Windows Server Filesystems

Windows Server supports several file systems, each designed to meet different requirements for performance, compatibility, and data integrity. These include modern options like NTFS and ReFS, as well as legacy systems like FAT32 and exFAT. The choice of file system depends on the specific use case, such as file sharing, database hosting, or large-scale storage management.

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 * **NTFS (New Technology File System)**  
   [[NTFS]] is the most widely used file system on [[Windows Server]] due to its robust features, including journaling, compression, encryption, and granular file permissions.  
   - **Use Case:** Suitable for general-purpose file servers, enterprise storage, and hosting virtual machines.  
   - **Limitations:** Some compatibility issues with non-Windows systems and a higher resource footprint compared to simpler file systems.  
   *Documentation:* https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/fileio/ntfs
 * **ReFS (Resilient File System)**  
   [[ReFS]] was introduced with [[Windows Server 2012]] to provide improved data integrity, scalability, and performance for large storage volumes. It is designed for scenarios where data resilience is critical, such as virtualized workloads and backups.  
   - **Use Case:** Ideal for large-scale data storage, virtual machine hosting with Hyper-V, and file repositories.  
   - **Limitations:** Does not support certain features like compression and encryption, and not all editions of Windows support ReFS.  
   *Documentation:* https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/refs/refs-overview
 * **FAT32 (File Allocation Table 32-bit)**  
   Although it is primarily a legacy file system, [[FAT32]] is still used for compatibility purposes with older systems and removable drives. It supports partitions up to 2 TB but has a 4 GB file size limit.  
   - **Use Case:** Suitable for small USB drives and external media requiring cross-platform compatibility.  
   - **Limitations:** Limited security features and prone to fragmentation.  
   *Documentation:* https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/fileio/fat32-specifications
 * **exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table)**  
   [[exFAT]] is optimized for flash memory and offers better performance than [[FAT32]] with support for large files and partitions. It is commonly used for USB drives and SD cards in both consumer and enterprise settings.  
   - **Use Case:** Ideal for flash-based storage devices and external drives requiring large file support.  
   - **Limitations:** Lacks journaling and advanced security features like NTFS.  
   *Documentation:* https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/fileio/exfat-overview
 * **CSV (Cluster Shared Volumes)**  
   [[CSV]] is a distributed file system introduced in [[Windows Server 2008 R2]] to support cluster-based applications. It allows multiple nodes in a failover cluster to access the same volume simultaneously, enhancing performance and availability.  
   - **Use Case:** Primarily used in Hyper-V clusters and Scale-Out File Servers for high availability and performance.  
   - **Limitations:** Requires a Windows Failover Cluster and is optimized for specific workloads like Hyper-V and Scale-Out File Server.  
   *Documentation:* https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/failover-clustering/cluster-shared-volumes

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]] | **File System** | **Max File Size** | **Max Partition Size** | **Journaling** | **Use Case** | windows_server_filesystems | ----------------- | ------------------ | ------------------------ | ---------------- | -------------- | windows_server_filesystems | NTFS | 16 EB | 8 PB | Yes | General-purpose servers, enterprise workloads | windows_server_filesystems | ReFS | 16 EB | 4.7 ZB | Yes | Large data storage, Hyper-V workloads | windows_server_filesystems | FAT32 | 4 GB | 2 TB | No | Removable media, legacy compatibility | windows_server_filesystems | exFAT | 16 EB | 128 PB | No | Flash storage, large external drives | windows_server_filesystems | CSV | Varies | Varies | Yes (clustered) | Hyper-V and Scale-Out File Servers | //github.com/relan/exfat --- ==Conclusion== [[Windows Server offers multiple file systems to suit diverse workloads, ranging from general-purpose file sharing with NTFS to high-resilience storage solutions with ReFS. While legacy systems like FAT32 and exFAT remain useful for specific purposes, modern deployments benefit from the scalability and security provided by NTFS, ReFS, and CSV. Choosing the right file system depends on workload requirements, such as the need for large file support, data integrity, security, or cross-platform compatibility.