A new Windows 11 update ensures that files can be copied up to 94 percent faster. This is due to two specific improvements called ReFS and block cloning.

In Windows 11’s 24H2 update, developers working with large numbers of files will gain access to two improvements: the Resilient File System (ReFS) and technology Block cloning.

ReFS, Resilient File System, is an alternative to NTFS, New Technology File System. Until recently, this technology was only available for Windows Server. It is aimed at developers and server operators who use multiple drives and therefore need the most stable storage possible. According to Tom’s Hardware, these options are included in the Dev Drive. This drive is located in the Dev Home developer dashboard.

Why is block cloning so much faster?

Block cloning ensures much faster and more efficient file transfers. Instead of having to read and rewrite all the data, it simply creates a reference to the original data. The actual copying only occurs when the data in this file is changed. For a 1-megabyte file, the copy speed would improve by at least eighteen percent. The speed increases by 94 percent for files of one gigabyte and by 92 percent for files of ten gigabytes.

ReFS also offers numerous advantages. Notable features include automatic backups and integrity checks, eliminating the need to perform manual disk checks. ReFS divides different hard drives and SSDs into performance levels and capacity levels. This way you can easily see which drives are faster and which have the largest capacity. The prerequisite for this function is that your drives are connected to a server.

Microsoft is rolling out the Windows 24H2 update in stages. Microsoft is doing this to avoid major problems, although the update quickly caused problems.