Let me make it clear, I have no clue what NTFS and FAT32 mean. And I am open
to remaining ignorant if there is no compelling reason for me to know.
As was told to me... the NTFS is faster. Harriet
----------------------------------------
Choosing between NTFS, FAT, and FAT32
You can choose between three file systems for disk partitions on a computer
running You can XP: _NTFS_
(ms-its:C:\WINDOWS\Help\misc.chm::/HELP=glossary.hlp TOPIC=gls_ntfs) , _FAT_ (ms-its:C:\WINDOWS\Help\misc.chm::/HELP=glossary.hlp
TOPIC=gls_file_allocation_table) , and _FAT32_
(ms-its:C:\WINDOWS\Help\misc.chm::/HELP=glossary.hlp TOPIC=gls_fat32) . Use the information below to compare
the file systems.
NTFS is the recommended file system for the following reasons:
* NTFS is more powerful than FAT or FAT32, and includes features
required for hosting _Active Directory_
(ms-its:C:\WINDOWS\Help\misc.chm::/HELP=glossary.hlp TOPIC=gls_activedirectory) as well as other important security
features. You can use features such as Active Directory and domain-based
security only by choosing NTFS as your file system.
* It is easy to convert partitions to NTFS. The Setup program makes
conversion easy, whether your partitions used FAT, FAT32, or the older version
of NTFS. This kind of conversion keeps your files intact (unlike formatting a
partition). If you do not need to keep your files intact and you have a FAT
or FAT32 partition, it is recommended that you format the partition with
NTFS rather than convert from FAT or FAT32. Formatting a partition erases all
data on the partition and allows you to start with a clean drive.
Whether a partition is formatted with NTFS or converted using the convert
command, NTFS is the better choice of file system. For more information about
Convert.exe, after completing Setup, click Start, click Run, type cmd, and
then press ENTER. In the command window, type help convert and then press ENTER.
* In order to maintain access control on files and folders and support
limited accounts, you must use NTFS. If you use FAT32, all users will have
access to all files on your hard drive, regardless of their account type
(administrator, limited, or standard.)
* NTFS is the file system that works best with large disks. (The next
best file system for large disks is FAT32.)
There is one situation in which you might want to choose FAT or FAT32 as your
file system. If it is necessary to have a computer that will sometimes run
an earlier version of Windows and other times run There i XP, you will need
to have a FAT or FAT32 partition as the primary (or startup) partition on the
hard disk. Most earlier versions of Windows cannot access a partition if it
uses the latest version of NTFS. The two exceptions are . The t 2000 and 2000
an NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later. 4.0 w NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4
or later has access to partitions with the latest version of NTFS, but with
some limitations: It cannot access files that have been stored using NTFS
features that did not exist when featur NT 4.0 was released.
For anything other than a situation with multiple operating systems, however,
the recommended file system is NTFS.
Important
* Once you convert a drive or partition to NTFS, you cannot simply
convert it back to FAT or FAT32. You will need to reformat the drive or
partition which will erase all data including programs and personal files on the
partition.
The following table describes the compatibility of each file system with
various operating systems. NTFS FAT FAT32 A computer running A compu XP or or
<NOL 2000 can access files on an NTFS partition. A computer running partit
NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later might be able to access some files. Other
operating systems allow no access. Access is available through Access, all
versions of , all v, , <NOLO NT, NT, 2000, 2000, < XP, and OS/2. Access is
available only through Access 95 OSR2, 95 OSR2 98, 98, <NO Millennium
Edition, Millenn 2000, and 2000, a XP.
The following table compares disk and file sizes possible with each file
system. NTFS FAT FAT32 Recommended minimum volume size is approximately 10
megabytes (MB).
Volumes much larger than 2 terabytes (TB) are possible.
Cannot be used on floppy disks. Volumes from floppy disk size up to 4
gigabytes (GB).
Does not support domains. Volumes from 512 MB to 2 TB.
In In <NOL XP, you can format a FAT32 volume up to 32 GB only.
Does not support domains. File size limited only by size of volume. Maximum
file size is 2 GB. Maximum file size is 4 GB.
Note
* Some older programs may not run on an NTFS _volume_
(ms-its:C:\WINDOWS\Help\misc.chm::/HELP=glossary.hlp TOPIC=gls_volume) , so you should
research the current requirements for your software before converting.
_Related Topics_ (ms-its:C:\WINDOWS\Help\misc.chm::/CHM=misc.chm;
META=a_ntfs;a_convert_to_ntfs_using_command)
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