Max files in a folder

  • Thread starter Thread starter Steve
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Steve

Is there a limit to how many files can exist in a folder?

I have a log folder that contains files 1.log,2.log,...up
to 4000.log and its still growing. Will I reach a system
limit to how many files can exist, or can I continue
adding log files.

I'd perfer to keep these files if possible.

If there is a limit, please tell me how many files this
limit would be.
 
If NTFS in a few centuries you'll reach the limit. If Fat32 somewhere between 32 000 and 64 000
 
Steve said:
Is there a limit to how many files can exist in a folder?

I have a log folder that contains files 1.log,2.log,...up
to 4000.log and its still growing. Will I reach a system
limit to how many files can exist, or can I continue
adding log files.
Click to expand...

It depends on the file system. A FAT32 directory can have up to 65,000
entries. Each file or subdirectory takes at least one entry. If the
file or subdir name doesn't fit the DOS 8.3 model, it will take from 2
to 13 entries.

NTFS does not have a per-directory limit, but there is a per-partition
limit of 4,294,967,295 files.

Look here:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prkc_fil_tdrn.asp
for a discussion of FAT32 and NTFS limits.
 
Steve said:
I have a log folder that contains files 1.log,2.log,...up
to 4000.log and its still growing. Will I reach a system
limit to how many files can exist, or can I continue
adding log files.
Click to expand...

FAT 32 has a limit just under 64000 entries (and it is desirable to keep
under 32000) - bear in mind that any notionally long name will use extra
entries to hold it, one for each 13 characters. Do you *really* want
to retain all these logs on line? I would back them off in the interest
of efficient usage and just keep recent ones that you *might* want to
refer to easily
 
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