Automatically mount your Linux partition in Windows

December 29th, 2006 — Kyle

Linux drive image
You can automatically mount your Linux partition in Windows and have read/write functionality with a freeware application called Ext2Fsd. I will take you through the process of mounting your Linux partition using Windows XP.


First, download Ext2Fsd via Softpedia.com.

After you install Ext2Fsd you need to mount the Linux partition. Mount the Linux partition by opening Command Prompt and typing the following:

mount 0 1 L:

Note: the “0″ above is a zero.

If you get a response like the following, the mount worked and you will be able to access your Linux partition in My Computer.

Mount Linux image

I will explain the above commands. The mount command is pretty obvious, and mounts your partition. The zero references your hard drive. If you are like most users and only use one hard drive, then you will want to leave the zero. If you use multiple hard drives then you will need to change that number appropriately.

The 1 following the zero references the specific partition on your hard drive that Linux resides on. If you are like most users, your Linux partition is the first partition on your hard drive (so you can use GRUB by default) and you will not need to change this number. If Linux is your second or third partition, then you will need to change the number appropriately.

Lastly, the “L:” is just a notation to give your hard drive a letter in My Computer. I like to use L because it “stands” for Linux. You can give your drive whatever letter you like, however, do not choose C because it will freeze your Windows partition (however, no permanent damage will occur).

Linux bat image

In order to automatically mount your partition when you log into Windows you will need to create a batch file. Open a file in notepad and type the following command (you can download my batch file if you prefer):

mount 0 1 L:

Save the file with the name linuxpartition.bat. Exit Notepad and right-click linuxpartition.bat and create a shortcut. Drag the shortcut into your Startup folder and your Linux partition will be automatically mounted when you start Windows.
Startup image

Read more: Software, Windows, Productivity, Linux

Trackbacks & Pings

  1. Debuntutorials » Blog Archive » Automatically mount your Linux partition in Windows on 31 Dec 2006 at 7:30 am

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Comments

  1. Kirk Badger wrote:

    Thanks.
    The whole part of any computer software is functionallity.
    People get computers and OSs to run usefull software not to run and play around with the operating system.
    Many Linux people and promoters are software developers who think that people want to endlessly play around and hack the OS.
    They do not seem to get it that although they think it is fun with their skills and interests this is not the train of thought of most potential Linux users.
    Even the Mac group has made it easier to switch back and forth for necessary eand essential programs for the user to switch back and forth in a hop between the Mac and Microsoft Windows OS platforms.
    It may not be that hard for moderate users to install Linux on a Windows computer .
    Your instructions explain and make it very simple for even novice computer users to both understand that it can be easily done and as well accomplihs the task.

    Posted 31 Dec 2006 at 4:02 am

  2. mark wrote:

    i would suggest this nice tool for simple use

    http://www.debianadmin.com/access-linux-filesystems-from-windows-with-explore2fs.html

    Posted 31 Dec 2006 at 6:32 am

  3. zero5zero wrote:

    There are better solutions for accessing ext2/ext3 drives in windows. there is a windows device driver that lets you use your ext partitions like any other drive, without the need to manually mount on every reboot. -> http://www.fs-driver.org/

    Posted 31 Dec 2006 at 7:45 am

  4. Harsh J wrote:

    http://www.fs-driver.org/

    Posted 31 Dec 2006 at 7:48 am

  5. paleck wrote:

    The last word should be Windows not Linux. “will be automatically mounted when you start Linux.” You mean to say “will be automatically mounted when you start Windows.”

    Posted 31 Dec 2006 at 8:00 am

  6. Michael wrote:

    rubbish. who uses ext2fs anyway?

    Posted 31 Dec 2006 at 8:29 am

  7. Keith wrote:

    This is good news. I’m glad that there is a tool that allows Windows to mount Linux partition. However, it is only limited to Ext2 Filesystem.

    Posted 31 Dec 2006 at 8:43 am

  8. sharo baro wrote:

    what’s wrong with samba ?

    Posted 31 Dec 2006 at 8:47 am

  9. dhfg wrote:

    Check the last line. Should it be windows rather than linux?

    Posted 31 Dec 2006 at 8:48 am

  10. Olaf wrote:

    Hi

    you simply might want to use “IFS driver”
    Free: http://www.fs-driver.org/

    Olaf

    Posted 31 Dec 2006 at 9:03 am

  11. Steve wrote:

    Thanks! Just what i needed.

    Posted 31 Dec 2006 at 9:24 am

  12. ultimad wrote:

    Any similar software for Reiser FS?

    Posted 31 Dec 2006 at 9:24 am

  13. JMan wrote:

    @ sharo baro

    samba, yes thats a great plan. it will work great when windows is active and linux is on the other partition with no network access to it…

    Posted 31 Dec 2006 at 9:29 am

  14. Rakesh Gupta wrote:

    Thanks Ofal,

    I have tried it and the easiest is the fs-driver.
    works great. just install it and no need to type anything at all at the command line

    http://www.fs-driver.org/download.html

    Posted 03 Jan 2007 at 10:34 pm

  15. Brian Harkness wrote:

    The current version just needs to be installed. You can assign drive letters from the gui, allow read only or read/write, and have the drive load when windows boots. I tend to NOT want write permissions. I have some “automatic” drive tools and I don’t want windows choosing to do odd things like defrag my linux partitions. I think that would end up being very bad:-)

    Posted 23 Jan 2007 at 3:38 pm

  16. The Truth wrote:

    The problem with the IFS driver is that it only works on 32bit systems, not 64bit. Also, lots of people still use ext2 and ext3. It is the common denominator linux file system for all distros. Elitist linux users are no better than elitist Mac or Windows users. The OS and software are just tools, not religions. I use as many as I can and they all have good and bad points.

    Posted 26 Apr 2007 at 11:14 pm

  17. Roberto O. Millán wrote:

    Ok…I’m not totally following…..
    I have 2 HDDs, the WinXP on the C:\ drive, and the Ubuntu on the E:\ drive, however the E drive is also a BackUp Drive for NTFS
    The WinXP recognizes the E Drive but not the Ubuntu partition.
    How do I change the mount command?
    You say to change it accordingly, but how?
    12E for me?
    or 13E
    I’m not following your instructions….
    And then…when I open the program, apparently it can see the partitions under E.

    This is what shows up on the Ext2 Volume Manager main screen:

    Type File-Sys Tot-size Use-Size CP Part Entry

    Disk 0
    [C:] Basic NTFS 149GB 30GB IFS

    Disk 1
    [E:] Basic NTFS 78GB 30GB IFS
    Basic EXT3 34GB 34GB Linux
    Basic Swap 1286MB 1286MB Linux Swap

    But I’m not really understanding how to use the program.
    I’m doing a dual-boot, the Ubuntu is on the secondary(slave)HDD, and the HDD is already partitioned into NTFS and the Ubuntu. I can already access the NTFS from inside Ubuntu, and read, but not write.
    If you can, send me e-mail with step-by-step instructions…I’m a Windows medium-experienced user, but Linux Newbie.
    Thanx
    ROM

    Another good point posted up there, with this program, will Windows defrag my ext partition?
    I really don’t want that to happen.

    Posted 30 Jul 2007 at 9:56 pm

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