Windows File System

Windows File Protection

In versions of Windows prior to Windows 2000, installing software in addition to the operating system might overwrite shared system files such as dynamic-link libraries (.dll files) and executable files (.exe files). When system files are overwritten, system performance becomes unpredictable, programs behave erratically, and the operating system fails.

In Windows 2000 and Windows XP, Windows File Protection prevents the replacement of protected system files such as .sys, .dll, .ocx, .ttf, .fon, and .exe files. Windows File Protection runs in the background and protects all files installed by the Windows Setup program.

Windows File Protection detects attempts by other programs to replace or move a protected system file. Windows File Protection checks the file’s digital signature to determine if the new file is the correct Microsoft version. If the file is not the correct version, Windows File Protection either replaces the file from the backup stored in the Dllcache folder or from the Windows CD. If Windows File Protection cannot locate the appropriate file, it prompts you for the location. Windows File Protection also writes an event to the event log, noting the file replacement attempt.

By default, Windows File Protection is always enabled and allows Windows digitally signed files to replace existing files. Currently, signed files are distributed through:

Windows Service Packs
Hotfix distributions
Operating system upgrades
Windows Update
Windows Device Manager/Class Installer

Windows File System

Before formatting a volume or partition, consider the file system with which to format it. Windows 2000 and Windows XP support the NTFS file system, File Allocation Table (FAT), and FAT32. NTFS is the recommended file system for Windows 2000 and Windows XP because it supports several features that the other file systems do not, such as file and folder permissions, encryption, large volume support, and sparse file management. However, you must format the volume or partition as FAT if you plan to access files on that volume or partition from other operating systems, including MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, and Windows NT 4.0.

Choose NTFS only if you are running Windows 2000 or Windows XP and you want to take advantage of NTFS features.

The following features are unique to NTFS:

Compression
Disk quotas
Encryption
Mount points
Remote storage

In addition, NTFS is required on all dynamic disks and GUID partition table (GPT) disks.

 

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