NTFS File Attributes and File Movement
One of the primary things Microsoft expects you to understand for the certification exam is what happens to file attributes under a number of file movement circumstances. For example, if a file is moved from one NTFS drive to another, does it retain its original security attributes or inherit the new location’s security attributes?
This table explains how file security attributes survive after copies and moves:
| Action | Result |
| Copying within a NTFS partition | Creates a new file resembling the old file. Inherits the target folder’s permissions. |
| Moving within a NTFS partition | Updates directory pointers for file – does not create a new file. Retains original file parameters and security permissions. |
| Copying/Moving within a FAT partition | FAT does not have file level security, so no permission changes apply. |
| Copying/Moving from a NTFS partition to a different NTFS partition | Creates a new file on the target partition resembling the old. Deletes the old file. Inherits the target folder’s security permissions. |
| Copying/Moving from a NTFS partition to a FAT partition | Creates a new file resembling the old. Deletes the old file. Loses any compress/encryption/security permissions. |
| Copying/Moving from a FAT partition to a FAT partition | Creates a new file resembling the old. Deletes the old file. FAT does not have file level security, so no permission changes apply. |
| Copying/Moving from a FAT partition to a NTFS partition | Creates a new file resembling the old. Deletes the old file. Inherits the permissions of the target folder. |
