Various File Systems Used by The Different Versions Of Windows

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Windows compatibility
Data and file volumes limitations
Security
File systems performance capability
Conclusion
References

Introduction

In computing, files containing data have to be organized and stored in a manner that makes them easy to access (Russinovich, Solomon & Ionescu, 2009). Windows file system describes the method of organizing and storing files in any operating system. File systems used by various versions of windows fall into two broad categories, namely, File Allocation Table (FAT) file systems and New Technology File Systems (NTFS).

FAT file systems come under three versions. These are FAT12, FAT16, and FAT32 (Microsoft Tech Net). FAT12 is the earliest version of FAT file system. It has a much smaller file volume capacity and a lower speed of operation. Given the limitations of FAT12, Microsoft developed FAT16 to replace FAT12. FAT16 has an increased file volume capacity and speed of operation in general, but still its operation speed decreases with every increase in file volume (Russinovich, Solomon & Ionescu, 2009) making FAT32 the most efficient of all FAT file systems. FAT32 is a more advanced FAT file system that permits further increase in file volume. This essay will only focus on FAT16 and FAT32 because FAT12 is obsolete. In general, FAT file systems can only support a limited volume of data and has much lower operation speed when handling large volumes of data (Microsoft Tech Net). FAT file systems, however, have a wide range of Windows compatibility, but poor in file security (Microsoft Tech Net).

NTFS is a more advanced file system from Microsoft to provide security and large data volumes solutions that FAT file systems does not address. New Technology File Systems are more appropriate for handling large volumes of data and at the same time ensuring security of data.

Whereas both FAT and NTFS file systems have some notable differences as has already emerged, they also have some similarities, though minimal. This essay, therefore, seeks to explore the similarities and differences between these file systems as discussed below.

Windows compatibility

FAT and NTFS file systems differ a great deal in terms of Windows compatibility (Microsoft Tech Net). NTFS file systems have a limited range of Windows compatibility only attuned to Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP. FAT file systems, in contrast, have a wider range of Windows compatibility. FAT32 is compatible with Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows2000, and Windows XP. FAT16 is compatible with all versions of Microsoft Windows including DOS.

Data and file volumes limitations

Windows file systems also vary depending on data and file volumes. Whereas both NTFS and FAT32 file systems have a nearly unlimited maximum file volume with a bigger data volume capacity of two Terabytes, FAT16 can only accommodate a limited maximum file volume of approximately 65000 with a data volume of two Gigabytes (Microsoft Tech Net).

Apart from file volume, file systems also vary depending on file size and clusters number. NTFS file systems nearly have unlimited file size and cluster numbers, while FAT file systems are limited by file size and cluster numbers. FAT32 has a small maximum file size of only four Gigabytes with maximum clusters number of 268435456 (Microsoft Tech Net). FAT16, on the other hand, has a much smaller file size of two Gigabytes with maximum clusters number of 65535 (Microsoft Tech Net).

Windows file systems also vary depending on the maximum length of file name. Whereas both NTFS versions and FAT32 file system can accommodate a file name of up to 255 characters long, FAT16 can only accommodate a standard file name length of 8.3 characters (Microsoft Tech Net).

Security

Security also plays a major role in denoting the contrast between different versions of Windows file systems. Whereas NTFS file systems have built-in security that restricts access and alteration of stored data, FAT file systems lack this important attribute (Russinovich, Solomon & Ionescu, 2009). NTFS file systems also permit recovery of data in case of alterations unlike FAT file systems.

File systems performance capability

FAT and NTFS file systems also contrast in terms of their speed of operation. NTFS file systems have low speed on small data volumes, but high on large data volumes (Giampaolo, 1999). FAT, in contrast, are much faster on small volumes of data, but slow on large volumes of data. Apart from speed of operation, Windows file systems also vary depending on their ability to use disc space. NTFS file systems have a maximum disk space economy, which is attributed to their ability to compress files. NFTS file systems are also more reliable in that they have enhanced fault tolerance compared to FAT file systems. However, FAT file systems are limited in their maximum disk space economy. FAT32 has only average disc-space economy and minimal fault tolerance. FAT16 has an inadequate disc space on large data volumes and an average fault tolerance.

Conclusion

After this comprehensive assessment, of both NTFS and FAT file systems, I can conclude that both FAT32 and NTFS file systems have very limited similarities but many differences. FAT file systems are poor in security and file volumes but have a wide range of Windows compatibility. NTFS file systems, in contrast, have enhanced file security and unlimited file volumes but have a restricted Windows compatibility. These features should therefore guide the choice of any file system.

References

Giampaolo, D. (1999). Practical File System Design with Be File System. New York: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers. Web.

Microsoft Tech Net. File System. Web.

Russinovich, M., Solomon, D. A. & Ionescu, A. (2009). “File Systems”. Windows Internals (5th ed.). Bellevue: Microsoft Press.

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