Modern versions of Windows use the New Technology File System (NTFS). Before that, it was the FAT16/FAT32 (File Accocation Table) and HPFS (Hight Performance File System). FAT partions are still used on USB devices or MicroSD cards.
NTFS is a journaling file system, meaning that it can automatically repair the folders/files on disk using information stored in a log file. NTFS also allows you to set permissions that grand/deny access to files and folders. Permissions are:
- Full controls
- Modify
- Read & Execute
- List folder contents
- Read
- Write
NTFS also has Alternate Data Streams (ADS). ADS allows files to have more than one stream of data.
This usually contains the Windows OS. System environment variable for the Windows directory is %windir%.
The System32 folder holds the important files that are critical for the operating system.
lusrmgr.msc - access to Local User and Group Management
compmgmt - utility that controls System Tools, Storage, and Services and Applications.
resmon - Resource monitor
hostname - computer name
whoami - logged in user
ipconfig - shows network address settings for the computer
/? - retrieve help manual for a command
cls - clear screen
netstat - displays protocol statistics and current TCP/IP network connections
net - used to manage network resources
regedit - windows register