# Show HN:Linux2Win Auto-detect Linux disks, project Ext2/3/4 as Windows folders

> Source: <https://github.com/APS-PPR-2016/Linux2Win>
> Published: 2026-09-21 10:31:05+00:00

A modern, high-performance C++20 / CMake solution that automatically detects Linux disks & USBs (when inserted or already present), validates and parses Linux data partitions (Ext2/3/4), strictly excludes boot/system/swap partitions, protects write safety with read-only enforcement, and projects data partitions as native Windows folders using **Windows Projected File System (ProjFS)**.

1. **Automatic Disk & Hotplug Monitoring** :
  - Detects all existing physical drives (`PhysicalDrive0` ..`PhysicalDriveN` ).
  - Listens in real-time for USB and external disk insertion and removal via Win32 `WM_DEVICECHANGE` device interface hooks.
2. Detects all existing physical drives (
3. **Strict Data-Only Partition Filtering** :
  - Automatically inspects GPT and MBR partition tables.
  - **Allowed Data Partitions** : Linux Filesystem Data, Linux`/home` , Linux Root (`x86_64` ,`arm64` ,`x86` ),`/srv` ,`/var` , and user data partitions.
  - **Excluded Partitions** : EFI System Partitions (ESP), BIOS Boot, Linux`/boot` , Linux Swap, Microsoft Reserved (MSR), Microsoft Recovery.
4. **Zero-Dependency Ext2/Ext3/Ext4 Engine** :
  - Built-in, self-contained parser supporting 64-bit block addressing, extents trees, directory hash/linear entries, fast & regular symlinks, and inode table parsing.
5. **Native Windows Explorer Integration (ProjFS)** :
  - Projects the Linux filesystem directly into `C:\LinuxDisks\Disk<N>_Part<M>` using the Windows Projected File System.
  - Standard Windows Explorer operations: double-click to open files, view properties, drag-and-drop, and copy files/folders directly to Windows drives.
6. Projects the Linux filesystem directly into 
7. **Enforced Read-Only Safety** :
  - Drive handles opened strictly in `GENERIC_READ` mode with`FILE_SHARE_READ | FILE_SHARE_WRITE` .
  - File attributes tagged with `FILE_ATTRIBUTE_READONLY` .
  - All write, modify, truncate, and delete operations are blocked (`ERROR_ACCESS_DENIED` ).
8. Drive handles opened strictly in 
9. **Memory-Resident Background Daemon & System Tray** :
  - Runs quietly in the notification area with a sleek context menu.
  - Interactive permission prompt asking user consent for Windows startup.
  - Desktop balloon notifications when Linux partitions are mounted or unmounted.

Linux2Win provides an integrated Windows Setup Wizard (`linux2win_setup.exe`):

1. **Interactive Startup Permission** : Asks for permission to load on Windows startup in memory-resident background mode.
2. **Explorer Shortcuts** : Automatically creates desktop and Start Menu shortcuts to`C:\LinuxDisks` .
3. **ProjFS Feature Activator** : Enables the Windows Projected File System feature if not active.
4. **Clean Uninstallation** : Registers with Windows*Add or Remove Programs* and generates`uninstall.exe` .

```
# Scan all physical drives and classify partitions (shows data vs excluded boot/swap partitions)
.\linux2win.exe scan

# Start real-time hotplug monitor (detects USB / drive insertion and removal)
.\linux2win.exe monitor

# Auto-mount all detected Linux data partitions to Windows folders
.\linux2win.exe auto

# Mount a specific Linux data partition as a Windows folder via ProjFS
.\linux2win.exe mount <disk_index> <partition_number> [target_folder]
# Example:
.\linux2win.exe mount 1 2 C:\LinuxDisks\Drive1_Part2

# List directory contents on a Linux partition
.\linux2win.exe ls <disk_index> <partition_number> [path]
# Example:
.\linux2win.exe ls 1 2 /home/user

# Display contents of a file on Linux partition
.\linux2win.exe cat <disk_index> <partition_number> <file_path>

# Safely copy/export a file or folder from Linux partition to Windows
.\linux2win.exe export <disk_index> <partition_number> <linux_path> <windows_target_dir>
# Example:
.\linux2win.exe export 1 2 /etc/fstab C:\Users\YourUser\Desktop
```

- Visual Studio 2022 (with MSVC C++20 toolchain)
- CMake 3.20+
- Windows 10 (1809+) or Windows 11

```
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/APS-PPR-2016/Linux2Win.git
cd Linux2Win

# Configure with MSVC 2022
cmake -B build -G "Visual Studio 17 2022" -A x64

# Build Release binaries
cmake --build build --config Release

# Run automated unit tests
cd build
ctest -C Release --output-on-failure

# Package ZIP distribution
cpack -C Release -G ZIP
```

If you find **Linux2Win** useful, please consider supporting the project:

This project is licensed under the [MIT License](https://github.com/APS-PPR-2016/Linux2Win/blob/main/LICENSE).