What is the maximum number of files that a directory can contain on Windows XP?

  • Thread starter Thread starter luther
  • Start date Start date
L

luther

Hi,

We have some external systems that send us data in CSV format.
These CSV files are periodically deposited in a specific directory on
Windows XP server.

Do you know what is the maximum number of files that a directory can
contain on Windows XP?
What happens when this maximum is reached?
Is there some formal documentation about this - that you can point me
to?

Thanks
 
Files per volume:
FAT16 = 2^16
FAT32 = 2^32
NTFS = 2^32-1 (that's four billion files)

Files per directory:
FAT16 = 2^16-2 physical directory entries (affected by long filenames)
FAT32 = 2^16-2 physical directory entries (affected by long filenames)
NTFS = No limit

Also these may help.

Limitations of FAT32 File System (Q184006)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q184006

Windows NT File Size and Partition Size Limits (Q93496)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q93496

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft MVP [Windows NT/2000 Operating Systems]
Microsoft Certified Professional [Windows 2000]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect


:
| Hi,
|
| We have some external systems that send us data in CSV format.
| These CSV files are periodically deposited in a specific directory on
| Windows XP server.
|
| Do you know what is the maximum number of files that a directory can
| contain on Windows XP?
| What happens when this maximum is reached?
| Is there some formal documentation about this - that you can point me
| to?
|
| Thanks
 
(e-mail address removed) (luther) wrote in
Hi,

We have some external systems that send us data in CSV format.
These CSV files are periodically deposited in a specific directory on
Windows XP server.

Do you know what is the maximum number of files that a directory can
contain on Windows XP?
What happens when this maximum is reached?
Is there some formal documentation about this - that you can point me
to?

Thanks
Click to expand...

What Dave posted about file system limits was correct. However you will
run into performance problems long before you could hit the manimum
numbers. Generally when you hit the high 100,000's or the low
1,000,000's you will start to see reduced performance.

Leonard Severt

Windows 2000 Server Setup Team
 
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