Reasons to Transfer Games to a Developer Drive on Windows

The Dev Drive functionality in Windows 11 leverages Microsoft’s Resilient File System (ReFS), as opposed to the conventional NTFS format. Tailored for managing expansive datasets, ReFS not only enhances developer outputs but also incorporates advantages for gamers. In this article, we will explore the potential enhancements a Dev Drive can bring to your gaming experience, along with some considerations worth noting.

Understanding ReFS

To appreciate the gaming experience on a Dev Drive, it’s essential to grasp the foundations of ReFS. This advanced filesystem employs innovative techniques such as block cloning and metadata checksums, which contribute to improved data management by increasing stability and speed. ReFS primarily aims to minimize the risk of data corruption while optimizing disk Input/Output (I/O) performance, particularly for substantial datasets.

Additionally, Dev Drive integrates a specialized Microsoft Defender feature that conducts asynchronous file scans on the ReFS volume. This allows files to be accessed immediately while the security check operates in the background, thus expediting loading timeswithout interrupting gameplay. Although this method may slightly compromise security—since files are permitted to run by default—it eliminates the delays commonly associated with real-time scanning and boosts overall disk I/O efficiency.

However, it’s worth noting that ReFS lacks certain consumer-oriented features, including file compression and NTFS encryption, as well as disk quotas. As a result, while a Dev Drive offers increased resilience against data corruption and enhanced disk speeds, it comes at the cost of reduced security and convenience features.

Advantages of Gaming on a Dev Drive

Though NTFS remains the preferred filesystem for gaming and general usage, opting for an ReFS-formatted Dev Drive could be beneficial depending on your specific setup. The primary improvement with a Dev Drive concerns game performance, especially regarding loading times, whether during initial startup or asset loading experienced while gaming. The advantages are particularly notable with SATA SSDs or traditional HDDs, while the benefits on NVMe drives tend to be less pronounced.

Here are some key benefits of using a Dev Drive:

Accelerated Processing of Large Files: ReFS utilizes block-cloning and copy-on-write mechanisms, which can expedite the processing of large files, including game installations and updates.
Enhanced Management of Small Files: The filesystem is specifically optimized for environments that handle numerous small files, a common requirement for many modern games. This may lead to reduced load times and a more stable frame rate in instances where a slower storage medium was previously limiting performance.
Reduced Impact from Microsoft Defender: With real-time scans postponed, there’s potential for increased disk I/O efficiency.
Lower Risk of Data Corruption: Although file corruption is infrequent in gaming, it can still occur, notably concerning game save files. ReFS offers improved resistance to such corruption.

Games with extensive data files, particularly open-world titles, are most likely to benefit from a Dev Drive. Testing on a system equipped with a SATA SSD (530MB read/write speeds) demonstrated an average improvement in game loading times ranging from 5% to 16% after a system restart when using a Dev Drive.

Potential Drawbacks of Using a Dev Drive for Gaming

While ReFS is generally reliable for routine use, adopting it does come with sacrifices, mainly regarding security and convenience. Below are some key drawbacks to consider:

Security Trade-offs: As Windows considers the Dev Drive a trusted source, it executes asynchronous scans, which necessitates caution if utilizing unofficial mods or tweaks. This setting can be modified through the Windows Security app under Virus & threat protection → Manage settings → Dev Drive protection.

Dev Drive Protection enabled in Windows Security

Compatibility Challenges: Although rare, some games or modding tools that utilize NTFS features, such as compression or hardlinks, might encounter functionality issues on a Dev Drive. Additionally, various anti-cheat tools have been known to conflict with games residing on a Dev Drive.

While the absence of features like compression or encryption may seem inconsequential for gaming, they are still noteworthy drawbacks to bear in mind.

Setting Up a Dev Drive in Windows

There’s no need to entirely shift away from NTFS; you can create a separate Dev Drive to experiment with enhanced gaming performance. The only prerequisite is that you allocate a minimum of 50 GB of free space on a drive. To create a Dev Drive, follow these steps:

Navigate to Windows Settings and select System → Storage → Advanced storage settings → Disk & volumes. Click on Create Dev Drive and opt for Resize an existing volume.

Specify the amount of disk space you wish to allocate; ensure that the unallocated space exceeds 50, 000 MB. Once you resize the volume, you will be prompted to name and designate the size of the Dev Drive. If you decide to remove the Dev Drive, you can do so from the same Disk & volumes section.

Filling space to create unallocated space in Windows Settings

Establishing or deleting a Dev Drive is straightforward, allowing you to easily allocate space for your gaming needs and assess any performance improvements. Additionally, consider exploring further optimization tips for your gaming experience on Windows.

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