Does Windows XP require the NTFS file system?
Windows does not require the NTFS file system, but Microsoft recommends using it because of its file security, compression and other features. The operating system also works with the FAT32 and FAT16 file systems, although they have many limitations. Windows XP cannot recognize files larger than 4 GB on FAT32 partitions and 2 GB on FAT16 partitions, for example. Both systems also lack the security features of NTFS.References:NTFS.com: NTFS vs FATMicrosoft: Limitations of the FAT32 File System in Windows XPMicrosoft: NTFS vs.