but, since "LinuxReader" is working for me, I'm not going to try to find it as the cost of freeware is the amount of effort to learn which is the best. And what kind of encryption do you have on your home directory ? Is your home directory actually stored on a different disk and mounted on top of a mount point there ? There's likely a logical explanation. Paul |
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Quick assessment of 3 Windows tools to read/write Linuxfilesystems on dual-boot desktops
On 09/23/2018 11:20 PM, Paul wrote:
Arlen H. Holder wrote: On Sun, 23 Sep 2018 21:24:38 -0400, Big Al wrote: I've used ext2read and it worked really well when I was on a BIOS MBR dual boot.Â*Â* I just got a new laptop (old one died) and it's UEFI GPT and the program will not find my linux system. So I"m game to try another program but have not searched.Â*Â* I myself reside on Linux more than windows and don't need it any longer. Thanks for that input based on your past experience with *ext2read*. My desktop is old (circa Windows 7 days), so it's BIOS & not UEFI. This is a screenshot of the "ext2read" GUI running on my Win10 desktop. http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=8343685sda5.jpg For whatever reason, the GUI sees only the "root" Linux hierarchies. It sees *nothing* in the home directory! I don't know why it can't see inside the home directory. Luckily, *LinuxReader* had no problem seeing inside my home directory. I'm sure there's some "setting" somewhere in ext2read that I must have missed, but, since "LinuxReader" is working for me, I'm not going to try to find it as the cost of freeware is the amount of effort to learn which is the best. And what kind of encryption do you have on your home directory ? Is your home directory actually stored on a different disk and mounted on top of a mount point there ? There's likely a logical explanation. Â*Â* Paul I would agree. I've had no issues with reading my home folder to extract things like docs, pics, .icons files. |
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Quick assessment of 3 Windows tools to read/write Linux filesystems on dual-boot desktops
"Arlen H. Holder" wrote:
Specifically, I downloaded, extracted & ran these 3 executables: 1. https://sourceforge.net/projects/ext2read/files/latest/download 2. https://sourceforge.net/projects/ext2fsd/files/latest/download 3. https://www.diskinternals.com/download/Linux_Reader.exe FWIW, I've tried ext2fsd and found it unstable and blessed with a non-intuitive user interface. However, my weapon of choice to READ (not write!) ext/2/3/4 is 7-Zip. Both the command line program (7z.exe) and the 7z file manager (7zFM.exe) support full read access to physical drives (and files) in ext2/3/4 format. I've never seen the need to use any other tool for that purpose. And I would never use a Windows app to WRITE to an ext2/3/4 file system. HTH. -- Mick |
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Quick assessment of 3 Windows tools to read/write Linux filesystems on dual-boot desktops
On Mon, 24 Sep 2018 00:55:31 -0000 (UTC), "Arlen H. Holder"
wrote: I dual boot Windows/Ubuntu because Ubuntu 18.04 natively provides simultaneous full and complete read and write access to the entire visible file system of Windows, Android, and iOS. However, I'm mostly on Windows, where, unfortunately, Windows natively will NOT read the default Linux file system (neither will the Mac). Since the price of freeware is the effort it takes to find the best ones, my quick test clearly indicates I should likely first spend my learning efforts on the "LinuxReader" and to ditch the other two (unless there's a reason I learn later to do otherwise). NOTE: As per my discussion with Aragorn, I will only respond in this thread to those those adults who intend to further our combined capabilities. - Luck of the draw: You're busted! MSFT jumped the gun on *Nix, everything else pretty much except an actual WEB Server or, due to unforeseen Chinese circumstances concerning the future blueprint of [hm] running the WEB, Android. MSFT Official Policy on *NIX: Turn your back, unless all else fails, and walk away; Don't even think about a shrug, twitch, or scratching. Note: Android is a subset of *NIX and apparently also scalable. Unlike iOS, which I've never run, scalability is as well rather a vague [Android] concept, to me involving instruction sets other than from tradition designed for Intel 1972 8008 opcodes and subsequent AMD CPU design architecture. Wouldn't it be easier to not make your approach on MSFT's turf: to run conversely from a native *NIX boot, with further provisional support for virtual Windows containment, properly within *NIX oversight. First mixing MSFT for a base whereby to call freeware is not a valid logical premise: MSFT is prima facie a subscription, out to thwart, indeed stupefy your every move, inkling or remotest thought, thus and thereby to substitute a viable profit motif by interceding with suitable advertising intended to elicit gratitude which only knows veritably to bow from the ankles. Do you know how computers started, as W4W designed by MSFT. . .through one-way mirrors, studying a psychology interactions between a mechanical model and biological entity. You've really got to first consider giving them credit with perseveringly with W10, before thinking merrily to just traipse through, on their network, into other operating systems without the least care for monetarily becoming the richest man walking on God's Green Earth. I could be wrong, though, least to mention MSFT legal representation for being contingent upon *NIX containment, although I suspect the converse approach might be called an actual Developer's Platform. If not for such as DOD Carnegie Mellon computer research budgeting, perhaps then common kludge: for all else which can hope indeed to entreat while and in amidst everything that's, apparently, FUBAR. |
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Quick assessment of 3 Windows tools to read/write Linux filesystems on dual-boot desktops
On Mon, 24 Sep 2018 04:07:07 -0400, Big Al wrote:
I would agree. I've had no issues with reading my home folder to extract things like docs, pics, .icons files. Thanks for that input from your experience, as I have _zero_ experience with these three tools. To answer Paul's question, EVERYTHING on that dual boot Linux side is default as the Ubuntu 18.04 is there as a dual boot mostly so that I can easily interface with all mobile devices and so that I can run things that Windows doesn't as easily do (grep, sed, sort, etc.) ... (at least Windows doesn't do it easily without settuing up something like cygwin, bash shell, GNU coreutils, etc., on Windows). Here is the user's HOME directory showing up in *LinuxReader* on Windows: http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=8264301linuxreader.jpg I don't know (yet) why *ext2read* won't show up anything inside the users' home directory - but - it's not a big deal (unless I need 'write' permission - which - I think - LinuxReader doesn't provide). I'm extremely familiar with freeware, where you learn what you need to learn, so, right now, I don't need write permission from Windows in the Linux hierarchy, so the LinuxReader is fine for copying. If others need write permission, they'll tackle that (and when I need write permission, I'll solve it, as always, with your help if needed). -- As agreed with Aragorn, I will only respond to purposefully helpful posts in this thread, which are intended to further our combined tribal knowledge. |
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Quick assessment of 3 Windows tools to read/write Linux filesystems on dual-boot desktops
On Mon, 24 Sep 2018 10:32:16 +0100, Mick Finnlay wrote:
FWIW, I've tried ext2fsd and found it unstable and blessed with a non-intuitive user interface. Thanks for that vote based on your experience, where I didn't run into any flakiness in my five-minute test of *ext2fsd*, but I _instantly_ ran into what you aptly termed a "non-intuitive" user interface. http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=2916654ext2fsd.jpg A lot may depend on the choices upon installation, where I was presented with these defaults: [x] Make Ext2Fsd automatically started when system boots [sic] [x] Enable write support for Ext2 partitions ....[x] Enable force writing support on Ext3 partitions By way of contrast, the user interface to *ext2read* was fine, but the users' home directories showed up empty (for some strange reason): http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=8343685sda5.jpg Meanwhile, the user interface to *LinuxReader* was the most intuitive (upon first inspection anyway) and the users' home directories were visible: http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=8264301linuxreader.jpg The "problem" with LinuxReader might be that it's apparently read only. In my searches for how to read Linux partitions from Windows, I found *Ext4Explorer* https://sourceforge.net/projects/ext4explore/?source=directory which I did not test yet (so we should ask for experienced advice). I also found Paragon payware, where they seem to be the go-to guys for commercial solutions on both Windows & the Mac: https://www.paragon-software.com/business/extfs-for-windows/ As you're all well aware, the expense of freeware is almost all in the choosing of the best ones, so my "added value" to the team is simply those initial insights - where I ask for more insight from experienced users. However, my weapon of choice to READ (not write!) ext/2/3/4 is 7-Zip. Both the command line program (7z.exe) and the 7z file manager (7zFM.exe) support full read access to physical drives (and files) in ext2/3/4 format. I've never seen the need to use any other tool for that purpose. And I would never use a Windows app to WRITE to an ext2/3/4 file system. Wow! That's a neat idea, if it works! Thank you for potentially furthering our knowledge. I already had 7Zip so I brought up the GUI, but it's not obvious to me what's the first step after bringing up 7Zip on Windows to access a foreign file system such as the dual-boot Linux partition is: http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=56940667zip.png Can you give us a hint as to the next step in 7Zip to access the Linux partitions under a typical dual-boot of Windows 10 and Ubuntu 18.04? See also the tribal-knowledge archives at: http://alt.comp.freeware.narkive.com http://tinyurl.com/alt-comp-freeware For example: http://alt.comp.os.windows-10.narkive.com/EOP3G3NM/quick-assessment-of-3-windows-tools-to-read-write-linux-filesystems-on-dual-boot-desktops http://tinyurl.com/alt-comp-os-windows-10 -- In this thread, I will only respond to purposefully helpful posts which are intended to further our combined tribal knowledge. |
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Quick assessment of 3 Windows tools to read/write Linux filesystems on dual-boot desktops
On Mon, 24 Sep 2018 10:32:16 +0100, Mick Finnlay
wrote: "Arlen H. Holder" wrote: Specifically, I downloaded, extracted & ran these 3 executables: 1. https://sourceforge.net/projects/ext2read/files/latest/download 2. https://sourceforge.net/projects/ext2fsd/files/latest/download 3. https://www.diskinternals.com/download/Linux_Reader.exe FWIW, I've tried ext2fsd and found it unstable and blessed with a non-intuitive user interface. However, my weapon of choice to READ (not write!) ext/2/3/4 is 7-Zip. Both the command line program (7z.exe) and the 7z file manager (7zFM.exe) support full read access to physical drives (and files) in ext2/3/4 format. I've never seen the need to use any other tool for that purpose. And I would never use a Windows app to WRITE to an ext2/3/4 file system. I can open a Linux IMAGE with 7-zip, like a ISO file, but that's not ext* format. No idea how to mount a Linux partition with 7-Zip Ext2 Volume Manager (comes with ext2fs) works fine for ext2,3 and 4. Read-only. Useful for when I download something in Linux and after booting into Windows need to copy it. []'s -- Don't be evil - Google 2004 We have a new policy - Google 2012 |
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Quick assessment of 3 Windows tools to read/write Linux filesystems on dual-boot desktops
"Arlen H. Holder" wrote:
On Mon, 24 Sep 2018 10:32:16 +0100, Mick Finnlay wrote: However, my weapon of choice to READ (not write!) ext/2/3/4 is 7-Zip. Both the command line program (7z.exe) and the 7z file manager (7zFM.exe) support full read access to physical drives (and files) in ext2/3/4 format. I've never seen the need to use any other tool for that purpose. And I would never use a Windows app to WRITE to an ext2/3/4 file system. Wow! That's a neat idea, if it works! Thank you for potentially furthering our knowledge. I already had 7Zip so I brought up the GUI, but it's not obvious to me what's the first step after bringing up 7Zip on Windows to access a foreign file system such as the dual-boot Linux partition is: http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=56940667zip.png Can you give us a hint as to the next step in 7Zip to access the Linux partitions under a typical dual-boot of Windows 10 and Ubuntu 18.04? Click on the Folder Up icon next (left) to the edit field with "Computer\" in it until you get a screen where all logical drives and also the physical disks are listed. If you have a non-encrypted ext2/3/4 partition on your HD(s) it should be listed there. Double click to open. HTH. -- Mick |
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Quick assessment of 3 Windows tools to read/write Linux filesystems on dual-boot desktops
On Mon, 24 Sep 2018 15:03:25 +0100, Mick Finnlay wrote:
Click on the Folder Up icon next (left) to the edit field with "Computer\" in it until you get a screen where all logical drives and also the physical disks are listed. If you have a non-encrypted ext2/3/4 partition on your HD(s) it should be listed there. Double click to open. Thanks. Please see the note by "Shadow" to your post elsewhere in this thread. I already clicked everything I could think of, where 7-zip does not seem to even "see" any of the dual-boot Linux partitions. http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=51629247zip.jpg At least 7zip didn't work for me where my dual boot setup is 100% standard. Can a third person try it out to report back for the team? |
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Quick assessment of 3 Windows tools to read/write Linux filesystems on dual-boot desktops
On Mon, 24 Sep 2018 15:03:25 +0100, Mick Finnlay
wrote: "Arlen H. Holder" wrote: On Mon, 24 Sep 2018 10:32:16 +0100, Mick Finnlay wrote: However, my weapon of choice to READ (not write!) ext/2/3/4 is 7-Zip. Both the command line program (7z.exe) and the 7z file manager (7zFM.exe) support full read access to physical drives (and files) in ext2/3/4 format. I've never seen the need to use any other tool for that purpose. And I would never use a Windows app to WRITE to an ext2/3/4 file system. Wow! That's a neat idea, if it works! Thank you for potentially furthering our knowledge. I already had 7Zip so I brought up the GUI, but it's not obvious to me what's the first step after bringing up 7Zip on Windows to access a foreign file system such as the dual-boot Linux partition is: http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=56940667zip.png Can you give us a hint as to the next step in 7Zip to access the Linux partitions under a typical dual-boot of Windows 10 and Ubuntu 18.04? Click on the Folder Up icon next (left) to the edit field with "Computer\" in it until you get a screen where all logical drives and also the physical disks are listed. If you have a non-encrypted ext2/3/4 partition on your HD(s) it should be listed there. Double click to open. Nope, only Windows partitions (and DVD and virtual DVDs) shown. My 3 Linux partitions are invisible. Maybe you are using a command-line setting ? []'s -- Don't be evil - Google 2004 We have a new policy - Google 2012 |
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Quick assessment of 3 Windows tools to read/write Linuxfilesystems on dual-boot desktops
On 09/24/2018 9:11 AM, Arlen H. Holder wrote:
On Mon, 24 Sep 2018 15:03:25 +0100, Mick Finnlay wrote: Click on the Folder Up icon next (left) to the edit field with "Computer\" in it until you get a screen where all logical drives and also the physical disks are listed. If you have a non-encrypted ext2/3/4 partition on your HD(s) it should be listed there. Double click to open. Thanks. Please see the note by "Shadow" to your post elsewhere in this thread. I already clicked everything I could think of, where 7-zip does not seem to even "see" any of the dual-boot Linux partitions. http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=51629247zip.jpg At least 7zip didn't work for me where my dual boot setup is 100% standard. Can a third person try it out to report back for the team? Yes, same results here, All I can get are all my windows drives and DVD ROM, no sign of my Linux installation no matter what I click or open. Rene |
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Quick assessment of 3 Windows tools to read/write Linux filesystems on dual-boot desktops
Rene Lamontagne wrote:
On 09/24/2018 9:11 AM, Arlen H. Holder wrote: On Mon, 24 Sep 2018 15:03:25 +0100, Mick Finnlay wrote: Click on the Folder Up icon next (left) to the edit field with "Computer\" in it until you get a screen where all logical drives and also the physical disks are listed. If you have a non-encrypted ext2/3/4 partition on your HD(s) it should be listed there. Double click to open. Thanks. Please see the note by "Shadow" to your post elsewhere in this thread. I already clicked everything I could think of, where 7-zip does not seem to even "see" any of the dual-boot Linux partitions. http://www.bild.me/bild.php?file=51629247zip.jpg At least 7zip didn't work for me where my dual boot setup is 100% standard. Can a third person try it out to report back for the team? Yes, same results here, All I can get are all my windows drives and DVD ROM, no sign of my Linux installation no matter what I click or open. I rechecked and I can see and read my ext4 partitions if I right-click on the PhysicalDriveX that has them and select Open Inside #. This gives a list with all the partitions on the drive and double-clicking an entry in turn opens a view with all the files and directories in the root. HTH. -- Mick |
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