Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Dave explains the Windows WinFS (Future Storage) project and why it was canceled. Topics include:
- What was WinFS?
- Why WinFS was created
- File system vs database
- WinFS schemas and metadata
- Organizing files with relationships
- Search capabilities beyond filenames
- Tech behind WinFS (NTFS + SQL Server)
- Hardware limitations
- Integration into Windows Longhorn
- Why WinFS was dropped from Vista
- Beta testing and developer feedback
- Influence on Windows Search & Cortana
- Legacy and lessons of WinFS
- How AI might finally realize WinFS’s dream

Thanks to Theo ( https://x.com/theo ) for the episode idea!