How to install Windows 11 on ReFS partition 

Here are the steps available today to install Windows 11 using the ReFS file system.

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@Pureinfotech
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Windows 11 install on ReFS partition
Windows 11 install on ReFS partition (Source: @PhantomOcean3)

Windows 11 now supports Resilient File System (ReFS), and in this guide, you will learn the possible steps to try out the new file system on a new installation using the latest preview of the operating system available through the Dev Channel.

ReFS is a technology designed to meet storage needs and overcome the limitations of the legacy New Technology File System (NTFS). The file system supports large volumes, it can share storage pools with different systems, and it has corruption resiliency.

If you want to test the new file system, it’s possible to enable the feature using the ViveTool command-line tool to install a clean copy of Windows 11 using ReFS. The process to complete this task (via @XenoPanther) is still a little bit on the unclear side, and this guide will be updated accordingly with more details and clarifications.

This guide will try to teach you the steps to install Windows 11 on a ReFS.

Warning: It’s NOT recommended to follow these instructions as ReFS is still not fully implemented, and the process to get it working is also still unclear. If you follow these steps do it at your own risk and only try on a spare computer or virtual machine, and do not use your primary device. You have been warned.

Clean install Windows 11 on ReFS partition 

To install Windows 11 using a ReFS partition, use these steps:

  1. Open GitHub website.

  2. Download the ViveTool-vx.x.x.zip file to enable ReFS.

  3. Double-click the zip folder to open it with File Explorer.

  4. Click the Extract all button.

    Extract ViveTool files

  5. Click the Extract button.

  6. Copy the path to the folder.

  7. Open Start.

  8. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.

  9. Type the following command to navigate to the ViveTool folder and press Enter:

    cd c:\folder\path\ViveTool-vx.x.x

    In the command, change the path to the folder with your path.

  10. Type the following command to enable ReFS partitions on Windows 11 and press Enter:

    vivetool /enable /id:42189933

  11. Restart the computer.

  12. Download the ISO file for Windows 11 build 25284.

  13. Open File Explorer.

  14. Browse to the folder that contains the Windows 11 ISO file.

  15. Double-click the Windows 11 build 25284 ISO file to mount it on File Explorer.

  16. Double-click the Setup.exe file to launch the installation setup.

  17. Continue with the on-screen directions to reinstall Windows 11.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 should install on the computer using ReFS.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].