# WinFsp - Windows File System Proxy [[WinFsp-Icon.png]] Developing file systems is a challenging proposition. Developing file systems for Windows is an order of magnitude more difficult. WinFsp eases the task of writing a new file system for Windows. WinFsp file systems are user mode programs and they can be written in a variety of languages and frameworks. The documentation available here discusses various aspects of WinFsp. ## Programming - The [[Tutorial|WinFsp-Tutorial]] describes how to create a simple, but complete file system in C/C++. - The [[API Reference|WinFsp-API-winfsp.h]] describes the native WinFsp API. - There is also a FUSE compatibility layer for native Windows and Cygwin. See fuse.h in the source repository. - This [[document|Native-API-vs-FUSE]] discusses the need for both a native API and FUSE and gives some pointers on which one to choose. - Since release 2019.3 WinFsp supports development of file systems in kernel mode. This [[document|WinFsp-Kernel-Mode-File-Systems]] discusses how to write such file systems. ## Design - The [[Design|WinFsp-Design]] document describes the high-level design of WinFsp. - The [[IPC|WinFsp-as-an-IPC-Mechanism]] document offers insights into the WinFsp Inter-Process Communication mechanism. - The [[Queued Events|Queued-Events]] document discusses a low-level synchronization primitive that is largely responsible for the excellent performance of the WinFsp IPC mechanism. - The [[Service Architecture|WinFsp-Service-Architecture]] document discusses how to intergrate a file system into Windows as a service and the reasons to do so. - The [[SSHFS Port Case Study|SSHFS-Port-Case-Study]] document chronicles the creation of the WinFsp-FUSE compatibility layer and the decisions that led to its design. ## Testing - The [[Testing|WinFsp-Testing]] document discusses the WinFsp testing strategy and how WinFsp achieves correctness and stability. - The [[Performance|WinFsp-Performance-Testing]] document compares WinFsp performance against other file systems. ## Compatibility - The [[Compatibility|NTFS-Compatibility]] document discusses current WinFsp compatibility with NTFS.