Metadata

Recall that everything in NTFS is a file. That includes data that the file system uses internally for housekeeping. This data is called metadata. The MFT, for example, is implemented in a file called $Mft that is located in the root of all file systems. Table 4.1 shows the other metafiles used in NTFS 5. 0 volumes.

Table 4.1. NTFS 5.0 Metadata Files
FilenameDescription
$MftPrimary copy of the MFT
$MFTMirrMirror (backup) copy of the MFT
$LogFileTransaction log
$VolumeVolume name and other general information
$AttrDefList of attribute names, internal reference numbers, and descriptions
$.Root folder
$BitmapBitmap of the entire volume showing which clusters are in use and which are free
$BootVolume bootstrap (if bootable)
$BadClusList of the bad ...

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