The answer is the $MFT (Master File Table) and the $LogFile. These two NTFS deleted file recovery artifacts are the most useful because the $MFT stores a record for every file and directory on the volume, and even after deletion, its entry—including file attributes and data runs—remains intact until overwritten by new data. The $LogFile, meanwhile, logs metadata changes as transactional records, allowing an investigator to replay recent deletions to recover file names and directory structures. On the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI exam, this question tests your understanding of NTFS forensic artifacts and how they differ from file slack or unallocated space; a common trap is choosing the $UsnJrnl (Update Sequence Number Journal) instead, which tracks changes but not the full file record needed for recovery. To remember the pair, think of the $MFT as the file’s permanent address book and the $LogFile as its recent activity log—together, they reconstruct what was removed.
CHFI OS and File System Forensics Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of os and file system forensics. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
During a forensic investigation of a Windows 10 system, you need to analyze the file system to recover deleted files. Which TWO file system artifacts would be most useful for this purpose?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
$LogFile
$LogFile (A) records metadata changes to the NTFS volume, including transactions that can be replayed to recover file names and directory entries for recently deleted files. $MFT (C) contains the master file table entries for every file and directory; even after deletion, the MFT entry often remains until overwritten, allowing recovery of file attributes and data runs.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
$LogFile
Why this is correct
The $LogFile records metadata changes, including deletions; can help reconstruct file history.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
$Boot file
Why it's wrong here
The boot sector contains partition info, not file deletion records.
✓
$MFT (Master File Table)
Why this is correct
The MFT contains file records; even after deletion, the record may remain until overwritten.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
$Volume
Why it's wrong here
The $Volume attribute stores volume information, not file deletion artifacts.
✗
$Bitmap
Why it's wrong here
$Bitmap tracks cluster allocation, not file records; useful for locating free space but not direct file recovery.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the misconception that $Bitmap is the primary artifact for file recovery, but it only shows which clusters are free, not the file names or metadata needed to reconstruct deleted files.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The $LogFile uses a redo/undo log structure (LSN-based) that records every metadata transaction before it is committed to the $MFT; this allows forensic tools to reconstruct file operations even if the $MFT entry is partially overwritten. In NTFS, when a file is deleted, its $MFT entry is marked as 'available' but the resident data (for small files) or data runs (for larger files) remain until the cluster is reallocated, making $MFT analysis critical for recovery. A real-world scenario: after a quick format, the $MFT is reset but $LogFile may still contain residual entries from prior file operations, enabling recovery of recently deleted files.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the CHFI exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CHFI question in full detail.
OS and File System Forensics — This question tests OS and File System Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: $LogFile — $LogFile (A) records metadata changes to the NTFS volume, including transactions that can be replayed to recover file names and directory entries for recently deleted files. $MFT (C) contains the master file table entries for every file and directory; even after deletion, the MFT entry often remains until overwritten, allowing recovery of file attributes and data runs.
What should I do if I get this CHFI question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. You are a forensic investigator responding to an incident on a Windows 10 workstation used by a finance manager. The user reports that a critical spreadsheet containing quarterly budget data was accidentally deleted from the Desktop yesterday at approximately 3:00 PM. The system has been used normally since then, and the user has not emptied the Recycle Bin. You have created a forensic image of the drive using FTK Imager. The Recycle Bin contains a file named 'Quarterly_Budget.xlsx', but it appears to be a shortcut (size 1 KB). The user insists the original file was several megabytes. You need to recover the original file. Which action should you take next?
easy
✓ A.Search the $Recycle.Bin folder on the forensic image to locate the original file data, which may be stored under a different name.
B.Restore a previous version of the Desktop folder from Volume Shadow Copy.
C.Use file carving techniques to recover the file from unallocated space on the Desktop.
D.Check the Recycle Bin on the live system; the file should be there and can be restored.
Why A: When a file is moved to the Recycle Bin on Windows 10, the original file data is not stored in the Recycle Bin itself; instead, a hidden file (with a random name) is created in the `$Recycle.Bin` folder on the volume, and a shortcut (the visible entry) is placed in the Recycle Bin. The shortcut points to the hidden file, which retains the original data. Since the visible entry is only 1 KB, the actual file content must be located in the `$Recycle.Bin` folder under a different name, making option A the correct next step.
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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