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I've used NTFS for a long time, and it's always recovered from all power failures, whether induced by me or the power company. I've never lost a file.
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Al Fasoldt's reviews and commentaries, continuously available online since 1983

Have Windows XP? Switch your file system to NTFS for added features


April 21, 2002


By Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2002, Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2002, The Post-Standard

   If you're using Windows XP, I've got good news. You can add an extra measure of stability to your PC in a couple of hours. And it won't cost a cent. All it requires is a change from the standard Windows file system to the one Microsoft created for professional users.
   Most XP computers use the standard Windows file system. It's called FAT32. (In geek-speak, a "FAT" is a list of files, a "file allocation table," while "32" indicates a modern version of Windows, using a so-called "32-bit" method of keeping track of files.)
   FAT32 is in use on millions of Windows PCs around the world. It's OK in most ways, but has no provision for automatic file-fixing when things go wrong. FAT32 is weak in other ways, too. If you start to do serious video editing on a Windows PC, you find out right away that the maximum file size is either 2 gigabytes or 4 gigabytes, depending on the version of Windows you are using. High-quality video recordings can use up that much disk space in a half hour or so.
   Microsoft's heavy-duty file system, NTFS, does much better, and you can easily convert your FAT32 disk to NTFS. File sizes aren't limited (a single file can be as large as the disk space) and NTFS is able to fix itself because it keeps a log of everything going on. (Technically, it's a "journaling file system.")
   NTFS usually won't scramble your files even if someone pulls the plug or if the power gets knocked out down the block. (I've used NTFS for a long time, and it's always recovered from all power failures, whether induced by me or the power company. I've never lost a file.)
   NTFS has only one disadvantage. It might slow down your PC in some operations. The slowdown, when it does happen, isn't much of a hit -- after all, NTFS is taking much better care of your files -- but it could be a problem for those who play a lot of 3D games on an already margin Windows PC. If that describes you or someone in your family, such as your 14-year-old, you might want to avoid NTFS.
   But converting from FAT32 to NTFS is a one-way street. You can't go back without reinstalling Windows XP totally. Make sure you want to do it first.
   To change your file system from FAT32 to NTFS, run the CONVERT program in Windows XP. You'll find a explanation of how to do this on a Microsoft Web site. The site address is tricky, so go to it by typing the code number of the Microsoft document into Google. Type Q307881 convert -- those two words, without quotes. The first hit should be the right Web page.
   (The code number refers to a Microsoft Knowledge Base document. If you're familiar with the Knowledge Base, you can go to the Knowledge Base and search for that document using the code number.)
   FAT32 and NTFS are just two of the file systems Microsoft uses. Everyone who has a Windows PC actually has a third file system available, although in modern computers it's probably not used much. It's FAT12. (You lose two points if you thought I was going to say "FAT16.")
   FAT12 is the file system in DOS and Windows floppy disks. FAT16 is the older hard-drive file allocation system, used only on Windows PCs will small hard drives and on most DOS computers.
   Next: A little-known command that can make Windows XP and Windows 2000 mimic powerful Unix computers.