With the Windows 11 24H2 update, the consumer version of the operating system now includes support for the ReFS (Resilient File System) and block cloning, features that were previously only available to Windows Server users. These new additions significantly accelerate file copying.
ReFS, introduced in 2012, was designed as an alternative to the aging NTFS file system, which has been in use since 1993. However, ReFS is primarily intended for workstations and servers that require stable and scalable data storage. It is optimized for use with multiple drives and enhances performance when working with SSDs and HDDs.
The block cloning feature in ReFS enables faster copying operations, especially for large files. Instead of copying the entire data, the system creates references to it, making the process much quicker. According to data, small 1 MB files are copied 18% faster, while for files of 1 GB, the speed increase can reach up to 94%. This is particularly beneficial for users who frequently handle large amounts of data.
Additionally, ReFS supports automatic data integrity checks and built-in backup tools. This makes it more resilient to data corruption compared to NTFS, as damaged sectors are isolated without losing the rest of the information.
However, it’s important to note that ReFS cannot be used on boot drives and to activate it, drives must be fully reformatted, as direct conversion from NTFS to ReFS is not possible.
