About this tag
The MFT (Master File Table) is a critical component of NTFS file systems in Windows, storing metadata about every file and folder on a volume. Discussions on WindowsForum.com cover MFT fragmentation, which can prevent partition shrinking in Windows Disk Manager, and constant MFT access by System PID 4, which is normal activity. Users also seek native tools to back up the MFT and MBR without third-party software. MFT corruption can cause errors like 'invalid descriptor protection' when booting certain Windows versions. Understanding MFT behavior helps with troubleshooting disk management, defragmentation, and partition resizing.
  1. seekermeister

    Windows 7 System Volume Information

    Something curious that I noticed while defragging my new installation of W7 is that System Volume Information is divided into 5 folders, while the old installation is only divided into two folders, even though far less programs are installed on the new (65GB vs 165GB). As far as I know, this...
  2. B

    Windows 7 blue screen error ntfs

    Hello everyone, I do not know how to explain this thing: I have 2 hard drives from 80 GB on a secondary ide channel and the other of 300 gb on the primary channel. in these 2 hard drives are installed respectively in fat32 windows 2000 and the second hard drive windows xp, vista and...
    • basilico
    • Thread
    • blue screen compatibility disk issues error file system formatting hard drive invalid descriptor master file table mft ntfs operating system partition primary channel secondary channel tech help windows 2000 windows 7 windows vista windows xp
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Windows Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)
  3. poker158149

    Windows 7 Shrinking the primary Windows partition

    I'm trying to shrink my primary Windows partition because I want to create a partition to install Linux Mint on. Well, when I go into the Windows Disk Manager and try to shrink the partition, it doesn't let me shrink it more than 32MB. I need quite a bit more space than that. After a little...
    • poker158149
    • Thread
    • defrag disk management hibernation linux mint mft page file partition system restore third-party apps windows
    • Replies: 7
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  4. P

    Windows 7 Win 7 -Seeking "Real world" recommendation for OS partition size

    I have recently installed W7 Pro 64-bit but I'm still playing around with it. I understand that M$ recommends 20 GB for x64. I would like to give it a generous amount of room to work, but I don't want to go overboard. I have 3.5 GB of system memory but plan to upgrade to up to 4 or 6, so I...
    • Petepc
    • Thread
    • 64-bit acronis true image backup data management disk management file management hard drive memory management mft operating system os installation partition size performance recommendations shadow drive storage system memory user experience windows 7
    • Replies: 4
    • Forum: Windows Upgrade and Installation
  5. D

    Windows 7 Software to backup MBR / MFT

    Hi all.. Just wondering, is there any system tool i can use to backup MBRs / MFTs of NTFS partitions ? I mean not third party tools.
    • dygi
    • Thread
    • backup mbr mft ntfs partition storage windows tools
    • Replies: 7
    • Forum: Windows Software
  6. M

    Windows 7 Constant HDD Access by System PID 4

    This process is constantly accessing and writing to my HD. It will write to the NTFS: Free Space, volume log and MFT. Is this normal activity? I am running Win 7 on a Lenovo X61 Tablet PC. OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Professional Version 6.1.7600 Build 7600 Other OS Description...
    • mjmontario
    • Thread
    • bios core duo free space hardware issues hdd access intel lenovo memory usage mft ntfs operating system page file performance system information system pid tablet troubleshooting virtual memory volume log windows 7
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support