The difference between FAT32 and NTFS

Prior to the introduction of the FAT32 file system, the file system used by the PC is usually FAT16. The FAT16 file system is used in systems such as Ms-dos,win 95. Under Win 9X, the maximum number of partitions supported by FAT16 is 2GB. We know that computers store information in areas called "clusters" on your hard disk. The smaller the cluster you use, the more efficient it is to save information. In the case of FAT16, the bigger the cluster, the lower the storage efficiency and the waste of storage space. And with the continuous improvement of computer hardware and application, FAT16 file system can not adapt to the requirements of the system well. In this case, an enhanced file system FAT32 is introduced. Compared with FAT16, FAT32 mainly has the following characteristics:

1. The biggest advantage of FAT32 compared to FAT16 is that the disk size that can be supported is 2TB (2047GB), but partitions less than 512MB are not supported. Win 2000, based on FAT32, can support a maximum of 32GB partitions, while the FAT16 win 2000 supports a maximum of 4GB.

2. With smaller clusters, the FAT32 file system can save information more efficiently. If two partitions are 2GB in size, one partition uses the FAT16 file system, and the other partition uses the FAT32 file system. The cluster size of the FAT16 partition is 32KB, and the FAT32 partition is only 4KB in size. This FAT32 is much higher than the FAT16 storage efficiency and typically increases by 15%.

3. The FAT32 file system can reposition the root directory and use a backup copy of fat. In addition, the FAT32 partition's boot record is included in a structure that contains critical data, reducing the likelihood of computer crashes.

NTFS file system

The NTFS file system, a security based file system, is a unique file system structure used by Windows NT and is an advanced file system built on protecting file and directory data while taking care of saving storage resources and reducing disk consumption. Using a very wide range of Windows NT 4.0 is the NTFS 4.0 file system, I believe that it brings a strong system security to the vast number of users have left a deep impression. Win 2000 uses a newer version of the NTFS file system?? NTFS 5.0, which enables users to operate and manage computers as quickly and easily as win 9X, while also enjoying the system security that NTFS brings.

The features of NTFS 5.0 are mainly embodied in the following aspects:

1. NTFS can support partitions (if a dynamic disk is called a volume) size can reach 2TB. The maximum size of the FAT32 support partition in Win 2000 is 32GB.

2. NTFS is a recoverable file system. It is rare for a user to run a disk fix on an NTFS partition. NTFS ensures partition consistency by using standard object handling logs and recovery techniques. NTFS uses log files and checkpoint information to automatically restore file system consistency when a system failure event occurs.

3. NTFS supports compression of partitions, folders, and files. Any windows-based application that reads and writes compressed files on an NTFS partition does not need to be uncompressed by other programs, and the files are automatically decompressed when the file is read, and the files are automatically compressed when the file is closed or saved.

4. NTFS uses smaller clusters to manage disk space more efficiently. In the case of the FAT32 file system of Win 2000, the size of the partition at 2GB~8GB is 4KB, the size of the cluster is 8KB when 8GB~16GB, and the cluster size is 16KB when the partition size is 16GB~32GB. The NTFS file system of Win 2000, when the size of the partition below 2GB, the size of the cluster is smaller than the corresponding FAT32 clusters, when the size of the partition is above 2GB (2GB~2TB), the size of the cluster is 4KB. By contrast, NTFS can manage disk space more efficiently than FAT32, minimizing the waste of disk space.

5. On NTFS partitions, you can set access permission permissions for shared resources, folders, and files. Licensing settings include two things: which groups or users are allowed access to folders, files, and shared resources, and what level of access is available to the group or user who has access permission. The settings for access permission permissions apply not only to users of the local computer, but also to network users who access files through shared folders on the network. Security is much higher than accessing folders or files under the FAT32 file system. In addition, in Win 2000 in NTFS format, an audit policy can be applied to audit folders, files, and Active Directory objects, and audit results are recorded in the security log, which allows you to see which groups or users are doing what levels of folders, files, or Active Directory objects through the security log. So that the system may be faced with illegal access, by taking appropriate measures to minimize this security risk. These are not implemented under the FAT32 file system.

6. Disk quota management is available under the NTFS file system of Win 2000. Disk quotas are the amount of disk space that an administrator can use for a user, and each user can only use disk space within the maximum quota range. After you set up disk quotas, you can track and control disk usage for each user, by monitoring to identify users exceeding the quota alert threshold and quota limit, and take appropriate action. The disk quota management function provides the administrator with convenient and reasonable allocation of storage resources to the users, so as to avoid the system crash caused by the uncontrolled use of disk space, and improve the security of the system.

7. NTFS uses a "change" log to track changes that occur in a record file.

Tips (choose FAT32 and NTFS recommendations)

On the security side of the system, the NTFS file system has features that are not available in many FAT32 file systems, and Win 2000 on NTFS runs faster than FAT32 Win 2000, while FAT32 is superior to NTFS in terms of compatibility with win 9X. So when deciding what file system to use in Win 2000, you should start with the following points:

1. The computer is a single Win 2000 system, or the use of multiple-boot win 2000 system;

2. The number and capacity of locally installed disks;

3. Whether there are security considerations.

Based on the above considerations, if you want to use a partition greater than 32GB in Win 2000, you can only select the NTFS format. If the computer is used as a stand-alone, do not need to consider security issues, more attention to the compatibility with win 9X, then FAT32 is the best choice. If your computer is a network workstation or more for the security of the system, and can operate in a single Win 2000 mode, it is strongly recommended that all partitions be formatted with NTFS, and that if you want to be compatible with previous applications, you will need to install win 9X or other operating systems and recommend a multiple boot system. This requires more than two partitions, one for the NTFS format, the other for the FAT32 format, and for the fastest speed, it is recommended that Win 2000 's system files be placed on an NTFS partition, and that other personal files be placed in the FAT32 partition.

The recommended use of NTFS is now more popular

Difference file allocation table (FAT) for NTFS and FAT32

A file system for organizing and managing files for MS-DOS and other Windows operating systems. A file allocation table (FAT) is a data structure created by Windows when you use a FAT or FAT32 file system to format a particular volume. Windows stores file-related information in fat for later use when getting files.

FAT32

A file system derived from the file allocation table (FAT) file system. Compared with FAT, FAT32 can support smaller clusters and greater capacity to allocate disk space more efficiently on FAT32 volumes.

NTFS file system

An advanced file system that provides performance, security, reliability, and advanced features that are not available in a variety of fat versions. For example, NTFS ensures volume consistency through standard transaction log functionality and recovery technology. If the system fails, NTFS can use log files and checkpoint information to restore file system consistency. In Windows 2000 and Windows XP, NTFS also provides advanced features such as file and folder permissions, encryption, disk quotas, and compression.

NTFS-formatted XP is highly recommended. Can effectively reduce the use of magnetic chips, effective use of space. High security. This is the advantage. The disadvantage is that you can't see it under normal DOS. See the C-disk real value is D disk. There is the redo system want to format C disk class annoying. But XP can be installed under the system.

FAT32 Advantages and convenience

The difference between NTFS and FAT32 is: NTFS format can extract more than 4G of files, such as the ISO DVD, and someone to make Avi image screenwriter's friend must use the NTFS hard disk format, and one thing is that NTFS hard disk format file fragments are very small! Well, it's just a little bit of data flow, In DOS also can enter the NTFS hard disk, with NTFS hard disk DOS on it! The only thing is to use an IIS virtual server to support ASP some problems are best not to use NTFS hard disk format for IIS, anything else.

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