Difference between NTFS and FAT32

[NDman]

I've re-partitioned my 120Gb drive and did a clean install on WinXP. It's all working fine and dandy (bare minimal stuff installed right now). What is the difference between NTFS and FAT32? I know WinXP must be run on the MTFS, which the system directory is. I have made some other partitions (3 other than the system). What should they be, if they have their own advantages and disadvantages? Should I format the rest of the partitions to NTFS just because?

[Absolute]

FAT32 has a file size limit, I believe it won't allow any files over 4GB in size. A con if you have a DVD ISO image.

[NDman]

FAT32 has a file size limit, I believe it won't allow any files over 4GB in size. A con if you have a DVD ISO image.

Cheers. Is that all the difference? I don't have any intention to download DVD ISO (for now anyway) so technically, it doesn't make a difference for regular Joe's then, no?

[pandaharo]

I think NTFS gives you some additional security features like folder encryption and stuff.

[Suresh]

Fat32 file size limit is 2TB
NTFS file size limit is THEORETICALLY 16exabytes

NTFS allows you to have
- Folder level permissions
- File level permissions
- Share permissions

FAT32 allows only
- Share level permissions

NTFS allows the following
- Auditing
- Better compression
- Better block sizes for less fragmentation on LARGE drives (Fat 32 is better for smaller drives because of the 4kb block size)

Reference articles
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;310525
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;100108

Limitations of FAT32
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;184006

If you want to convert
You can convery from FAT32 to NTFS, but you cannot convert back due to the re-creation of the MFT

[Outsider]

Dude, is it so hard to do a google search on this topic?
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=NTFS+vs+fat32&meta=

There's a billion articles written on this, and most info is geared towards what you need to know.

[J1M]

All you need to know is that NTFS is better and you should use it.

[Suresh]

haters in every possible thread imagineable

[Absolute]

Fat32 file size limit is 2TB
NTFS file size limit is THEORETICALLY 16exabytes

Thanks for the correction, and the detailed description

[Pete Jones]

Fat32 file size limit is 2TB

Not to be nit-picky but that is a drive size of 2TB, not file size. File size is still limited to 4GB.
(this is according to the first Microsoft link cited in your post)

--Pete

[Suresh]

oops. Sorry I meant drive size on BOTH. FAT32 and NTFS. 2tb (2 to 32) and 16exb respectively

[JustMike]

NTFS allows you to have
- Folder level permissions
- File level permissions
- Share permissions

FAT32 allows only
- Share level permissions

This is the result of the filesystem having security- file/directory ownership, and access control list (ACL) support.

With FAT, you get nothing more than "read-only" for security and everybody "owns" every file/directory.

[astrolad]

Don't forget NTFS is a journaling file system which means in layman's terms never having to say you're sorry.....
to your PC when pressing the reset button for fun.

[huskylord]

hmmm I can't remember which one I chose when I installed WinXP on my new machine...what's a quick way to check if you don't mind?

cheers

[astrolad]

hmmm I can't remember which one I chose when I installed WinXP on my new machine...what's a quick way to check if you don't mind?

cheers

Right click on the drive icon in explorer and select properties.