What file system does Windows primarily use?

Windows primarily utilizes NTFS (New Technology File System) as its default file system. NTFS offers several advantages that make it the preferred choice for Windows operating systems, particularly in environments requiring advanced features. These features include support for large file sizes and volumes, improved security through file permissions and encryption, the ability to create disk quotas, and support for journaling, which helps prevent data corruption.

While FAT32 and exFAT are used in some Windows scenarios—such as for removable drives or compatibility with other operating systems—they do not provide the robust set of features that NTFS does. Additionally, HFS+ is primarily associated with macOS and is not natively used by Windows systems. Therefore, NTFS stands out as the file system that best meets the demands of modern Windows operating systems.