Software & Operating Systems
🔒 Log in to trackFile systems and file management
🔒 Log in to trackA file system defines how an OS names, stores and retrieves files on a volume.
| File system | Used by | Key facts |
|---|---|---|
| FAT32 | Windows 9x, pendrives | Max file size 4 GB (minus 1 byte); max volume ~32 GB (Windows format limit); no permissions/journaling |
| exFAT | Flash drives, cameras | Removes FAT32's 4-GB file limit; lightweight |
| NTFS | Modern Windows | Journaling (crash-safe), file/folder permissions/encryption, huge files, compression; default for Windows installs |
| ext4 | Linux | Journaling; default on many distros |
| APFS | macOS/iOS | Snapshots, encryption |
File management terms: file (named collection of related data), folder/directory (container), path (drive:\folders\file.ext), file name + extension (name.type), attributes (read-only, hidden, archive, system), wildcard characters ? (one character) and * (any characters) used in searches. Format = preparing a disk with a file system (erases the directory, not physically shredding data).
Detailed notes
What a file system does
A file system is the OS's rulebook for a disk: how files are named, stored in folders, found again, and protected. When you 'format' a drive, you are writing that rulebook onto it.
The three file systems exams test
| File system | Best for | Single-file limit | Extra points |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAT32 | Pen drives, memory cards, maximum compatibility | 4 GB (minus 1 byte) | No permissions, no journaling; Windows formats volumes only up to 32 GB in it |
| exFAT | Big flash drives, cameras | Practically unlimited | Built to remove FAT32's 4-GB wall |
| NTFS | Windows system drives (default since XP) | Enormous (far beyond real disks) | Permissions, journaling (crash recovery), encryption, huge volumes |
The single most asked line: a file bigger than 4 GB will not copy into FAT32 — use exFAT or NTFS. Full forms: FAT = File Allocation Table; NTFS = New Technology File System.
File names and extensions
A file name has two parts: name.extension — e.g. report.docx. The extension tells the OS which program opens it.
| Extension | File type | Extension | File type |
|---|---|---|---|
| .txt | Plain text | .docx | Word document |
| .xlsx | Excel workbook | .pptx | PowerPoint show |
| Portable Document | .jpg/.png | Images | |
| .mp3 / .wav | Audio | .mp4 | Video |
| .zip | Compressed archive | .html | Web page |
| .exe | Executable program | .bat | Batch (command) file |
Forbidden characters in Windows file names: \ / : * ? " < > | — a name like report:final.docx is rejected.
Wildcards in search
- ? masks exactly one character: file?.txt finds file1.txt, fileA.txt.
- * masks any number of characters: *.pdf finds every PDF; *report*.xlsx every Excel file containing 'report'.
Paths
- Absolute path — the full address from the drive: C:\Users\Me\notes.txt
- Relative path — the address from the current folder: ..\notes.txt
Copy, move and delete — the housekeeping trio
- Copy leaves the original in place and creates a duplicate at the destination (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V).
- Move (cut, Ctrl+X) shifts the file — the original disappears.
- Delete sends the file to the Recycle Bin; restoring brings it back. Shift+Delete skips the bin, and files deleted from removable drives usually bypass it altogether.
- A file's Properties (Alt+Enter) shows its size, dates and the 'read-only' switch that stops accidental edits.
Quick revision
- FAT32 = 4-GB single-file wall, pendrives; exFAT removes it; NTFS = Windows default with permissions + journaling.
- Formatting lays down the file system; defragmenting reorganises files; cleanup deletes junk.
- ? = exactly one character; * = any number.
- Forbidden name characters: \ / : * ? " < > |.
- .exe = program, .zip = archive, .docx/.xlsx/.pptx = Office trio.
Types of questions asked
Every way this subtopic shows up in exams — how to recognise it, the formula or logic to use, and a solved example.
Type 1: FAT32 / NTFS / exFAT limitsvery common4 practice Q
'Maximum single-file size on FAT32', 'default file system of Windows', 'why will this 6-GB movie not copy to my pendrive', 'which file system supports permissions'.
- FAT32 = 4 GB per file, pendrives, no permissions. exFAT = FAT32 without the 4-GB wall, for big flash drives. NTFS = Windows default, permissions + journaling, huge files.
- Scenario stems ('cannot copy a movie bigger than …') hide the 4-GB FAT32 limit.
- NTFS = New Technology File System; FAT = File Allocation Table.
Example: A 16-GB pen drive formatted as FAT32 refuses a 6-GB movie file because —
FAT32 cannot store any single file larger than 4 GB (minus 1 byte). Reformat the drive as exFAT or NTFS to carry the movie.
Type 2: Wildcards in file searchvery common4 practice Q
'*.pdf will find…', 'which wildcard matches exactly one character?', 'a pattern to find all Excel files containing report'.
- ? = exactly one character; * = any number (including zero).
- Read the pattern in pieces: *.pdf = name anything + extension pdf.
- Trap options swap the two symbols.
Example: In a Windows search, what does the pattern file?.txt match?
Any name of exactly five letters starting with 'file' — file1.txt, fileA.txt — because ? replaces exactly one character. The * would replace any number.
Type 3: Extension ↔ file-type matchingcommon3 practice Q
'.xlsx is a…', 'which extension is an executable?', '.pdf stands for', 'match the column of extensions and programs'.
- Office trio: .docx (Word), .xlsx (Excel), .pptx (PowerPoint).
- Executable = .exe; batch = .bat; archive = .zip; page = .html; document = .pdf.
- For match-the-columns, pair by the program that opens the file.
Example: The file extension .exe marks a file as —
An executable program — double-clicking it runs the code. That is also why email attachments ending in .exe are treated as dangerous.
Type 4: Formatting and disk housekeepingoccasional2 practice Q
'Formatting a disk means', 'what does defragmentation do', 'which action deletes everything on a drive and prepares the file system'.
- Formatting = laying down a fresh file system on the disk (erasing the file table; a full format also checks the surface).
- Defragmentation = rejoining scattered file pieces; Cleanup = deleting junk.
- Formatting does not increase the disk's capacity — a classic wrong option.
Example: Formatting a hard disk primarily —
Prepares it by laying down a file system so the OS can store and find files (and removes existing file records). It does not enlarge the disk or repair files.
Shortcut tricks
⚡ FAT32's four-wall
FAT32 cannot hold a single file bigger than 4 GB - the classic exam line. NTFS breaks that wall and adds security permissions + journaling.
Example: A 5-GB video won't copy to a FAT32 pendrive because?
FAT32 limits file size to 4 GB; use NTFS/exFAT.
⚡ Wildcards
In Windows search, ? masks exactly one character and * masks any number: *.docx finds all Word files, s?t finds sat/set/sit.
Example: Wildcard for 'any number of characters' in file search?
The asterisk *.
Where students lose marks
Reversing the limits: 4-GB single-file cap belongs to FAT32, not NTFS.
Saying formatting improves disk capacity - formatting only lays down the file system.
Using ? for many characters - ? is exactly one, * is any.
Practice sets — 15 questions
Sets of 10, mixed across the question types above. Each answer comes with a step-by-step explanation.
Topic test · 10 questions
Suggested time 4 min · wrong answers go to your mistake notebook automatically.