

It offers better reliability, security, and support for hard disks over 32 gigabytes.
#Ntfs vs fat windows#
NTFS is the recommended file system with Windows XP.

Ok, that is allot of information! What is all this about choices between NTFS and FAT 32 anyway?ĭuring Setup, Windows XP gives you the choice of the Windows NT file system (NTFS) or one of the file allocation table file systems (FAT or FAT32). This leads to inefficiencies in file allocation.Įnglish Interpretation: If your hard drive is larger then 32 GB, use NTFS for best performance.
#Ntfs vs fat free#
Read/write performance with FAT32 is affected because the file system must determine the free space on the disk through the small views of the massive FAT structure. This must be done to calculate the amount of free space when the volume is mounted. Boot time with FAT32 is increased in hard drives larger then 32 GB because of the time required to read all of the FAT structure.Such capabilities are not available on either FAT16 or FAT32Įnglish Interpretation: Microsoft highly recommends you choose NTFS NTFS, which was originally introduced with Microsoft Windows NT® 3.1, has always provided advanced file system features such as security, transacted operations, large volumes, and better performance on large volumes. NTFS offers many end-user benefits related to functionality, security, stability, availability, reliability, and performance. What is Microsoft's recommendation on this? NTFS is the recommended file system for computers running the Microsoft Windows XP and Windows .NET Server operating systems.If you don't understand what dual-boot is, or if you do not have very specific reasons to set up a dual boot system, don't do it!! If you do have a dual boot system, and you want to be able to access files on a FAT32 drive, don't use NTFS You will be able to see and access files on the Me/98/95 drive when booting into XP. Also, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me), Windows 98 Second Edition and earlier, and MS-DOS cannot access files on an NTFS volume.Įnglish Interpretation: If you set up a dual boot system, when you boot into your old Win Me/98/95 you will not be able to see or access any of the files on the drive that is NTFS.
#Ntfs vs fat full#
If you run other Windows operating systems on your computer in addition to Windows XP, note the following issues: Only Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows XP have full access to files on an NTFS volume.This behavior does not occur on a clean partition of NTFS.Įnglish Interpretation: It is best to format your hard drive and choose the NTFS file system, instead of converting an existing drive from NTFS without a format.


It is recommended that you use NTFS with Windows XP because of its advanced performance, security, and reliability features.Įnglish Interpretation: When given a choice, choose NTFS since it is more reliable and secure!
#Ntfs vs fat install#
FAT32: I am planning to install Windows XP, so which should I choose?
