Which file system is commonly used by Windows operating systems?

The New Technology File System (NTFS) is the primary file system used by Windows operating systems, starting from Windows NT and continuing through to the current Windows versions. NTFS was designed to overcome the limitations of earlier file systems, such as FAT32, providing enhanced features such as improved performance, security, and reliability.

NTFS supports larger file sizes and volumes compared to older systems, offering features like file permissions, encryption, disk quotas, and journaling, which helps prevent data loss in crashes. These features make NTFS the preferred choice for Windows environments, particularly for modern applications and use cases requiring efficient handling of larger data and complex permissions.

Other file systems mentioned, such as FAT32, EXT4, and HFS+, are associated with different operating systems and have distinct characteristics and use cases. FAT32 is an older file system often used for compatibility with various devices and operating systems, EXT4 is primarily used in Linux environments, and HFS+ is associated with Apple's macOS. However, none of these offer the same advanced functionalities specifically integrated for Windows systems as NTFS does.