Reading and writing Windows and Ubuntu files

[silvio777]

Hi,
I’ve just installed Ubuntu and started using it.
To avoid potentially damaging the personal files (doc, pdf, txt, etc.) that I’ve created over the years on a USB stick using Windows only, can the same files be read and edited with both operating systems, or do I always have to convert them? I mean, can I use the same stick to manage my files on both operating systems?

Thanks

[ogra]

Such file types are usually universal and follow a standard (you can open the same PDF/txt/doc on macos, Windows, Linux)

What usually differs is the application you use to handle them because many of your accustomed apps simply do not exist on the other OS

[graymech]

Libreoffice is default installed in Ubuntu and there is a Windows version that you can install. Libreoffice is said to be very good at reading and saving Windows file formats.

I was recently sent a Windows docx document by my pension provider. I needed to fill in the form and return it. Libreoffice Writer in Ubuntu opened the docx file and I was able to fill in the form and send it back. And then save it in Libreoffice Writer odt format as well.

For future reference. When creating a new USB memory stick to needs that to be read in both Windows and Ubuntu, format it so that it can be read in Windows. Ubuntu will still be able to read and write to it. But if it is formatted as a Linux drive (Ext4) Windows will most probably not be able to read it.

[oldfred]

Windows likes to turn on a fast startup setting which makes Windows seem like it boots a bit quicker. That sets hibernation flag and may prevent Ubuntu from writing or using and NTFS formatted partition in normal mode. If hibernationed it can be manually mounted in read only mode.

If you need compatibility with Windows and Ubuntu best to use NTFS in separate data partition(s) or external drives and make sure Windows fast start up is always off. Also for those who later decide to remove Windows they need to convert from NTFS as repairs to NTFS need Windows. Linux has a tool, but it really only turns on the chkdsk flag, so Windows will run chkdsk on reboot. Use Linux formats like ext4 for Linux only data as Linux formats use ownership & permissions for added security.