NTFS is a more sophisticated file system than either FAT or
FAT32. Because NTFS tracks additional attributes, such as quota
information, reparse points, and file and folder permissions, NTFS
typically provides slower access to files and folders on small
volumes (less than 1 GB). On larger volumes, however, the superior
search algorithms used in NTFS often make NTFS faster than either
FAT or FAT32.
To change tje NTFS MFT Zone Reservation, follow the next
steps:
- Open the Registry Editor click on
the Start button on your taskbar, then click on Run
and type "regedit" and click on OK to start the
regedit utility.
- Expand
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem
(see picture 1).
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| Picture 1
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- Under this key there is a setting called
"NtfsMftZoneReservation", the default setting of which is
"1". The range of this value is from 1 to 4. The default
setting reserves one-eighth of the volume for the MFT. A setting of
2 reserves one-quarter of the volume for the MFT. A setting of 3
for NtfsMftZoneReservation reserves three-eighths of the volume for
the MFT and setting it to 4 reserves half of the volume for the
MFT. Most users will never exceed one-quarter of the volume. I
recommend a setting of 2 for most users. This allows for a
"moderate number of files" commensurate with the number of small
files included in most computer games and applications. Reboot
after applying this tweak.
Do one of the following:
- Set the value to 1 to reserve one-eighth of the volume for the
MFT. This is recommended for volumes with relatively few
files.
- Set the value to 2 to reserve one-fourth of the volume for the
MFT. This is recommended for a volume with a moderate number of
files.
- Set the value to 3 to reserve three-eighths of the volume for
the MFT. This is recommended for a volume with a moderate number of
files.
- Set the value to 4 to reserve one-half of the volume for the
MFT. This is recommended for volumes with a large number of
files.
- Restart Windows for the change to take effect.
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