In windows, there are three types of File System: FAT, FAT32 and NTFS.
Each of them has his own characteristics.
|
Chars FS
|
OS Supported |
Maximum File Name |
Maximum Disk Partition |
Security |
Dual Boot |
|
FAT
|
MS-DOS, Win95, Win98, WinNt, Win2000 (professional/server/Advanced server), WinXP, Win2003, Or later |
11 |
2G |
N |
Y |
|
FAT32 |
Win95, Win98, WinNt, Win2000 (professional/server/Advanced server), WinXP, Win2003, Or later |
128 |
32G |
N |
Y |
|
NTFS |
WinNt, Win2000 (professional/server/Advanced server), WinXP, Win2003, Or later |
256 |
Not limited |
Y |
N |
FAT is a 16-bit file system.
FAT32 is a 32bit file system.
NTFS is new technology File system.
Disk partitions that have FAT or FAT32 configured can be converted to an NTFS disk partition. But the opposite road is not applicable.