File Systems

Question 1

What’s a File System?

Answer 1

A structure used to manage the storing and accessing of files on a system. (File Librarian).

Question 2

What’s the maximum file size storable on a FAT32 system?

Answer 2

4GB - 32 bit is capped at 4GB.

Question 3

What is exFAT commonly found on?

Answer 3

Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT) is often used on flash drives. It can support files larger than 4GB and is compatible across all OSs.

Question 4

Which File System supports file encryption and compression?

Answer 4

APFS (Apple File System) and NTFS - New Technology File System (Windows only) supports both file encryption and compression.

Question 5

Do exFAT, FAT32 file systems support compression?

Answer 5

No. Only NTFS (Windows) and APFS (Apple) support file compression.

Question 6

Which File System (FS) does Linux use?

Answer 6

ext3 or ext4

Question 7

What file system does AndroidOS use?

Answer 7

ext4

Question 8

Which file system do iPads use?

Answer 8

APFS - Apple File System is used by all Apple devices/OSs. It’s optimised for SSD’s.

Question 9

What are File System snapshots?

Answer 9

File restore point/copy of the file system/volume/drive taken at a point in time. NTFS calls them Volume Shadow Copies.

Question 10

What is the maximum partition size of an MBR partition?

Answer 10

2TB per partition (GPT is bigger and better than MBR!)

Question 11

How many partitions can a GPT partition support?

Answer 11

128 partitions of up to 256TB each (in Windows).

Question 12

How many partitions are possible on a MBR drive?

Answer 12

4 Primary Partitions and more extended partitions but you can’t boot from extended partitions!

Question 13

What are two limits MBR partitions have that were increased by the invention of GPT partitions?

Answer 13

The number of partitions MBR style can support (4 partitions maximum). MBR supports extended partitions to increase the partitions but EXTENDED PARTITIONS ARE NOT BOOTABLE!
The maximum size per partition supported by MBR (2TB).

Question 14

Does a quick format of a drive delete existing data stored on it?

Answer 14

No, a quick format creates a new file table but doesn’t write over (Zero) the drive, this data may be recoverable. It also doesn’t check the drive for any corrupted sectors.

Question 15

Which formatting type takes longer?

Answer 15

Full format is a lot slower than quick format but is much better! Deletes all data from drive.

Question 16

Which type of drive formatting would you use diskpart for (in Windows)?

Answer 16

Full formatting of drives (zeroing/deleting all data and checking for bad sectors) is done via diskpart.