Windows 2000 Professional offers more efficient file storage, improved file system support, and secure user access to information and resources.

File Management Enhancements
Windows 2000 Professional provides significant enhancements to file management capabilities. Features that enhance file management in Windows 2000 Professional include:
- NTFS file system. Supports file encryption, and enables you to add disk space to an NTFS volume without having to restart the computer. It also supports distributed link tracking, and per-user disk quotas to monitor and limit disk space use.
- FAT32 file system. Supports the FAT32 file system for compatibility with Windows 95 Operating System Release (OSR) 2 systems and later. FAT32 is an enhanced version of the FAT file system for use on disk volumes larger than 2 gigabytes (GB).
- Disk Defragmenter utility. Rearranges files, programs, and unused space on your computer's hard disk so that programs run faster and files open more quickly.
- Backup utility. Helps to protect data from accidental loss due to hardware or storage media failure. The backup utility in Windows 2000 allows you to schedule backups that will occur automatically, without having to use a command-line scheduling utility. You can back up data to a variety of storage media, such as:
- Tape drives.
- External hard disks.
- Zip drives.
- Recordable CD-ROMs.
- Logical drives.
- Volume mount points. Allows you to mount a local drive, partition, or volume at any empty folder on a local NTFS-formatted partition or volume.

Security Features
Windows 2000 Professional is the most secure Windows desktop operating system, either as a stand-alone computer, or in any type of public or private network. Security features and enhancements in Windows 2000 Professional include:
- Kerberos version 5 protocol. Allows users to log on only once to gain access to network resources, providing faster authentication and faster network response. The Kerberos v5 protocol is an Internet security standard authentication protocol and the primary security protocol for domains in Windows 2000.
- Encrypting File System (EFS). Strengthens security by encrypting files on your hard disk so that no one can access them without using the correct password.
- Internet Protocol Security (IPSec). Encrypts Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) traffic to secure communications within an intranet and provide the highest levels of security for VPN traffic across the Internet.
- Smart card support. Enables portability of credentials and other private information between computers at work, at home, or on the road. This eliminates the need to transmit sensitive information, such as authentication tickets and private keys, over networks.
- Secondary Logon Service. Allows you to launch applications by using a different user account than the account that was used to log on to the system. This allows administrators to log on with a normal user account and launch administrative tools by using a trusted administrator account, without having to log off and then log on with the administrator account.