NTFS

NTPermissions

Sparse_file_(en)

One_Petabyte_of_Files_(Windows_10_Professional)

NTFS (New Technology File System) is a proprietary file system developed by Microsoft. It was introduced in 1993 with the release of Windows NT 3.1 and has since become the primary file system for Microsoft's Windows NT family of operating systems.

History[edit | edit source]

NTFS was created to address the limitations of the FAT file system and to provide advanced features such as improved support for metadata, advanced data structures, and enhanced security through access control lists (ACLs). It was designed to be a more robust and scalable file system, capable of handling large volumes and files.

Features[edit | edit source]

NTFS includes several key features that distinguish it from other file systems:

**Metadata**: NTFS uses a Master File Table (MFT) to store information about files and directories, allowing for efficient file management and retrieval.
**Security**: NTFS supports file-level security through ACLs, enabling administrators to set permissions for individual users and groups.
**Compression**: NTFS includes built-in support for file compression, allowing users to save disk space by compressing files and directories.
**Encryption**: The Encrypting File System (EFS) feature allows users to encrypt files and directories to protect sensitive data.
**Journaling**: NTFS uses a journaling system to keep track of changes to the file system, helping to prevent data corruption and improve reliability.
**Disk Quotas**: NTFS supports disk quotas, allowing administrators to limit the amount of disk space that users can consume.
**Sparse Files**: NTFS supports sparse files, which allow for efficient storage of large files with empty data blocks.
**Reparse Points**: NTFS supports reparse points, which enable advanced file system features such as symbolic links and volume mount points.

Structure[edit | edit source]

NTFS uses a hierarchical structure to organize files and directories. The MFT is the central database that contains information about every file and directory on the volume. Each entry in the MFT includes metadata such as the file name, size, timestamps, and security information.

Compatibility[edit | edit source]

NTFS is fully supported by all modern versions of the Windows operating system. However, compatibility with other operating systems is limited. Some Linux distributions and macOS can read NTFS volumes, but write support may require additional software or drivers.