Which characteristic distinguishes ext4 file system from previous versions?

The characteristic that distinguishes the ext4 file system from its predecessors is its support for larger file sizes and volumes. While previous versions of the ext file system, like ext2 and ext3, had limitations on file and volume sizes (with ext3 supporting a maximum file size of 2 TB and a volume size of 32 TB), ext4 significantly increases these limits. It allows for single files up to 16 TB in size and volumes up to 1 exabyte, greatly enhancing its capabilities for managing large amounts of data. This advancement makes ext4 particularly well-suited for modern applications and systems that require robust file storage solutions.

The other options do not accurately reflect the defining features of ext4. For instance, while it can support multiple partitions, this is not a distinguishing feature unique to ext4, as previous versions also allowed multiple partitions. Compatibility with Windows systems is not a characteristic of ext4, as it is primarily a Linux-based file system and does not natively interface with Windows without special software. Native encryption is a feature that has gained focus in various file systems, but ext4 does not offer built-in encryption as a default capability, distinguishing it from some other modern file systems.