How to Mount Linux File System on Windows 11 via WSL

This guide explains how to open your Linux files on Windows 11 using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).

Why mount a Linux file system?

Mounting a Linux file system allows your computer to read and write data stored on Linux-formatted drives like ext4 or xfs. By connecting these drives, you bridge the gap between different operating systems. This makes it easy to manage files, recover data, or share information between Windows and Linux environments.

What happens when you are done?

Once you finish, your Linux drive becomes a part of your accessible storage. You can open, edit, and save files directly from your file manager. When you unmount the drive, the connection is safely closed, ensuring your data stays protected and organized.

How to mount Linux file systems in native Linux

In a native Linux environment, you use the mount command to connect a block device to a directory called a mount point. This makes the files on the disk visible to your system.

Basic syntax:

sudo mount -t ext4 /dev/sdb1 /mnt/mydata

Admin Privilege Required: This command requires root access. Always use sudo before the command.

How to check currently mounted drives

To see what is currently connected, use the lsblk or df -h commands. These tools list all active block devices and their mount points.

Permanent mounting via /etc/fstab

If you want a drive to mount automatically every time you turn on your computer, you must edit the /etc/fstab file. This file acts as a configuration map for your system.

Admin Privilege Required: Editing /etc/fstab requires root permissions. Use a text editor like nano or vi to add your drive details, including the device path, mount point, and filesystem type.

Mounting specific media types

You can mount various media types using the same logic. For an ISO file, use the -o loop option. For powershell-to-map-or-unmap-network-drive-in-windows-11/" class="sal-link" rel="noopener" target="_blank" data-sal-id="26646">network drives, you might use mount -t nfs to connect to a remote server.

Unmounting and troubleshooting

Always use the umount command before removing a physical drive. If you get a ‘target is busy’ error, it means a program is still using a file on that drive. Close all open folders or terminal windows pointing to that directory, then try again.

Mount Linux file system on Windows 11 via WSL

First, make sure your WSL kernel is up to date. Open PowerShell as an administrator and run this command:

wsl --update

To see your connected drives, run this command in PowerShell:

Get-PhysicalDisk | Select-Object FriendlyName, DeviceId, Size

Look for the DeviceId of the drive you want to mount (for example, \\.\PHYSICALDRIVE1).

To mount the entire physical drive, use this command:

wsl --mount \\.\PHYSICALDRIVE1

If you prefer to mount a specific partition, add the partition number:

wsl --mount \\.\PHYSICALDRIVE1 --partition 1

Note: If you are working with a virtual hard disk file instead of a physical drive, you can mount it directly using: wsl --mount --vhd <PathToVHD>.

Access the Linux file system in Windows File Explorer

Once the drive is mounted, you can view your files easily. Open File Explorer and look for the Linux node in the left navigation pane. Alternatively, you can type the following path into the address bar:

\\wsl$\<DistroName>\mnt

Summary

Mounting a Linux file system allows you to access data across different environments. Whether using native Linux commands like mount and umount or using WSL on Windows 11, the process involves identifying your drive and assigning it to a mount point. Always remember to unmount your drives safely to keep your data secure and avoid errors.