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Contains file names and metadata
Located immediately after FAT(s) in FAT12/16 or in a location specified in the FAT32 boot sector
Supports 8.3 names or long file names
New entries are added to the directory using a first-available or next-available strategy
First-available: Finds first unallocated entry in the directory (e.g., Win98)
Next-available: Finds next available entry from the last allocated entry; at end of directory chain, start again at beginning (e.g., WinXP)
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