FAT32 and NTFS are file systems created for keeping track of files in the hard disk. A file system is a set of logical constructs that dictate how the space on a disk volume is to be utilized. NTFS is more robust and effective simply because of its advanced features and functionalities. FAT, in general, comprises of overly simplistic data structures, hence making operations more time consuming. The functionalities of NTFS are far more over-powering since it makes use of advanced data structures to improve reliability, disk space utilization and overall performance
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Comparison chart
| Both built-in security and recoverability are absent. File compression is not possible. | There is built-in security and recoverability. File compression is one amongst several other features. |
| The Maximum volume size is 32GB for all OS and 2TB for some OS. 4194304 is the maximum file volume. | Maximum volume size is 2TB. Nearly unlimited files can be stored. |
| FAT12 (first version) followed by FAT16 and then FAT32. | NT3.1, NT 3.5, NT3.51 and NT4, NTFSV5.0, NTFSV5.1, NTFSV5.2 and NTFSV6.0 |
| FAT is a widely used computer filesystem architecture used not only on computer systems but also on most memory cards. FAT32 is the most recent one and supersedes its predecessors. | NTFS is the file system that WindowsNT and its later versions including the recent Windows 7uses for storing and retrieving files on hard disk. |
| File Allocation Table | New Technology File System |
