A lot of people asked the same question after Parts 1 and 2: do you actually need Linux for this? MakeMKV runs on Windows. Same tool, same quality, completely free. This is the companion to Part 3 of the Media Ripping Station series.
Linux vs Windows: What's Different
| Windows (MakeMKV) | Linux (ARM + MakeMKV) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Setup time | 15 minutes | Several hours |
| Non-Disney 4K | Yes | Yes |
| Disney 4K | No | No |
| Automation | Manual only | Fully automatic |
| Output quality | Identical | Identical |
If automation matters, go read Part 1. If you just want to rip discs on demand without building a server, keep reading.
Hardware
Same rules as Linux: you need a drive that supports LibreDrive. Check the MakeMKV compatibility forum before buying. Well-supported options include the ASUS BW-16D1HT with firmware 3.10 and the Pioneer BDR-XS07UHD.
Connect via USB 3.0 at minimum. 4K rips produce large files and USB 2.0 will slow everything down.
Installing MakeMKV
Download the Windows installer from makemkv.com and install it. MakeMKV handles AACS decryption automatically on Windows, no manual key files needed.
Get v1.18.3 or later. Versions 1.17.8 and 1.17.9 had a bug that caused the LibreDrive firmware flash to silently hang.
Flashing LibreDrive
Without LibreDrive, UHD discs won't work. This is a one-time process. If you already flashed the drive on Linux, you're done.
First, check if your drive actually needs it. Open MakeMKV and click the drive icon. The drive info panel shows:
- "Possible, not yet enabled" means it's compatible and needs flashing
- "Enabled" means it's already done
- No mention of LibreDrive means the drive probably isn't compatible
To flash on Windows you need two things: the mk-firmware-pack (all the firmware files, from the MakeMKV forum thread) and SDFtool Flasher v1.3.6 (a community-made Windows GUI tool linked from the same thread). MakeMKV's Windows UI doesn't have a built-in flash option, so you need the external tool.
Open SDFtool Flasher, select your drive, select the correct firmware file for your drive model, and click Start. It takes about 30 seconds. When it's done, reopen MakeMKV and the drive info should show LibreDrive enabled.
Ripping a Disc
For non-Disney 4K:
- Insert the disc
- MakeMKV scans it and shows available titles
- Select the main movie (usually the longest title)
- Pick your output folder. Map your NAS as a Windows network drive (
\\atia\Media) and output directly there to skip any intermediate copying - Click Make MKV and wait
Rip time depends on disc size and USB speed, but figure 45-90 minutes for a typical 4K UHD title. The output file will land on your NAS ready for Jellyfin.
Disney Discs Hit the Same Wall
MakeMKV on Windows has exactly the same limitations as MakeMKV on Linux. The DRM check is in the disc, not the software or the OS.
Insert a recent Disney or Star Wars 4K disc and you'll get an AACS decryption error after the disc appears to start ripping. Same error. Same result. No difference between platforms.
For Disney content, your options are the same as in Part 2: wait for updated keys on the forums, rip the standard 1080p Blu-ray instead, or buy digital on sale. DVDFab Passkey is a paid Windows-only option with reportedly better Disney success rates, but it requires a UHD-certified drive and I wasn't able to fully test it because of that hardware requirement.
Getting Files Into Jellyfin
Map your NAS as a network drive in Windows File Explorer (\\atia\Media or your NAS address). Point MakeMKV at a folder in your organized library structure:
\\atia\Media\
├── Movies\
│ └── The Matrix (1999)\
│ └── The Matrix (1999).mkv
└── 4K Movies\
└── Dune Part Two (2024)\
└── Dune Part Two (2024).mkv
Jellyfin picks up new files on its next library scan.
That's the Series
For the full automated Linux setup, start at Part 1. For 4K on Linux specifically, Part 2. The Windows approach is the fastest way to get started, and if you decide you want automation later, the transition to the Linux setup isn't that bad.