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).
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.
Question types you will see
Each type: how to recognise it, the method step by step, and one question to try.
FAT32 / NTFS / exFAT limits
'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.
A 16-GB pen drive formatted as FAT32 refuses a 6-GB movie file because —
Show solutionHide solution
FAT32 cannot store any single file larger than 4 GB (minus 1 byte). Reformat the drive as exFAT or NTFS to carry the movie.
Wildcards in file search
'*.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.
In a Windows search, what does the pattern file?.txt match?
Show solutionHide solution
Any name of exactly five letters starting with 'file' — file1.txt, fileA.txt — because ? replaces exactly one character. The * would replace any number.
Extension ↔ file-type matching
'.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.
The file extension .exe marks a file as —
Show solutionHide solution
An executable program — double-clicking it runs the code. That is also why email attachments ending in .exe are treated as dangerous.
Formatting and disk housekeeping
'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.
Formatting a hard disk primarily —
Show solutionHide solution
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.
Shortcuts that save time
FAT32 cannot hold a single file bigger than 4 GB - the classic exam line. NTFS breaks that wall and adds security permissions + journaling.
A 5-GB video won't copy to a FAT32 pendrive because?
Show solutionHide solution
FAT32 limits file size to 4 GB; use NTFS/exFAT.
In Windows search, ? masks exactly one character and * masks any number: *.docx finds all Word files, s?t finds sat/set/sit.
Wildcard for 'any number of characters' in file search?
Show solutionHide solution
The asterisk *.
Mistakes to avoid
Where most students lose marks on this subtopic.
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.
Quick revision
Read this the night before the exam.
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.
Practice: 15 questions
Sets of 10, mixed across the question types above. Every answer has a step-by-step explanation.
Topic test · 10 questions
Suggested time 4 min · wrong answers go to your mistake notebook automatically.