An advanced file system that supports file system recovery, large storage media, and object-oriented applications. NTFS also offers enhanced security over the older FAT file system.

An advanced file system that provides performance, security (i.e.,file and folder permissions), reliability, and advanced features that are not found in any version of FAT. For example, NTFS guarantees volume consistency by using standard transaction logging and recovery techniques. If a system fails, NTFS uses its log file and checkpoint information to restore the consistency of the file system. In Windows 2000 and Windows XP, NTFS also provides advanced features such as encryption, Reparse points, Sparse files, USN Journal, and disk quotas. See also: FAT32, File Allocation Table (FAT), File System

Designed exclusively for use with the Windows NT operating system. NTFS helps provide stronger security and more flexible file management methods than does FAT. See also file allocation table (FAT)