Faster Performance

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Windows 2000 incorporates architectural changes that provide smoother multitasking and better support for large-memory and multiprocessor systems. Most users will see improved response times as a result of these changes.

In addition, the system now supports both the FAT32 file system that was popularized by Windows 98 and version 5 of the NTFS file system. (The older FAT16 file system is also supported.) FAT32 enables you to make more efficient use of large hard disks, while retaining full compatibility with Windows 98. NTFS offers numerous advantages, including advanced file security and the ability to automatically encrypt or compress individual files and folders.

As a further performance enhancement, Windows 2000 includes a disk defragmentation utility; it's no longer necessary to purchase a third-party tool for basic disk optimization. The defragmentation program, which you can use with FAT16 and FAT32 as well as NTFS volumes, reorganizes hard disk storage so that files reside on contiguous sectors, thereby improving file-access times.

Chapter 28, "Using NTFS Security," discusses file-system choices in Windows 2000, and Chapter 31, "Optimizing, Maintaining, and Troubleshooting," provides information about disk defragmentation.