ReFS-formatted USB drives will stop opening in Windows 11 in January 2027
Microsoft will block USB sticks and SD cards formatted with ReFS; FAT32, exFAT and NTFS are not affected.
Windows 11 will stop opening a few USB sticks that use a special format called ReFS. Most people will not notice. Your files are not lost.
Hype check
The noise matches the real change.
Our editorial opinion, based on the sources below. How we score
Your call: hype or real?
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Why it matters
Few people format sticks with ReFS, but those who do need an extra step after the update.
Watch: a small change for a few users.
The details
- The change arrives with the January 2027 Windows 11 update, expected on 12 January.
- It affects only removable storage formatted with ReFS.
- Files are not deleted, but Windows cannot reach them at first.
- FAT32, exFAT and NTFS drives are not affected.
- Administrators can bypass it with the RefsRemovableDeviceMountPolicy group policy or a registry entry, meant for managed PCs.
Receipts
One trusted outlet reports it. Not confirmed yet. Open the sources and check us.
Written with the help of AI tools and checked against the sources above. How we work
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