FAT32 or NTFS

[MDFusion]

which will be faster on a 20GB HD and about how much faster? is it noticeable?

 

[JZilla]

Don't think you will notice any difference. Just use NTFS and get the benefit of better security and a solid file structure (think FAT32 is more vulnerable to errors).


EDIT: Wow....Post number 50...Beware Lifers

 

[BFG10K]

NTFS will be faster, especially for folders that contain a lot of files. Then there are also the other numerous benefits that NTFS offers over FAT32 so your decision is pretty much a no-brainer. I'd only keep FAT32 around if I was dual-booting with a non-NT OS.

 

[sechs]

NTFS is generally not noticeably faster at that volume size, but, for about the same performance, you get greater security and a more robust file system that's far less likely to barf and eat your data.

 

[Looney]

Don't think you will notice a difference... but if you have an OS that supports NTFS, then use it!

 

[VBboy]

Doesn't NTFS make encrypted files inaccessible once you uninstall Windows? Read about this in MaximumPC. Also, I like to access my partitions after booting from a regular Dos floppy

 

[TheOmegaCode]

It's all about FAT16 or NTFS 4.0...


*edit*

 

[BFG10K]

Speaking from personal experience I've noticed that NTFS is faster than FAT32 in a wide range of tasks.

Doesn't NTFS make encrypted files inaccessible once you uninstall Windows?

Yeah so either back up your encryption key or don't encrypt them in the first place.

 

[Bulldog13]

Originally posted by: BFG10K
NTFS will be faster, especially for folders that contain a lot of files. Then there are also the other numerous benefits that NTFS offers over FAT32 so your decision is pretty much a no-brainer. I'd only keep FAT32 around if I was dual-booting with a non-NT OS.

 

[Zugzwang152]

Originally posted by: VBboy
Doesn't NTFS make encrypted files inaccessible once you uninstall Windows? Read about this in MaximumPC. Also, I like to access my partitions after booting from a regular Dos floppy

It shouldn't be a problem. All you will need to access them is your generic Administrator account password.

 

[jmatt]

FAT and NTFS performance
http://www.digit-life.com/articles/ntfs/index3.html
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/columns/russel/october01.asp
http://www.thundercloud.net/information-avenue/ntfs-vs-fat32/
http://www.ntfs.com/ntfs_vs_fat.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/tech/storage/ntfs-preinstall.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/...oc/en/choosing_between_NTFS_FAT_and_FAT32.asp
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314463
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310525
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/en/server/help/choosing_between_NTFS_FAT_and_FAT32.htm

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http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314463
Limitations of the FAT32 File System in Windows XP

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http://www.ntfs.com/
NTFS - New Technology File System
designed for Windows NT, 2000, XP

 

[Nothinman]

Doesn't NTFS make encrypted files inaccessible once you uninstall Windows?

Backup your key or don't encrypt any files. XP doesn't automatically encrypt any files for you, you have to enable it manually.

Also, I like to access my partitions after booting from a regular Dos floppy

Get with the times, DOS is dead.

 

[bsobel]

It shouldn't be a problem. All you will need to access them is your generic Administrator account password.

No no no no no You must export your EFS recovery key if your going to reinstall, using the same pw on the admin account won't help.
Bill