Cover of Inside the Windows NT file system

Inside the Windows NT file system

by Helen Custer · first published 1994

5mentions
1recommended by
2HN commenters
2018–2026first – last mentioned

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The NT File System (NTFS) is a new file system with advanced capabilities, created specifically for use with the Microsoft Windows NT operating system. In this book Helen Custer, author of the bestselling Inside Windows NT, provides an inside look at the design of the unique new file system.

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What Hacker News says

  • p_ing · Feb 7, 2026 · Recommends

    …on GitHub if you want to dive that deep. I would assume much of that code should still be relevant today. Also worth tracking down a copy of the NT OS/2 Design Workbook on the web (another leak). And Inside the Windows NT File System by Helen Custer is a very short book but describes the very early state of NTFS capabilities/functions.

    on “Microsoft open-sources LiteBox, a security-focused library OS” ↗
  • bediger4000 · Aug 1, 2018 · Mentions

    …DEC had such a weird deal with Microsoft, and why there was an Alpha AXP port of NT long after all other architectures went by the wayside. As far as credibility of this rumor, if you have a copy of "Inside the Windows NT file system" (https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Windows-NT-File-System/dp/1556...) by Helen Custer, you'll see a more than passing resemblance of NTFS to ODS-2, the on-disk layout of VMS filesystem. G. Pascal Zachary…

    on “Windows NT and VMS: The Rest of the Story (1998)” ↗
  • p_ing · Mar 2, 2025 · Mentions

    …Kernels: https://youtu.be/HdV9QuvgS_w And I'm sure you've picked up a copy of Windows Internals. Right now I'm waiting for a copy of Inside Windows NT which is the first edition of that series as well as Inside the Windows NT File System, both by Helen Custer.

    on “The early days of Linux (2023)” ↗
  • p_ing · Feb 6, 2026 · Mentions

    NTFS uses atomic transactions, that's the only way it has the ability to recover after a fault. You can read more if you wish in 'Inside the Windows NT File System' by Helen Custer, page 15.

    on “Microsoft open-sources LiteBox, a security-focused library OS” ↗
  • p_ing · Apr 24, 2025 · Mentions

    Got a copy sitting right next to me! Along with Inside The Windows NT File System (and The Design and Implementation of the 4.4 BSD Operating System). 'Windows Internals' series is the successor to Inside Windows NT.

    on “MinC Is Not Cygwin” ↗

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