How to Use Dev Drive in Windows 11 for Better Performance
Windows 11 introduces Dev Drive, a special storage type built on Microsoft’s Resilient File System (ReFS). It’s designed to improve speed, reliability, and security for developers and power users who work with large codebases, build systems, and game assets. Dev Drive can significantly boost performance for workloads that involve frequent file access or heavy I/O operations — such as compiling code, managing package caches, or handling large sets of small files.
What Makes Dev Drive Different
Traditional NTFS drives are optimized for general file storage — documents, media, and apps — but they can slow down when handling thousands of small files or performing constant read/write operations. Dev Drive, on the other hand, uses ReFS, which provides:
- Faster I/O performance: Optimized for development tools and build environments.
- Better reliability: Protects against file corruption with improved metadata handling.
- Efficient security scanning: Works with Microsoft Defender’s performance mode to scan files in the background, reducing system slowdowns.
- Developer-focused isolation: You can separate development workloads from regular files for better management and stability.
When to Use Dev Drive
You’ll see the biggest gains when Dev Drive is used for active, high-load folders that frequently read and write small files. Below are examples of where to use it.
1. Source Code and Project Folders
Move repositories and build folders to Dev Drive. For example:
C:\DevDrive\Projects\MyAppC:\DevDrive\Repos\GitHub
This setup improves performance during:
- Code compilation and builds.
- File indexing in editors like Visual Studio Code, Visual Studio, or JetBrains IDEs.
- Git operations such as cloning, checking out branches, or merging code.
2. Package Caches and Dependency Folders
Development tools often store dependencies in package caches that see constant I/O activity. Dev Drive speeds up:
- Node.js (npm, Yarn) cache folders.
- Python (pip) package caches.
- .NET NuGet package directories.
- Rust Cargo, Go modules, or Java Maven/Gradle caches.
Placing these folders on a Dev Drive makes installations, builds, and dependency resolution faster.
3. Game Libraries and Mod Folders
Games that frequently update assets — especially those with thousands of small texture or mod files — can also benefit.
Move game libraries (e.g., Steam, Epic Games, or custom mod folders) to Dev Drive to see:
- Shorter loading times.
- Smoother patching and modding experiences.
- Better performance during asset extraction or map loading.
⚠️ Not all games benefit. Large single-file installations (e.g., compressed archives) will perform similarly on NTFS.
What NOT to Move to Dev Drive
Not all folders work well on Dev Drive. Some rely on NTFS-specific features or won’t gain any performance boost.
Avoid Moving These:
- System folders:
C:\Windows,C:\Program Files,C:\ProgramData, andC:\Users.
These contain system and app files that rely on NTFS for compatibility and permissions. - Personal folders:
Documents, Pictures, Videos, and Music don’t benefit since they aren’t high-activity or developer workloads. - OneDrive and AppData:
Syncing and configuration files depend on NTFS features and can cause sync failures or login issues. - Temporary and recovery files:
Windows temp folders, system restore points, and BitLocker-encrypted directories aren’t compatible with ReFS. - Boot or encrypted drives:
Dev Drive cannot be used as a system or boot drive, nor can it host BitLocker-encrypted volumes.
How to Create a Dev Drive
You can create a Dev Drive through Settings, Disk Management, or PowerShell.
Option 1: Using Windows Settings
- Open Settings → System → Storage → Advanced storage settings → Disks & volumes.
- Click Create Dev Drive.
- Choose to:
- Use available unallocated space, or
- Shrink an existing volume to create new space.
- Assign a drive letter (e.g.,
D:) and a label (e.g., “DevDrive”). - Click Format — Windows will create a ReFS-based Dev Drive.
- Move development folders or caches to the new drive.
Option 2: Using PowerShell
If you prefer automation:
New-Volume -FileSystem ReFS -FriendlyName "DevDrive" -DriveLetter D
You can then enable Developer Mode (if not already) to optimize performance:
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModelUnlock" -Name "AllowDevelopmentWithoutDevLicense" -Value 1
How Dev Drive Works with Microsoft Defender
Dev Drive integrates with Microsoft Defender Antivirus performance mode — specifically designed for developers.
Instead of scanning every file during access, Defender uses background scanning and smart exclusions, ensuring:
- Real-time protection continues without slowing builds.
- Common dev files (e.g.,
.dll,.obj,.cache) are skipped unless modified. - You get a performance boost without compromising security.
You can verify that Defender is using performance mode by opening Windows Security → Virus & Threat Protection → Manage Settings → Performance Mode.
Best Practices for Dev Drive Management
- Enable Developer Mode in Windows to ensure your Dev Drive is optimized for build tools and IDEs.
- Back up critical data — ReFS is reliable but not immune to hardware failure.
- Avoid using compression or encryption features that reduce Dev Drive performance.
- Use symbolic links to redirect existing build paths to your Dev Drive if you can’t move them directly.
- Monitor performance using Task Manager → Performance → Disk to ensure optimal I/O throughput.
Example Folder Setup
| Drive | Purpose | Example Path |
|---|---|---|
| C: | Windows System and Apps | C:\Program Files, C:\Windows |
| D: | Dev Drive for Source Code | D:\Projects, D:\Repos |
| E: | Dev Drive for Cache & Tools | E:\Tools, E:\NuGet, E:\NodeCache |
| F: | Game Libraries (Optional) | F:\Games, F:\Mods |
This separation improves performance and reduces interference between normal user operations and heavy development workloads.
Key Benefits of Dev Drive
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| ReFS File System | Faster, more reliable storage for active workloads |
| Background Security Scans | Defender scans files intelligently to reduce CPU load |
| Developer Isolation | Keeps code, tools, and caches separate from user data |
| Improved Build Times | Faster compilation and file access in large projects |
| Integration with IDEs | Works seamlessly with Visual Studio, VS Code, and Git |
Bottom Line
Dev Drive is one of the most useful features in Windows 11 for developers and advanced users. It offers speed, isolation, and reliability by using the ReFS file system optimized for active workloads.
To get the best results:
- Use it for source code, caches, and development tools.
- Avoid using it for system, user, or OneDrive folders.
- Enable Defender performance mode to maintain both speed and security.
Whether you’re a developer compiling large projects or a gamer managing huge mod libraries, Dev Drive helps keep your PC responsive and efficient.
