FAT32's main advantage for a long time was its better compatibility with non-Windows operating systems. NTFS has a higher maximum file size, and better read/write speeds, but for a time only worked properly with Windows, and was difficult to get working on Mac and Linux platforms. Support for NTFS in these other platforms has increased over the years however, so FAT32 doesn't really have a clear advantage anymore.
For small drives such as USB flash drives and SD cards however, FAT32 is still a great option, as it's maximum file size of 4GB won't matter, and it will still have a slight edge in terms of compatibility with other devices that may not support NTFS (e.g. TVs and game consoles).
FAT32 can be used by more operating systems then NTFS. In order to use NTFS the computer must be formatted with the NTFS file system. NTFS systems are able to read both NTFS and FAT32. FAT32 systems cannot read NTFS.
Encryption is available in the NTFS file system but not in FAT32 primarily due to the advanced features and capabilities of NTFS. NTFS was designed with security and permissions in mind, allowing for individual file encryption through the Encrypting File System (EFS). In contrast, FAT32 is a simpler file system that lacks the structure needed to support such security features, focusing instead on broader compatibility and ease of use across different operating systems. As a result, FAT32 does not include built-in encryption capabilities.
No NTFS is the only file system capable of encryption
Win2K is based on the same file system called as NTFS as of NT. But Win2K can also be set up using FAT32 file system a predecessor of NTFS. NTFS allows us to use long file names and is much faster than FAT32 file system.
NTFS is the file system that windows XP uses; I know that much. NTFS can handle bigger files than FAT32. FAT32 can handle 2GB files maximum. (So I'm told)
No, FAT32 does not support more file formats than NTFS. In fact, NTFS is a more advanced file system that supports larger file sizes, more file types, and additional features like file permissions, encryption, and journaling. FAT32 is limited to a maximum file size of 4 GB and has a maximum volume size of 8 TB, while NTFS can handle much larger files and volumes. Thus, NTFS is generally more versatile and capable than FAT32.
NTFS (New Technology File System) FAT (File Allocation Table)
Encryption is available in the NTFS file system because it supports advanced security features, including file permissions and access control, which are essential for managing encrypted data. NTFS is designed for use in environments requiring high security and data integrity, while FAT32 is a simpler file system that lacks these advanced features. Consequently, FAT32 does not provide the necessary infrastructure to implement encryption effectively.
NTFS
Windows 2000 supports three primary file systems: FAT32 (File Allocation Table 32), NTFS (New Technology File System), and CDFS (Compact Disc File System). FAT32 is commonly used for compatibility with older systems and devices, while NTFS offers advanced features like security permissions, compression, and large volume support. CDFS is used for reading data from CD-ROMs. NTFS is the preferred file system for Windows 2000 due to its robustness and features.
NTFS has many more attributes available, over 32,000 possible.
Microsoft Office does not care about the file system at all. It can be run on any file system that compatible versions of Windows runs on (FAT32 and NTFS for XP, and just NTFS for Vista).