What does NTFS stand for?
NTFS stands for New Technology File System. The default Windows file system. It supports file and folder permissions, EFS encryption, compression, journaling and files larger than 4 GB, none of which FAT32 offers. Converting FAT32 to NTFS keeps the data; going back requires a reformat.
NTFS is the standard file system for Windows system drives. It supports permissions on every file and folder, through access control lists, as well as encryption of individual files, compression, disk quotas and very large files and volumes. It keeps a journal of changes, so the file system can be brought back to a consistent state after a crash or power loss. Removable drives often use exFAT or FAT32 instead, because other devices read those more easily, but those formats have no file permissions.
NTFS in practice: an example
A user tries to copy a 6 GB video to a USB stick and gets a message that the file is too large, although the stick has 20 GB free. The stick is formatted as FAT32, which cannot hold a single file of 4 GB or more. Reformatting it as exFAT, or as NTFS if it is only used with Windows, solves it.
What NTFS is confused with
NTFS vs FAT32: what is the difference?
FAT32 works on almost any device but has no permissions, no journal and a maximum file size just under 4 GB. NTFS has all three covered and is the choice for Windows drives.
NTFS vs exFAT: what is the difference?
exFAT is designed for flash drives and memory cards: large files, broad device support, no permissions. NTFS adds security and reliability features for internal drives.
NTFS vs share permissions: what is the difference?
NTFS permissions apply to the file itself, whether it is opened locally or over the network. Share permissions apply only to access through the network share. When both are set, the more restrictive result applies.
Which exams cover NTFS?
NTFS is on the official CompTIA acronym list for one of the four exams covered here.
- A+ 220-1201 and 220-1202: 220-1202 1.0 (Operating Systems); 220-1202 2.0 (Security).
Each number is a CompTIA exam objective and the name in brackets is its domain. The exam puts the term in a scenario; it does not ask you to recite the expansion.
Check yourself: two practice questions
Written by CertSprint for this page. They are not taken from any exam.
1. Which file system should be used on a Windows data drive so that access to individual folders can be restricted per user?
- FAT32
- exFAT
- NTFS
- CDFS
Show the answer
C. NTFS. Only NTFS, of the options listed, stores permissions for each file and folder. FAT32 and exFAT have none.
2. A user has Full Control on a network share, and the NTFS permission on the folder gives the same user Read. What can the user do over the network?
- Full control
- Read only
- Nothing at all
- Delete but not read
Show the answer
B. Read only. When share and NTFS permissions are combined, the more restrictive one wins. Read is the effective permission.
Sources: Microsoft Learn: NTFS overview; Microsoft Learn: Access control lists. The acronym and its expansion come from CompTIA's official acronym lists, linked from each exam glossary above. The explanation, example and questions are CertSprint's own, checked against these sources on 11 November 2026.