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 area designed to speed up your computer for development work, using a system called ReFS to protect 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
In the Terminal window, type this command and press Enter:
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
Changing the Dev Drive's trust status from trusted to untrusted increases security for sensitive data stored on this Windows 11 virtual drive. Users execute a specific command to change the trust status. This action prevents unauthorized access to data on the Dev Drive.
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 set your Dev Drive as either trusted or untrusted, which changes how Windows Defender protects it; a trusted Dev Drive lets Defender run faster but an untrusted Dev Drive offers more security.
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)
Was this guide helpful?
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.
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!