Accessing linux ext file-systems on win7

If you want to access only 'ext2' file systems:

'ext2ifs' is a very cool program to access the linux ext2 file-systems from windows. However, this works only on winXP or Vista, but not on Win7. No problem! win7 supports a compatibility mode where one can the programs on XP or Vista. To do so, right click on the exe of your interest (which you want to run under compatibility mode) -> Properties -> Compatibility. Check the box 'Run this program in compatibility mode for:' and select the windows version. After this, click 'Apply' to save your changes and you are done! The next time you run this exe, it'll automatically run under the mode for the appropriate windows version you selected above.

If you want to access an 'ext3/4' file systems: (read-only access)

There's a nice utility called linux-reader. This can provide read-only access to ext2/3/4, HFS and RaiserFS file systems! But, as mentioned above, it provided read-only access.

If you want to access an 'ext3' file system (both read/write access)

Utility called 'ext2fsd' is a solution for this case. However you have to install this exe and run it as administrator. To do so: right click on the exe to run -> 'Run as administrator'. This is an awesome utility and a plus point about it is that it doesn't require it's own explorer unlike the 'linux-reader' utility! Once you have assigned a drive letter to the volume of your interest, you can directly access them using the windows native explorer!