How to migrate your files from NTFS to ReFS without losing data

Do you need to migrate your files from NTFS to ReFS without losing data? You probably already know that this migration isn't as simple as with other file systems. However, there are several ways to achieve this, and here we explain how. which is the safest and most effective, and how to do it safely.

How to migrate your files from NTFS to ReFS without losing data

Data loss is a risk that always exists when we decide to migrate from one file system to another. Hence the importance of proceed with care to prevent corruption or deletion of important files. This is especially true if we want to migrate from NTFS to ReFS without losing data. Why?

Basically because There is no native or third-party tool that allows you to convert NTFS to ReFS without losing data.This process inevitably involves formatting the drive, which can lead to file loss. Therefore, those who can't stay on NTFS and need to migrate to ReFS should look for the safest way to do so.

So how do you migrate your files from NTFS to ReFS without losing data? The safest way to do this is to make a backup first of all data on the NTFS drive. The next step is format the NTFS drive and select ReFS as the file system. And finally, restore data from backup to the drive now with ReFS. Let's look at each step in more detail.

Step 1: Perform a full backup

If you want to keep your files safe during the migration from NTFS to ReFS, it's best to perform a full backup. This type of backup allows you to back up your files in a secure location and restore them as many times as necessaryThis way, if something goes wrong during the migration, you can easily recover your data and settings.

To make a full backup of your files, you can use the Windows backup toolHere, you can save your data to Microsoft's OneDrive cloud storage service or transfer it to external local storage. The latter option is the most recommended, especially if the number of files you need to back up exceeds the free 5 GB offered by OneDrive.

You can also use programs like Macrium Reflect o EaseUS Todo Backup to back up your files. We also have a detailed article on how to make a full backup of your Windows 11 PC which clarifies the most common doubts. After making the backup, make sure the files have been copied correctly, perhaps opening some document to check its integrity.

Step 2: Format the drive with ReFS

The second step to migrating from NTFS to ReFS without data loss is to manually format the drive with the ReFS file system. As you know, This process completely erases the data on the drive, so making a backup beforehand is essential. To format with ReFS in Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Open Disk Management by pressing Win + X keys and selecting Disk Management from the options.
2. Locate the drive you want to migrate, right-click on it, and select Format.
3. In the File System section, choose ReFS.
4. Assign a name to the volume and confirm the formatting.

Now what if The ReFS file system is not listed among the formatting options.This could be due to several reasons. First, remember that ReFS is primarily available on Windows Server and some Windows Pro editions for workstations. So if you're using a standard version of Windows 10 or 11, you may not have access to this option.

On the other hand, keep in mind that in some versions of Windows, ReFS is disabled by default, so you have to activate it manually. How? By modifying the Windows Registry like this:

1. Open regedit.exe by pressing Win + R and typing regedit in the text field.
2. Navigate to the next location HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ CurrentControlSet \ Control.
3. Now the hard part: create a DWORD value called AllowRefsFormatOverNoMirrorVolume and set its value to 1.
4. Confirm the changes and verify that the file format appears among the formatting options.

If you don't see ReFS as a drive formatting option after doing this, it means it's not possible on your computer. If so, follow the steps to format the drive and wait for the process to complete.

Step 3: Restore the backup to migrate from NTFS to ReFS without losing data

The final step to migrating your files from NTFS to ReFS without data loss is to restore the backup to the newly formatted drive. The process of copying files from the backup location to the new ReFS drive is quite simple. To do this, you can use the same tool you used to create the backup. verifying that the data transfer preserves the original structure.

You can also use the function Robocopy from the command console to ensure you copy all files with their permissions and attributes. To do this, run the following command in CMD: Robocopy C:\Backup D:\NewDriveReFS /E /COPY:DAT. This is just an example, so remember to change the drive letters C and D to the backup location and drive in ReFS.

And in this way, you will have migrated from NTFS to ReFS without losing data through a backup. After the migration, it is advisable to Verify that all files are accessible and that the system is running smoothly.. For example, you can use the chkdsk command to detect errors on the drive; and with tools like CrystalDiskMark it is possible to measure the performance of the new file system.

Finally, we invite you to see the related article ReFS vs NTFS Comparison: Which is Best for You?By If you have doubts about taking the leapWhat you can be sure of is that migrating from NTFS to ReFS without losing data is possible and can be done in just a few steps. Follow the recommendations in this article and you'll soon be taking advantage of all the benefits this new file system offers.