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Resize the Master File Table and prevent fragmentation
The Master File Table (MFT) contains specific information about each folder and file on your hard disk (such as date of creation, parameters etc.). To prevent fragmentation, the NTFS reserves exactly 12.5% of your hard disk capacity for the MFT. However, when your free disk space is low, XP writes those files directly into the MFT. Additionally, small files are automatically stored in the MFT. Both factors lead to a certain degree of fragmentation which is why we recommend to increase the MFT:
1. Click on Start/Run and enter cmd. Confirm with OK.
2. Enter the command fsutil behavior set mftzone x whereas x is replaced by values ranging from 1 to 4. Description:
1 = 12,5% of your hard disk capacity
2 = 25% of your hard disk capacity
3 = 37,5% of your hard disk capacity
4 = 50% of your hard disk capacity
The larger the MFT is, the lower are the chances of fragmentation. However, the MFT might take up more free disk space!
Disable the support for old 8+3 filenames
The support for old 8+3 filenames (such as oldfilen.txt from DOS and Windows 3.x times) causes NTFS to store each file internally as a 8+3 entry in the file system database. This causes a loss of performance and should be disabled using the fsutil behavior set disable8dot3 1 command. Warning: If you encounter problems with 16-Bit aplications you should consider reversing the effect using the „fsutil behaviour set disable8dot3 0 command.
Dont save the last access date for each file
Each folder and file inherits the attribute Last Access. It shows when a file or folder has been accessed or changed. Dies time stamp is written directly into your main memory and then onto your hard disk twice (to the file itself and the MFT). This also causes a delay in NTFS response times. To disable it, use the „fsutil behavior set disablelastaccess 1 command and confirm with Enter.
We hope that you were able to optimize your NTFS performance and finally leave the old FAT systems behind!.
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