How To Access Windows Files on Ubuntu

In the world of operating systems, it’s not uncommon to find users who prefer to use both Windows and Ubuntu on the same machine. This dual-boot setup allows users to enjoy the benefits of both operating systems. However, there might be times when you need to access your Windows files while operating on Ubuntu. This article will guide you through the process of accessing Windows files on Ubuntu.

Using the File Manager

Ubuntu comes with a built-in file manager, which varies depending on the version you are using (Nautilus in Ubuntu, Thunar in Xubuntu, Dolphin in Kubuntu, or PCManFM in Lubuntu). Here’s how you can use it to access your Windows files:

1. Open your File Manager.
2. On the left pane, you’ll see a list of all your partitions. Look for the Windows partition and click on it.
3. The partition will be automatically mounted, and its contents will be displayed in the main pane of the File Manager.
4. You can now navigate through the files and folders, and copy any files or folders you need to your Ubuntu desktop.

Manually Mounting the Partition

If for some reason you can’t access your Windows files through the File Manager, you can manually mount the partition. Here’s how:

1. Open a terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T.
2. Create a directory where you’ll mount the Windows partition. You can do this by running the command: sudo mkdir /media/windows. Here, sudo gives you superuser privileges, mkdir is the command to create a directory, and /media/windows is the location where the directory will be created.
3. Now, mount the partition by running the command: sudo mount /dev/sdaX /media/windows. Replace X with the number of your Windows partition. The mount command mounts file systems, and /dev/sdaX is the file system you’re mounting (your Windows partition).
4. The Windows partition will now be mounted inside the /media/windows directory. You can access the files by navigating to /media/windows in your File Manager.

Accessing Windows files through the default file browser

You can also access your Windows files directly through Ubuntu’s default file browser. Here’s how:

1. Open the default file browser in Ubuntu.
2. Click on “Other Locations” at the bottom of the sidebar. This will display a list of all disk partitions.
3. Look for a partition that starts with /dev/nvme... or /dev/sata... (depending on your disk type).
4. Click on this partition to mount it. You can now access all your Windows files directly from this directory.

Remember, when copying files from your Windows partition to your Ubuntu desktop, you’re creating a copy of the file in Ubuntu. Any changes you make to the copied file in Ubuntu will not affect the original file in Windows.

Accessing your Windows files on Ubuntu is a straightforward process once you understand the steps. Whether you prefer using the built-in file manager, manually mounting the partition, or using the default file browser, Ubuntu provides several ways to access your Windows files.