Ipfs Mount is a free, open-source utility for Windows that maps the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) to a drive letter, so you can open decentralized content in Explorer the same way you open a folder on your disk. It suits developers, researchers and hobbyists who already work with IPFS and want file-manager access without writing code. Before you start, know that the project has had no code updates since January 2019, so treat it as a legacy tool and read the safety section first.
The latest release is v0.3.3, published under the MIT license and written in C#/.NET. It needs two companion pieces on the machine: a working IPFS installation and Dokany, the Windows library that makes custom drive mapping possible. Once those are in place, a single command mounts the drive, and the same tool unmounts it when you are done.
What Is Ipfs Mount and How Does Drive Mapping Work
IPFS identifies a file by a hash of its content rather than by the server where it sits. A normal web link points to a location, while an IPFS address points to data, so any node that holds that data can serve it. This model is powerful, but most desktop applications were built around paths and folders, not hashes.
Ipfs Mount bridges that gap on Windows. It presents the IPFS namespace as a drive, so programs that only understand paths can open files without knowing anything about IPFS. From an application's point of view, a path under z:\ipfs looks like any local file. The difference shows up in where the bytes come from and in how the content is addressed.
Because the mapping happens at the file-system layer, the same workflow works in Explorer, in image viewers and in text editors. You do not need a custom plugin for each application, which is the main practical reason people reach for a tool like this.
Who Benefits Most From Mounting IPFS as a Drive
Mounting is most useful when you already have IPFS content and want to work with it using familiar tools. Common scenarios include:
- A researcher who keeps a pinned dataset and wants to open CSV files in a spreadsheet program directly from the drive.
- A developer testing a static website stored on IPFS, who opens its HTML and CSS in a code editor to check changes.
- An archivist who pins a collection of documents and wants to browse it in Windows Explorer alongside local folders.
- A team whose members work mostly in Windows-only applications and need read access to shared IPFS material.
If you only occasionally visit IPFS links in a browser, a mounted drive adds little. The tool pays off when file access is a daily habit rather than a one-off lookup.
What Do the Long Strings in IPFS Paths Mean?
Paths under the IPFS drive often begin with a long string such as Qm followed by dozens of characters. This is a content identifier, usually called a CID. It is derived from the data itself, so the same file always produces the same identifier, and any change to the file produces a new one.
That makes CIDs useful as fingerprints. If two people share the same CID, they are looking at byte-for-byte identical content. Folders inside an IPFS directory appear as subfolders after the identifier, so a path takes the general form z:\ipfs\<CID>\folder\file.ext.
The practical tip is to copy CIDs from the WebUI or from the person who shared them, rather than typing them by hand. A single wrong character produces a different identifier and a path that leads nowhere.
Key features
Mounts IPFS and IPNS on a Drive Letter
One-Command Unmounting
Pinned Files Under z:\ipfs
Shortcut to the IPFS WebUI
How to install Ipfs Mount on Windows
- 1
Confirm Windows Support
Ipfs Mount runs on Windows and is distributed as a Windows build or installer. Check that your version of Windows is still receiving security updates before you install a tool that adds a file-system layer to your system.
- 2
Install IPFS
Install IPFS first and make sure it is set up on your machine, because Ipfs Mount depends on it. The requirements note that IPFS can be installed with Chocolatey (choco), the Windows package manager, if you prefer a command-line setup.
- 3
Install Dokany With Administrator Rights
Dokany installation requires administrator rights, so open your terminal as administrator or accept the elevation prompt when it appears. Like IPFS, Dokany can be installed through Chocolatey. Complete this step before you try to mount anything.
-
Download and Verify Ipfs Mount
Download only from the official site or the GitHub Releases page at github.com/richardschneider/net-ipfs-mount. Check the SHA-256 checksum or signature when the release provides one, then run the installer or unpack the Windows build into a folder you control.
System requirements
- Windows, using the Windows build or installer
- IPFS installed on the same machine, since Ipfs Mount depends on it
- Dokany installed; its installation requires administrator rights
How to use Ipfs Mount
Ipfs Mount is a command-line tool, so the workflow happens in a terminal. Make sure your IPFS node is running before you mount, because the drive reflects what the node can serve. The steps below assume the drive letter z, but you can use any free letter.
- Start your IPFS node and confirm it is running.
- Open Command Prompt or PowerShell.
- Run ipfs-mount z to attach IPFS and IPNS to drive z.
- Open File Explorer and look for the new z: drive.
- Browse z:\ipfs to find pinned content, and open files with any application you like.
- Open the shortcut in the root of the drive to launch the IPFS WebUI in your browser.
- When you finish, run ipfs-mount z: /u to unmount the drive.
If the drive does not appear, check that Dokany is installed and that your terminal is running with the rights the installation needs. Keep the terminal open while you work, and unmount before shutting down IPFS so the drive does not point at a node that has stopped.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source under the MIT license
- Gives IPFS content a familiar drive letter in Windows Explorer
- Simple mount and unmount commands that are easy to script
- Pinned files are easy to find under z:\ipfs
- Includes a shortcut to the IPFS WebUI at the root of the drive
- Source code is public on GitHub for review
- No code updates since January 2019
- Depends on two other components, IPFS and Dokany
- Dokany installation requires administrator rights
- Only pinned content is described as appearing under the ipfs folder, so you need to pin files you want to reach reliably
- Documentation and support are limited compared with actively maintained tools
Is Ipfs Mount safe?
Ipfs Mount has had no code updates since January 2019, so it may not keep pace with newer IPFS or Windows releases. Treat it as a legacy tool and test it on a non-critical machine before relying on it. Download only from the official site or the GitHub Releases page, and check the SHA-256 checksum or signature when the release provides one. Install IPFS and Dokany from their own trusted sources as well. The program works with files rather than keys or wallets, so no legitimate setup step should ask for a seed phrase. If anyone asks for one, stop, because that is a sign of a scam.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/richardschneider/net-ipfs-mount. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Ipfs Mount covers a narrower job than most tools in the IPFS category. Its purpose is file access through a drive letter. IPFS Desktop, by contrast, runs a node from the system tray and gives you a graphical overview of your node. Kubo is the reference IPFS node for running and configuring a node itself. Pinner CLI for pinning content suits command-line workflows, and Peergos encrypted file storage focuses on private, peer-to-peer sharing. ZeroNet takes a different route, hosting decentralized websites. Choose Ipfs Mount if your goal is reading IPFS files in Explorer, and choose a node tool if you need to run and manage IPFS itself.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- v0.3.3
- Last update
- 19 Jan 2019
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/richardschneider/net-ipfs-mount
Frequently asked questions
It can be used safely if you take precautions. Download only from the official site or the GitHub Releases page, verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature when available, and remember that the project has had no code updates since January 2019. Test it on a non-critical machine first.
Yes. Ipfs Mount is free and open-source software released under the MIT license. The source code is available on GitHub, so you can inspect it or build it yourself if you have the development tools installed.
Yes. Dokany is required for the mount to work, and its installation requires administrator rights. You can install it through Chocolatey, the Windows package manager, or from a trusted source. Install it before you run the mount command.
Open a terminal and run ipfs-mount z: /u, replacing z with the letter you used. The drive disappears from Explorer once it is unmounted. It is a good habit to unmount before you stop your IPFS node.
Pinned content appears under z:\ipfs, so pin any files you need to reach reliably through the drive. The mount also includes a shortcut to the IPFS WebUI in the root folder for node management.
Ipfs Mount gives you file access through a drive letter, while IPFS Desktop runs a node from the system tray with a graphical interface. They solve different problems and can be used together, since the mount depends on a working IPFS installation.
Verdict
Ipfs Mount is a niche, free tool for Windows users who want IPFS content inside Explorer. It fits developers and researchers who already run IPFS and are comfortable with an older codebase and a command-line workflow. If you need regular updates or a full node interface, a maintained tool such as IPFS Desktop or Kubo will serve you better. Read the safety section, check the latest release notes on GitHub, and test on a non-critical machine first.