Windows File System
The Windows file system is a hierarchical storage structure used by the Windows operating system to manage data on storage devices.
It supports multiple file systems, each with different capabilities and features designed to enhance security, performance, and compatibility.
| Name |
Descriptions |
| FAT32 [File Allocation Table 32-bit] |
Legacy file system, widely compatible but limited in features.
Maximum file size: 4GB.
No built-in security or encryption features.
Ideal for USB flash drives and external storage requiring cross-platform compatibility. |
| NTFS [New Technology File System] |
Default file system for modern Windows installations.
Supports large files and partitions (up to 16EB in theory).
Built-in file permissions and access control lists (ACLs).
Supports file compression, encryption (EFS), and journaling for data integrity.
Ideal for system drives and large storage solutions. |
| exFAT [Extended File Allocation Table] |
Designed for flash storage [USB drives, SD cards, SSDs].
Supports large files (beyond FAT32 limitations).
Lacks NTFS security features but offers better performance for removable storage. |
| ReFS [Resilient File System] |
Designed for high-resilience storage, primarily used in Windows Server.
Provides built-in error correction and integrity checks.
Supports auto-healing without data loss.
Not widely used in consumer editions of Windows. |
Windows File System Hierarchy
Unlike Linux, Windows does not use a single root directory (/).
Instead, it uses drive letters (e.g., C:\, D:\) to organize file storage.
Structure of a typical Windows file system:
Root Directories [Drive Letters]:
Each storage device is assigned a drive letter (e.g., C:\, D:\).
The C:\ drive is usually the system partition where Windows is installed.
System Directories:
C:\Program Files (x86)\ – Stores 32-bit applications on 64-bit systems.
C:\Program Files\ – Default location for installed applications.
C:\Temp\ – Temporary files used by the OS and applications.
C:\Windows\ – Contains core operating system files.
C:\Users\ – Houses user profiles and personal files.
User Directories:
C:\Users\[Username]\Documents\ – Default location for user documents.
C:\Users\[Username]\Downloads\ – Stores downloaded files.
C:\Users\[Username]\Desktop\ – User’s desktop storage.
C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\ – Stores user-specific application data:
Local\ – Stores temporary and cache files.
LocalLow\ – Used for low-integrity applications.
Roaming\ – Synchronizes settings across multiple devices (if using a domain account).
Hidden and System Files:
C:\hiberfil.sys – Hibernation file storing system state.
C:\$Recycle.Bin\ – Recycle Bin storage for deleted files.
C:\Pagefile.sys – Windows paging file (virtual memory swap).
C:\Windows\System32\ – Critical system files and executables.
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ – Contains 32-bit libraries on 64-bit Windows.
File System Features
Access Control and Security
NTFS uses Access Control Lists (ACLs) for file and folder permissions.
Windows supports encryption via BitLocker and EFS.
Journaling and Data Integrity
NTFS and ReFS use journaling to track file changes and prevent corruption.
ReFS includes automatic error correction and self-healing features.
Compression and Encryption
NTFS supports built-in file compression and encryption via EFS.
Shadow Copies and Backups
Windows Volume Shadow Copy Service [VSS] enables backups and system restore points.
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