NTFS Streams

The Windows 2000–based server uses NTFS streams to store Macintosh-specific file and directory information, Macintosh Finder information, various AFP attributes, and indexing information. The data and resource forks are maintained in two different streams for the corresponding file on the NTFS volume. The data fork stores most of the file's information and is shared between Macintosh and personal computer clients. The resource fork holds the Macintosh operating system resources, such as code, menu, font, and icon definitions. Resource forks, however, have no relevance to personal computers, so the resource forks of files on the server are never accessed by personal computer clients.

FinderInfo, Indexing, and DesktopInfo are also kept as separate NTFS streams that are stored at the root of the volume. The DesktopInfo and Indexing streams are opened when the volume is first initialized. These streams are deleted when the volume is deleted. The FinderInfo stream, which is per file and per directory, is not deleted. Streams associated with the volume root are created when the volume is created.

The Macintosh Finder uses the information in the resource fork of a file to determine what application was used to create the file and what type of file it is. The Macintosh Finder uses this information to display the correct type of icon for the file and to launch the file by using the correct application.

Macintosh files keep some data in a part of the file called a resource fork. The actual file is stored in the data fork. Windows 2000 allows for the creation of these data and resource forks when a Macintosh file is stored on the Windows 2000–based server, so that a Macintosh client can view and launch files from the server.