The latest Insider versions of Windows 11 allow users to install in the form of Refs (Resilient File System, Durable File System). With the feature discovered by Windows Insider detective Phantomofearth in Windows 11 Build 27823, users now get the option to install with the RFS file system in addition to NTFS.

Microsoft’s first introduced with Windows Server 2012, Refs offers features such as higher performance, improvements for data integrity, increased protection against data degradation, and removing the amount of parts that can be processed up to 35 petabytes. However, there are some shortcomings compared to NTFS. For example, it cannot be used in bootable or removable media for the time being.

This is not the first example of the Refs features found in professional server systems to the consumer version of Windows 11. Last October, it was found that the Refs block cloning feature will be available to Windows 11 users to increase file copying speeds. Now, a broader range of Refs is expected to move to the consumer version.

What does Refs File System offer?

Microsoft states that the new file system is designed to “maximize data accessibility, to be efficiently scaled to large data clusters in various workloads, and to provide data integrity by providing resistance to deterioration”. In addition to durability, performance and scalability are also reported to improve. In terms of scalability, Refs offers files and departments up to 35 Petabayta, while NTFS 256 is limited to the Tabayt.

However, as we mentioned before, Refs has some disadvantages. The new file system cannot be used for bootable discs, nor does it support other NTFS features such as file system compression, removable media or disk quotas. Microsoft says it works to add these features.