NTFS5 vs. FAT32

Making the Choice
Now that you understand the NTFS5 and FAT32 features and the differences between these file systems, you must decide when and where to use them. Although the title of this article seems to pit the two file systems against each other, the truth is that they're complementary. The appropriate choice for a particular volume is fairly straightforward after you consider the intended use of that volume. First, don't ever use FAT32 on a Win2K server because FAT32 doesn't provide the security essential for server disk volumes. Second, only the NTFS5 file system can support the majority of Win2K's advanced OS features, such as AD and Remote Installation Services (RISs). In many cases, you don't need to guess which file system to use because various Win2K dialog boxes inform you that a particular feature requires an NTFS volume.

One somewhat dated argument for using FAT (or FAT32, in the case of Win2K) on server volumes relates to the boot partition. Before Win2K's release, many administrators used FAT on boot partitions because a DOS or Win9x boot disk can easily access and recover FAT volumes in the event of disaster. However, the addition of the Win2K Recovery Console (RC) invalidates this argument. The RC is a special alternative boot selection that you can install on a Win2K system. (To install this option, run winnt32/cmdcons from the Win2K CD-ROM.) You can use the RC to carry out several recovery-related operations on NTFS volumes, such as file copying and renaming. Now that Win2K includes the RC, your best choice of file systems for all Win2K server volumes is NTFS.

Although I generally recommend you use NTFS, you might want to use another file system in certain cases. For example, suppose you maintain a multibooting system that contains another OS (e.g., Win9x, Linux, OS/2, DOS) that requires access to a particular volume. On that volume, you need to use a file system that represents a common denominator between the two OSs. (For more information about useful utilities for multiboot systems, see the sidebar "Fantastic File-System Utilities.") Another valid use for FAT partitions is on system partitions that third-party boot-manager applications use. Several of these utilities require you to install them into a very small FAT volume on the first hard disk. Neither FAT32 (as a result of its 512MB-minimum-size requirement) nor NTFS (because of its high overhead on small volumes and because no third-party boot managers support installation on NTFS volumes) is appropriate, so FAT is the only viable choice.

Table 4 shows you the best file system to choose for your volumes. You can select from several excellent third-party Winternals Software utilities, including NTFSDOS, FAT32 for Windows NT 4.0, and NTFS for Win98, to help you mitigate some of these multi-OS accessibility problems.

Windows 2000's New File Systems Are Winners
Win2K's NTFS5 and FAT32 help the OS achieve a new level of performance, compatibility, and manageability. NTFS5 also provides the backbone for many of Win2K's best new features. After you understand these file systems' features, internal capabilities, and limitations, and learn which file system to use for certain scenarios, you can better plan and manage your Win2K disk volumes.