File Systems

Understanding the differences between file systems is important to configuring a system that best meets the needs of your organization. Use this Quick Guide to find information about the file systems available to users of Windows 2000 and how to implement the new features that are included with NTFS.

 Understand the file systems and new file system features in Windows 2000.

Review the new features included with NTFS and the advantages of FAT32 support. Also, compare file systems details and compatibility issues.

• See Overview of Windows 2000 File System in this chapter.

 Choose a file system.

Determine which file system or file systems provide the maximum benefit for your organization. Compare the relative advantages and disadvantages of each file system supported by Windows 2000, and the features that each offers.

• See File System Comparisons in this chapter.

 Understand the FAT file system.

FAT32 offers enhanced features over FAT16. Review detailed information about these file systems, including the structure of FAT volumes, to determine whether they meet your needs.

• See FAT in this chapter.

 Understand the NTFS file system.

The version of NTFS included with Windows 2000 offers several enhancements over previous versions of NTFS, as well as features not available with FAT. Review detailed information about NTFS, including the structure of NTFS volumes, to determine whether this file system best meets your needs.

• See NTFS in this chapter.

 Understand the Compact Disc File System (CDFS).

Review the requirements for formatting CD-ROMs for use with Windows 2000.

• See Compact Disc File System in this chapter.

 Understand the Universal Disk Format (UDF).

UDF is supported in Windows 2000 for use with removable disk media. If you are using removable media for data storage, review the details about UDF to determine whether it meets your needs.

• See Universal Disk Format in this chapter.

 Review how Windows 2000 treats long and short file names.

Windows 2000 creates short (8.3) file names to provide MS-DOS compatibility. Review how these short file names are created and how to view the short file names created for files.

• See Using Long File Names in this chapter.

 Use file system tools to manage files and folders on NTFS volumes.

Use the command-line tools included with Windows 2000 and the Microsoft Windows 2000 Resource Kit to manage files and folders; edit access control lists (ACLs); compress and uncompress files and folders; convert FAT volumes to NTFS; review disk space usage; and mount local volumes onto other volumes.

• See File System Tools in this chapter.