Just checking in 2025 to see if there are any issues or interactions between PrimoCache and the current implementation of "Dev Drives" in Windows 11. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dev-drive/ Dev Drives are ReFS file systems that can be optimised to have less Windows overhead (fewer filters). At the block level I suspect PrimoCache doesnt care. I'm looking into the feasibility to migrate my workflows to them - but only if PrimoCache is robust on Dev Drives.
There are some older posts here with both success on ReFS and a few issues (that I suspect may be user specific or earlier generation software).
FWIW I've been using PrimoCache for a number of years to front NTFS spinners with many TB of data very successfully. Truly magnificent software.
Win11 Dev Drives ReFS
Re: Win11 Dev Drives ReFS
We currently strongly recommend using PrimoCache on NTFS partitions. If issues arise with ReFS partitions, the entire partition's data may become irrecoverable due to its limitations.
Re: Win11 Dev Drives ReFS
I use PrimoCache on ReFS for years, without any problems (I don't use Dev Drives).
Note on my usage:
1. The OS is Windows SERVER 2019
2. The only use for the ReFS partition is to serve VHDX files for Hyper-V
Further, yes, the data may become irrecoverable as ReFS deletes corrupted data - meaning that all available data is always 100% good.
To protect yourself from that, you need backups (as you need them too for NTFS to restore corrupted data).
When using a program as PrimoCache, you need even better backups, as a third party driver is interfering with the disks (no pun intended).
So, yes, it works with ReFS.
And it works very well.
But remember to take bakups at least daily (as you always should).
Note on my usage:
1. The OS is Windows SERVER 2019
2. The only use for the ReFS partition is to serve VHDX files for Hyper-V
Further, yes, the data may become irrecoverable as ReFS deletes corrupted data - meaning that all available data is always 100% good.
To protect yourself from that, you need backups (as you need them too for NTFS to restore corrupted data).
When using a program as PrimoCache, you need even better backups, as a third party driver is interfering with the disks (no pun intended).
So, yes, it works with ReFS.
And it works very well.
But remember to take bakups at least daily (as you always should).