Windows 11 Floppy Disk: It is Still Supported?
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Key notes
- Although Microsoft is moving its new OS forward, Windows 11 still supports 5.25-inch Floppy Disk Drives.
- A user on Reddit demonstrated how he can access the data on disk without any issues.
- We remind you that the 5.25-inch FDD was invented in 1976 so it should be ancient history for PCs.
You would think that with all the new Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 requirements of Windows 11, Microsoft is moving its OS to a new era.
That might be perfectly true but as a user on Reddit recently showed us, the Redmond giant is not abandoning the obsolete technology.
We’re talking about the old 5.25-inch Floppy Disk Drives and their media and some of the commenters from the aforementioned post say that they still got some data on the soft disks.
In fact, we have a great guide on how to Use a Floppy Disk on Windows 10. You will find it useful on Windows 11 too because the indications are very similar.
Quick info about the Floppy Disk Drive
The first floppy disks, invented and made by IBM, had a disk diameter of 8 inches. In 1976, Shugart Associates introduced the 5.25-inch FDD.
After IBM introduced the 3.5-inch FDD, it became the most popular data storage and transfer in the first years of the 21st century.
It’s no surprise that 3.5-inch floppy disks can still be used with a Floppy Disk Drive but we wouldn’t expect that the 5.25-inch one would still be supported.
That’s because the old disks are obviously not manufactured anymore and those who are still catching dust in some collector’s stashes are probably demagnetized by now.
Still, as this finding clearly suggests, some users continue to use older equipment to read or transfer data from floppy disks.
The 5.25″ Floppy Disk drive still works in Windows 11
In the YouTube clip posted by the Reddit user, he clearly shows how he inserts the disk onto the Floppy drive and can access a photo stored on it.
Not only that File Explorer from Windows 11 is able to recognize the drive, but it also accesses the data pretty quickly.
However, it’s only an image with a few Kb of data so there is no real surprise there. A real challenge would be to see an early Windows kit installed with the help of those soft disks.
If you’re interested in exploring this idea even more, find out what other useful features W11 has in store for you.
What do you think about this amazing stunt? Tell us all about it in the comments section below.
