How to Set Dev Drive as Trusted or Untrusted in Windows 11
You can set your Windows 11 Dev Drive as trusted or untrusted to control security and performance.
A Dev Drive is a special volume in Windows 11 designed for developers, offering enhanced performance and security features. Marking it as trusted or untrusted directly impacts how Windows Defender Antivirus scans files on that drive.
When you trust a Dev Drive, Windows Defender runs fewer scans. This can speed up your development tasks. On the other hand, an untrusted status means more thorough scanning. This enhances security but might slow things down a bit.
Windows 11 versions 22H2 and later support Dev Drives, which are special storage spaces for developers. Managing the trust status of Dev Drives is important for a better developer workflow.
Open Windows Terminal as Administrator and use commands like `fsutil devdrv trust :` to set it as trusted for better performance. Use `fsutil devdrv untrust :` for enhanced security, though it may be slower.
What is a Dev Drive?
A Dev Drive in Windows 11 is a special storage space that helps make your computer faster for development tasks. It uses a system called ReFS to keep your files safe. By default, Windows considers a Dev Drive trusted, meaning Windows Defender runs in a faster mode for better speed while still protecting your files.
By default, Windows trusts a Dev Drive. This means Windows Defender (the built-in security software) runs in a faster performance mode on that drive, giving you good security and good speed.
Marking a Dev Drive as untrusted triggers stricter protection from Windows Defender. The program uses its real-time protection mode for untrusted Dev Drives, offering increased security but potentially reducing system speed.
How to Set a Dev Drive as Trusted or Untrusted
Here’s how you can check and change your Dev Drive’s trust status.
Step 1Open Windows Terminal as Administrator
⚠️ Requires admin privileges
- Click the Start menu (Windows icon in the bottom-left corner).
- Type Terminal in the search box.
- When you see Windows Terminal in the results, right-click it and select Run as administrator.
Step 2Check Your Dev Drive’s Current Status
Before changing anything, you should check if your Dev Drive is currently trusted or untrusted. Open Windows Terminal and type the command `fsutil devdrv query :`, replacing “ with your Dev Drive’s letter (like `W:`). This command shows you the current trust setting for your Dev Drive.
fsutil devdrv query <drive letter>:Replace <drive letter> with the letter of your Dev Drive. For example, if your Dev Drive is W, type:
Windows 11 users can improve Dev Drive performance by changing its trust setting from untrusted to trusted. This change activates optimizations. To make a Dev Drive trusted, run the `DevDriveManager.exe` tool.
fsutil devdrv trust W:This command makes your W: drive trusted.
Step 4Set the Dev Drive as Untrusted
To set your Dev Drive as untrusted, you’ll use a specific command in Windows Terminal. This is useful if you want to increase security for sensitive files on the drive, as it changes how Windows Defender protects it. For example, to make your W: drive untrusted, you would type `fsutil devdrv untrust W:` and press Enter.
fsutil devdrv untrust W:This command marks your W: drive as untrusted.
Summary
- Trusted Dev Drive: Windows Defender runs in faster performance mode.
- Untrusted Dev Drive: Defender uses real-time protection, which is more secure but slower.
- You can easily switch between trusted and untrusted using simple commands in Windows Terminal.
You can choose to set your Dev Drive as either trusted or untrusted. A trusted Dev Drive lets Windows Defender run in a faster performance mode, balancing speed and security. An untrusted Dev Drive uses real-time protection, which is more secure but slightly slower. You can easily switch between these settings using commands in Windows Terminal.
Learn More
For more information, visit the official Microsoft page on Trusted Dev Drives.
How do I turn off dev drive protection?
Let's check if the dev drive feature is disabled. Again open settings. Application. Click on storage expand advanced storage settings. And click on disk. And volumes.
What is a dev drive in 🪟 Windows 11?
Often, it's memory and file access that slow things down. This is where a “dev drive” can help. It’s a special volume from Microsoft built on ReFS (Resilient File System). A dev drive is optimized for handling many small files at once.
How do I disable Dev Drive antivirus?
Go to Virus & Threat protection settings by clicking the Manage settings. Disable Real-time Protection. Disable Dev Drive protection (If you have)
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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