ReFS support

Hi,

I'm interested in creating a RAM Disk formatted with the ReFS file system. Is this supported by SoftPerfect RAM Disk?

If not, do you have plans to implementing it?

Thanks in advance

Currently ReFS isn't supported as a file system and, generally speaking, it isn't a good choice for several reasons:

• Overhead and Complexity: ReFS is designed to handle large volumes, data integrity, and high resilience, which introduces additional overhead. For a RAM disk, which is typically used for high-speed temporary storage, this overhead is unnecessary and can negatively impact performance.
• Lack of Persistence: ReFS is designed to protect against data corruption and ensure data integrity over time. However, since RAM disks are volatile and lose all data on shutdown or power loss, the benefits of ReFS are largely irrelevant.
• Performance: The primary purpose of using a RAM disk is to achieve the highest possible speed. ReFS, due to its focus on integrity and resilience, might introduce performance penalties that negate the advantages of using a RAM disk in the first place.

A simpler file system like NTFS or exFAT is typically more appropriate for RAM disks due to their lower overhead and better performance characteristics in this context.

Thanks for your response.

I'm interested in using a Dev Drive on a RAM Disk. It is a storage volume optimized for developer workloads that delivers increased performance and it is built on the Resilient File System (ReFS).

That's why I was asking if there's a plan in implementing it on Softperfect RAM Disk.

You can still create a Dev Drive by creating a VHD file and storing it on a RAM disk formatted as exFAT or NTFS. Keep in mind that you'll need a RAM disk of at least 50 GB, as that is the minimum size required for a Dev Drive.

Microsoft suggests that Dev Drives are best suited for:

• Source code repositories and project files
• Build output and intermediate files
• Package caches

Additionally, Microsoft notes that the drive will be marked as trusted, and Windows Defender will run in "performance mode" for that drive.

However, you can achieve the same or even better results by keeping your source code and project files in a regular folder on your SSD while configuring your temporary folders and developer tools to store caches, intermediate files, and build outputs on a regular RAM disk formatted as exFAT or NTFS. This setup provides several benefits:

• Better Performance: RAM is faster than SSD, ensuring quicker access to your build and cache files.
• Increased SSD Longevity: No additional writes to your SSD, which helps extend its lifespan.
• Clean Setup: The RAM disk is cleared on reboot, providing a fresh environment each time.

If you prefer to retain the contents between reboots, you can easily do so by attaching an image file to the RAM disk. Lastly, you can further enhance performance by adding the entire drive to Windows Defender exclusions.