Which piece of metadata is NOT stored in the $MFT file of the NTFS file system?

The correct answer regarding metadata not stored in the $MFT (Master File Table) of the NTFS (New Technology File System) is the author's name. The $MFT is a critical component of NTFS that contains detailed information about every file and directory on the file system. This includes various attributes like the creation time, file name, and security descriptor.

The create time captures when the file was first created, providing a timestamp that is essential for file management and tracking changes over time. The file name attribute contains the name of the file, which is fundamental for user interaction and file organization.

A security descriptor is also included in the $MFT, detailing permissions and access control for files and directories, which is essential for managing security for users and processes accessing the data.

However, the author's name is not a standard metadata field within the $MFT. While some file types may store an author’s name within their specific file format or associated metadata elsewhere, such as embedded in documents or applications (like Microsoft Office files), it does not form part of the core attributes maintained in the $MFT itself. Therefore, it is this lack of inclusion that distinguishes the author's name from the other provided attributes.