How to Read Ext2 / Ext3 File System From Windows Computer
This software is must if you dual boot between Linux and Windows laptop / desktop computer.
I've already written about Explore2fs and other programs to grant read and write access to Linux ext3 partitions / files from a Windows box. There is a new program called Linux Reader which allows safe and quick access to alternative file systems. This program plays the role of a bridge between your Windows and Ext2/Ext3 Linux file systems. This easy-to-use tool runs under Windows and allows you to browse Ext2/Ext3 Linux file systems and extract files from there. From the project home page:
First of all, DiskInternals Linux Reader is absolutely free. Secondly, the program provides for read-only access and does not allow you to make records in Ext2/Ext3 file system partitions. This guarantees that the interference in an alterative file system will not affect the work of Linux later. Apart from this, it is necessary to note, that it gives you an opportunity to use common Windows Explorer for extracting data. A preview option for pictures is one more pleasant point, which is worth mentioning.

(Fig 01: Linux Reader in Action under Windows XP [ image credit diskinternals.com ])
Download Linux Reader
=> Download Linux Reader [diskinternals.com]
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You may also be interested in other helpful articles:
- Repairing Linux ext2 or ext3 file system
- How do I Read ext2 or ext3 filesystems under Windows 2000 or XP Desktop?
- Why my Linux server ext3 filesystem go read-only?
- /proc/filesystems: Find out what filesystems supported by kernel
- Mount a Linux filesystem on a SAN from multiple nodes at the same time
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Tags: bridge, desktop computer, dual boot, ext2, interference, Linux, linux file systems, read ext3 windows, system partitions, windows box, windows explorer, windows read ext2, windows read ext3, windows xp



you might also be interested in using the ext2 ifs driver for windows http://www.fs-driver.org/ . The driver assigns a driveletter to your ext2/3 partition and you can use it like any other disk drive - with read and write support! on my laptop i’m using a 20gb windows fat32-partition (since windows can’t boot off an ext3 volume) and a 80gb ext3 linux partition. works great and i can use files bigger than 4gb on any system
it’s also a great filesystem for external harddrives. you can keep a small fat partition with the ifs-driver on the hdd so that you have the driver ready if you visit someone who uses windoze.
the only problem is that the driver refuses to mount the partition if it’s not clean (needs an fsck).