If you want to access an NTFS drive across a network, any OS can access the NTFS partition. When installing Windows XP on a hard disk with a volume greater than 32GB, you must use NTFS. (Windows XP can read FAT32 formatted drives/volumes > 32GB, but cannot create/format them as FAT32).
This of course begs the question “Does windows xp use ntfs?”
By default, Windows XP computers come configured with NTFS. Note: You can use important features such as Active Directory and domain-based security only by choosing NTFS as your file system. The NTFS setup program makes it easy to convert your partition to the new version of NTFS, even if it used FAT or FAT32 before.
Windows 2000 and XP include a newer version of NTFS than Windows NT 4.0, with support for a variety of features including Active Directory. By default, Windows XP computers come configured with NTFS. Note: You can use important features such as Active Directory and domain-based security only by choosing NTFS as your file system.
Windows XP supports three file systems for fixed disks: FAT16, FAT32, and NTFS. It is recommended that you use NTFS with Windows XP because of its advanced performance, security, and reliability features. English Interpretation: When given a choice, choose NTFS since it is more reliable and secure!
This of course begs the inquiry “What does NTFS mean in Windows XP?”
The answer is microsoft created NTFS to compensate for the features it felt FAT (File Allocation Table) was lacking. These features include increased fault tolerance and enhanced security. Windows XP’s NTFS has several enhancements over Windows 2000 NFTS (but is compatible with it).
Windows XP only: Today’s USB flash drives are huge, but they come formatted with the FAT32 limit of 4GB files—if you want to format them as NTFS under Windows XP you’ll need a little trick. Windows XP does have the ability to format drives with the NTFS file system, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at.
Can Windows 2000 read NTFS files?
In Windows 2000, you can format a FAT32 volume only up to 32GB. A computer running Windows 2000 or XP can natively access files on an NTFS partition. A computer running Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 4 or later might be able to access some files.
Can Windows 95 read NTFS partitions?
Windows 95, 98, and Me clients cannot read NTFS partitions directly. The ability to read file allocation tables other than the Microsoft FAT or FAT 32 was never built in. This affects you if you choose to dual boot between a Windows 95, 98, or Me operating system and a Windows NT-based operating system, such as NT 4.0, 2000, or XP.
While reading we ran into the question “Can Windows 2000 read FAT32 files?”.
FAT32 A computer running Windows 2000 or XP can natively access files on an NTFS partition. Access is available through MS-DOS, all versions of Windows, Linux, and OS/2. Recommended minimum volume size is approximately 10MB.
What is the best file system for Windows XP?
One of the first choices you have to make when you install (or upgrade to) Windows XP is the file system. This is really an easy choice. There’s only one reason not to choose NTFS; if you need to have an operating system which can’t read NTFS (Win9x, MS-DOS etc.) to be able to access the partition.
Windows XP File System: NTFS. One of the first choices you have to make when you install (or upgrade to) Windows XP is the file system. FAT(32) or NTFS. This is really an easy choice. There’s only one reason not to choose NTFS; if you need to have an operating system which can’t read NTFS (Win9x, MS-DOS etc.) to be able to access the partition.
What is the difference between FAT32 and NTFS?
FAT and FAT32 are similar to each other; FAT32 is designed for larger disks than FAT. The file system that works most easily with large disks is NTFS. This document provides information to help you compare the file systems. NTFS has always been a faster and more secure file system than FAT and FAT32.
Choosing Windows bootable USB NTFS or FAT32 or FATex comes down to size and function. Compare the file system capabilities against the size of your files and operating system. You may also want to consider the default setting for your system. Windows XP bootable USB NTFS or FAT32 or FATex?