Which of the following elements is considered part of the file system?

File metadata is a crucial part of the file system as it provides essential information about the files stored within that system. Metadata includes various details such as file names, sizes, creation and modification dates, permissions, and organization within the directory structure. This information enables the operating system to manage and access files effectively, ensuring that users can retrieve their data quickly and correctly.

In contrast, network configuration pertains to settings related to networking hardware and protocols that determine how devices communicate over a network. Hardware drivers facilitate the interaction between the operating system and hardware components but are not considered a part of the file system itself. User applications refer to the software programs that perform specific tasks for the user, such as word processing or web browsing, but these applications operate at a level above the file system and rely on it for data storage and retrieval.