UDF file system: what to open?

UDF is a specialized file system that does not depend on the OS and is intended to store files on different media. It is worth noting that UDF is an implementation of the ISO / IEC 13346 standard, and it was designed to become a full-fledged replacement for ISO 9660.

Versatility, as well as the possibility of using it in various operating systems, provides for the use of this file system not only when recording any optical disks, but also when processing other removable media, among which is portable hard drives, as well as various flash drives.

What features does this file system have?

The UDF file system provides the ability to subsequently add files to CD-R or CD-RW discs on a single file without causing a loss of disk space. In addition, this file system takes into account the possibility of selectively erasing certain files on rewritable media, allowing later to free up disk space.

The metadata of the file system, including the root directory, can be located in any sector of the disk, but the root itself is located directly in sector 256 or 257.

It should be noted that the UDF file system is also provided for DVD-media, since it has better support for large volumes. In other words, unlike similar file systems, there are no restrictions on recording 2 GB or 4 GB. It is possible to use fragmented files.

What are the versions?

After its development, the UDF file system became quite common, as a result of which it was constantly improved and updated. Thus, over time, several different versions of it appeared:

1.02

Initially, this version was developed in order to ensure more efficient recording of DVDs with multimedia files. This operating system is supported by Windows 98, as well as many versions of operating systems from Apple. It is possible to use DVD-RAM, as well as magneto-optical disks.

1.50

The UDF file system of this version differs from the previous ones in that it has support for virtual overwriting of CDs and DVD-Rs with the introduction of Virtual Allocation Table technology. In addition, special backup file tables were implemented in the system, which allowed to determine the presence of any damage on rewritable optical media. This file system was already supported in Windows 2000, Linux 2.4, and the growing popularity of Mac OS 9.

2.0

A small improvement of the previous version is to support streaming files, as well as real-time files during DVD burning. Among other things, with the introduction of this version, the UDF file system has become easier to manage directories, and also significantly expanded the support for VAT.

2.01

After the introduction of version 2.0, a huge number of various errors were found. It is for this reason that in 2 years version 2.01 was released, in which the majority of errors were completely corrected. It is also worth noting that in this version a fairly large number of ambiguities of the standard was explained. The version is supported by Windows XP.

2.50

A significant update of the file system, which transferred it to a completely new level. Now the UDF format has a metadata section that facilitates the general grouping of metadata. In addition, this file system has become much more secure, as the procedure for restoring information and optional duplication of the file system data were noticeably simplified. The system works with Windows Vista and higher. It is worth noting that if you are using Windows XP or an earlier version, then in this case you may not open this UDF file system. What is it? Simple lack of OS support.

2.60

This version provides technology for pseudo-rewriting on disks to which serial data was recorded. Supported on Windows Vista and above.

It is worth noting that the development process provides for an even larger volume expansion, which will support the UDF file system. What will it be? For the present nobody can say, but it is known that in the future it will be possible to use this file system for very large hard drives, as well as various holographic media.

Support

Windows XP operating systems provide the ability to support this file system in versions from 1.02 to 2.01 on reading. With the help of specialized utilities, it will be possible to work with various CD-RW or DVD-RW disks in the same way as with standard large-size diskettes. In other words, you can write, read, delete and rename files, that is, directly conduct various operations with them interactively, without the need for specialized commands. If we look at the Vista and 7 operating systems, they also have the standard tools to use optical media interactively.

Also, the file system is also actively supported in Linux. In order to create a disk with such a system, almost all modern versions of programs that are needed to create images can be used. If you use udftools, then in this case you can even format the disks in the given file system, and then use them similarly to large-size floppies.

When is it better to use it?

Despite the fact that the file system UDF 2.01 and other versions appeared long ago, to date it does not have any actual replacement, so it is very, very popular.

The UDF format is optional for a CD-ROM, but if it's a DVD recording, then its use is more than relevant. Of course, DVDs are also often recorded in the ISO standard, but in fact any specialist will say that the UDF file system is much better for this. Than to open such files, not everyone knows, but actually there are no difficulties in finding on the Internet the corresponding utility.

What are its advantages?

For example, you already have some recorded RW disc. What can you do with it after that? If there is still enough free space on the disk, then you can fill it with new files, and in case the disk is already full, but you want to write something to it, you have to completely erase all the information from it and overwrite it Its again. All this takes quite a lot of time, and also forces you to completely delete all information from this media.

You can also give one more example. If there are any reports on your disk, you will need to create a new session to record a new version of the report. In this case, as we know, after the overwriting of the session, the old files will continue to remain on the disk and, accordingly, take up space, so that it may turn out that the disk contains only one file, the size of which is 1 MB, This is no longer available, since it is occupied by all previous sessions.

For this reason, if you want to work with your disks as with standard hard drives, then in this case you should use the UDF file system. Than to open such files, it is easy to learn, and the volume of such programs for downloading is small.

Thus, using this file system, you can easily delete files, after which they will be physically erased from the disk and will not occupy its volume. In other words, to free up free space on the disk, you do not need to completely format it - just simply erase some data you do not need.

How to do it?

Create a disk that will be used by the UDF or ISO file system is quite simple - you can use the popular Nero Burning ROM program today:

1. The "New project" section is initially opened, after which the item CD-ROM (UDF) or DVD-ROM (UDF) is selected.
2. Now you need to specify the parameters of the file system, which are optimal for you. It should be noted right away that if you do not understand this, do not interfere, as by default there are quite acceptable characteristics.
3. Ultimately, you will need to create a physical partition and use the file system version 1.2.

After you write the disc in this way, all restrictions specific to the ISO file system will be completely removed. However, there remains one small remark, which, however, confuses a few - the disk can be called exclusively in capital letters, and its length should not be more than 32 characters. Also, there is no provision for spaces.

Mixed format recording

The latest versions of this program provide an opportunity to use the ISO / UDF-format, that is, it can work with it when not only the UDF file system is used. Will it be possible to read a DVD in this format computer? Of course, yes, if you have a modern operating system.

In order to create such a disk, you will need to select DVD-ROM (ISO / UDF) or CD-ROM (ISO / UDF) in the "New Project" window, which are the last ones in the list of formats. Such a disk combines the structure of the catalogs of each of the considered formats.

It is worth noting that the recording in a mixed format is quite optimal and is quite suitable for storing files. The creation of such a medium is similar to creating a standard data disk.

Note

Since the disk will use two file structures at the same time, it will have slightly less useful capacity compared to the usual one, since the two structures require a larger volume. That's why, if you burn a CD or DVD, but in full volume, it's better that you just use the UDF file system. How to write, we have already figured out, now we need to understand how to open such files.

How to open?

Problems with the opening of the file system are often found in modern users. Often you can face such a situation that, for example, a file with music, on which the UDF file system is designated, is sent over the file. Will the recorder read the file? How to open it? For those to whom the given file system is unknown, many questions open.

To open the file itself, in modern operating systems it is usually enough to just double-click on it, after which the OS will choose which program to use to open it. If you can not open your file, then in such a case there may be a situation that your computer does not have the application program you need, which allows you to open or edit files with this resolution.

If your computer opens a file, but tries to use the wrong program for this, then in this case you will need to make changes to the association of files in the Windows registry. The problem here is that Windows considers files with this extension to be incorrect programs.

In the event that on your computer there is no program at all, which you can open this extension, then you will need to download it. Among the programs with a nice and simple interface, you can select FileViewPro.