mnt_want_write(9)

✨ NAME ✨

mnt_want_write — get write access to a mount

okay so this is the mnt_want_write(9) page from the Kernel API Manual, and it's literally about getting write access to a mount. slay. 💅

🌸 SYNOPSIS 🌸

int mnt_want_write (struct vfsmount *m );

🦋 ARGUMENTS 🦋

• m — the mount on which to take a write. that's the mount you're asking for write access on, bestie 🫶

💅 DESCRIPTION 💅

okay so here's the whole vibe: this tells the low-level filesystem that a write is about to be performed to it, and it makes sure writes are allowed before returning success — meaning the mount is read-write and the filesystem is not frozen. 🔥

when the write operation is finished, mnt_drop_write must be called. this is effectively a refcount. periodt. 💖

👑 SEE ALSO 👑

the original points at the Kernel file ./fs/namespace.c, and the related crew is:

• mnt_get_write_access(9)
• mnt_get_write_access_file(9)
• mnt_want_write_file(9)
• mnt_put_write_access(9)
• mnt_drop_write(9)
• mnt_hold_writers(9)
• mnt_unhold_writers(9)
• __lookup_mnt(9)
• lookup_mnt(9)
• attach_mnt(9)
• vfs_create_mount(9)
• path_is_mountpoint(9)
• may_umount_tree(9)
• may_umount(9)
• clone_private_mount(9)
• attach_recursive_mnt(9)
• do_lock_mount(9)
• path_overmounted(9)
• can_move_mount_beneath(9)
• mnt_set_expiry(9)
• mnt_allow_writers(9)

source/version: ./fs · date: October 2026 — mwah, bestie 💋✨