The Different Types of File Systems
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The Different Types of File Systems


The three major operating systems, Windows, Apple's iOS, and Linux each have their own file systems.

Windows uses NTFS - or the New Techonolgy File System used by Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 8. Windows 7 allows for files of up to 16.3 terabytes. Windows used to use the File Allocation Table - Windows 95 had FAT32, which allowed for a max file size of 4 GB.

Apple's HFS+ - Hierarchical File System Plus. Apple dropped the original HFS in 2009 with the adoption of Snow Leopard. HFS Plus can handle files up to 8 exabytes, or 8 million TB.

Linux has ext4 - the fourth extended file system, which has the same maximum file size as recent Windows editions - 16.3 terabytes.


Sean O'Shea has more than 20 years of experience in the litigation support field with major law firms in New York and San Francisco.   He is an ACEDS Certified eDiscovery Specialist and a Relativity Certified Administrator.

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