File systems FAT32, exFAT and NTFS - what is the main difference. The difference between FAT and NTFS and exFAT

Did you know that Windows Phone uses NTFS? Why do most memory cards and almost all USB drives still use good old FAT? Why can you store full-length HD movies on some flash drives but not others? Why do some devices only support SDHC memory cards up to 32GB, and what can be done to force them to use 64GB SDXC? These and many other questions are related to the type of file system used by a particular storage device. But how does this relate to Windows?

Some may have noticed when formatting large flash drives, for example 64GB, that the file system of the drive is exFAT instead of the usual FAT32 or NTFS. While many people know about the FAT32 and NTFS systems, many are unaware of the existence of exFAT.

exFAT file system

The exFAT file system is the newest file system designed specifically for removable drives - flash drives, SD cards, external hard drives. The system is supported by operating systems of the Windows and MacOS family. It is also possible to work with exFAT removable media in Linux. Moreover, support for Windows Vista, Seven and Windows 10 is built in natively, as is MacOS. But Linux fans will need to install additional software. To work with the file system on Windows XP, you need to install a special update, which can be downloaded from the Microsoft website: https://support.microsoft.com/kb/955704/ru

If we talk about the advantages of exFAT, they are pronounced compared to the outdated FAT32 file system and there are practically no differences from NTFS. The main advantage is the support for large files - more than 4GB, which FAT32 did not have. Moreover, such a file system is “tailored” for flash memory, allowing you to reduce the number of rewrites of one memory cell. This allows you to extend the service life of the disk, since microcircuits have limitations on the number of rewrite cycles for each memory cell.

It is worth noting that you cannot format a flash drive with a memory capacity of less than 32GB in exFAT. This file system has such a limitation. However, along with NTFS, exFAT has less advanced functionality, comparable to FAT32. Moreover, this feature allows service information to take up less space on the media, which is clearly more beneficial for end users.

To change the file system from FAT32 or NTFS you need to format the disk. Formatting in the exFAT system is available to all owners starting with Windows Vista (Vista has some restrictions). Don't forget that formatting will delete all the contents of the removable media, so make sure you have a backup copy in advance.

If you cannot open a removable disk with a file system, then you are probably trying to do this on a computer running Windows XP or Linux. In the case of Windows XP, you can download and install a special update that will allow you to work with the new file system. If you do not have this option, then you can simply format the media in a supported file system - NTFS or FAT32.

Let's look at the types of file systems for a flash drive, which one is better. One user sent me a photo with the error “The file is too large for the target file system” and decided to write an article in which cases it is necessary to use the FAT32, NTFS and exFAT systems. It was moving a file over 4 GB in size to an 8 GB flash drive. The fact is that the FAT32 system cannot process information larger than 4 GB; if you have a flash drive with a capacity of 32 GB and its file system is FAT32, then you will not be able to write a file larger than 4 GB to it. Let's look at all three file systems in Windows, and look at their pros and cons.

FAT32

The old file system mode, which is usually used when buying a flash drive from a store and the reason for this is compatibility. Compatibility is that FAT32 can be used on any computer running MAC, Windows, Linux, old PCs. The biggest limitation is that it has a 4GB file size limit, which has problems with formats like 4K video and Blu-ray these days. In a word, if you are going to work with files whose size is less than 4 GB and the flash drive is used on different computers with different operating systems, then the FAT32 file system is very suitable.

exFAT

An updated file system created by Microsoft to replace FAT32. Began to be used in Windows Vista SP1 and has a maximum file size of 16 exabytes (EB), which is equal to 1 EB = 10 18 bytes. Compatible with Mac OS and Windows, it is a very good system for sharing large files.

Minuses:

• It does not have any logging functionality, in which all changes to files on disk are logged before they are actually made.
• Time Machine is not supported by Apple. In short, you won't be able to make a backup from Apple using Time Machine software.
• A very complex structure that requires more computing power.

Pros:

• Rewrites the same sector fewer times, which is important for flash drives, extending the life of memory cells. As you know, flash drives have N-numbers of rewrites, then they fail.
• Large file size limit of 16 exabytes.
• The cluster size is 32 megabytes.
• Improved free space distribution, which reduces disk defragmentation.

NTFS

The latest file system created by Microsoft and is the modern structure of today for almost any modern internal hard drive, flash drive or SSD drive. NTFS is a new file system technology. The windows system can only be installed on NTFS. It is the default for disks with the operating system, due to its versatility. It has all Microsoft technologies: logging, no file size restrictions, support for file compression, long names, file access control for server admins and much more. At home, this is the best option for using this system on disks and flash drives. There is one catch, when you insert a flash drive into Mac OS, you can copy information from the flash drive, but you cannot change it.

Conclusion:

For USB flash drives you should use exFAT, if you are constantly in a Mac OS, Windows environment, moving a flash drive from one operating system to another. If you only use Windows, then NTSF is a great solution.

When you need to format a flash drive or SD card, the system will offer you a choice NTFS, FAT32, and ExFAT. The system does not explain the difference between these formats in the dialog box.

FAT32 is the oldest file system that flash drives are most often formatted. NTFS Most often used to format hard drives on which the system will be installed, or for external hard drives. ExFAT is a modern replacement FAT32, every day more and more devices support ExFAT.

FAT32

The age of this file system has its advantages and disadvantages. Since its inception, FAT32 has already become a standard in flash drives. The flash drives you buy will most likely be formatted FAT32, for maximum software compatibility and not only modern computers, but also other devices such as game consoles and any device with a USB port.

There are also limitations in FAT32; individual files on a FAT32 flash drive cannot weigh more than 4 GB - this is the maximum. The FAT32 partition should also be less than 8 TB, most likely you will not find a flash drive with such a capacity, but at this rate of development anything can happen.

While this file system works well for USB flash drives and other external media, you won't be able to use it for an internal hard drive. It lacks the permissions and other security features built into the more modern NTFS file system. Modern versions of Windows cannot be installed on FAT32, and can only be installed on drives formatted with the NTFS file system.

Compatibility: Works with all versions of Windows, Mac, Linux, game consoles, and virtually any USB port.

Limits: 4 GB maximum file size, 8 TB maximum partition size.

Perfectusage: Use it on removable drives for maximum compatibility with a wide range of devices, as long as you're not using 4GB or larger files.

NTFS

NTFS is the modern Windows file system. When installing Windows, it formats the system disk to NTFS. NTFS has no restrictions on the size of partitions; any file size can be written to this file system. NTFS first appeared in Windows XP.

NTFS supports file permissions for security, change log, can quickly fix and restore errors, such as if your computer is rebooted then all recovery backup copies will be created, encryption, disk quota restrictions, hard links, and other various features. Many of them are critical to the operating system's system disk—especially the permission file.

The Windows system partition must be NTFS. If you have a second hard drive along with Windows and plan to use it for storing data and installing programs, then you will also need NTFS.

However, NTFS is not compatible with other operating systems. Will work with all latest versions of Windows, but has limited compatibility with other operating systems. By default, Mac OS X can only read NTFS drives, but not write to them. Some Linux distributions may allow NTFS writing, but some may be read-only. None of the Sony PlayStation consoles support NTFS. Even Microsoft's own Xbox 360 can't read NTFS drives, although the new Xbox can. Other different devices may not support NTFS.

Compatibility: Works with all versions of Windows, but is read-only from Macs by default, and may be read-only by default from some Linux distributions. Other devices - except (Microsoft, Xbox One - maybe) will not support NTFS.

Limits:

Perfectusage: Use it for your Windows system drive, and other internal drives that will only be used with Windows.

ExFAT

ExFAT was introduced in 2006, and has been added to newer Windows systems.

This file system is optimized for flash drives. This system has additional functions from NTFS, but without the restrictions from FAT32.

Like NTFS, ExFAT has a very large file and partition size. This means that you can store files that are larger than 4 GB on a flash drive or SD card as long as it is formatted ExFAT. ExFAT is an upgrade from FAT32 and is the best choice for external drives where you store files without file size restrictions.

ExFAT is also more compatible than NTFS. While Mac OS X includes read-only NTFS, Macs offer full read-write support for ExFAT. ExFAT disks can be accessed on Linux by installing the appropriate software.

While ExFAT is compatible with Mac computers, it will be compatible with some devices that do not support NTFS, such as digital cameras. Microsoft Xbox 360 does not support, although Xbox One does. PlayStation 3 does not support ExFAT, although PlayStation 4 does. Various other older devices may only support FAT32 instead of ExFAT.

Compatibility: Works with all versions of Windows, and modern versions of Mac OS X, but requires additional software on Linux. More devices support ExFAT than support NTFS, but some, especially older ones, may only support FAT32.

Limits: There is no file size limit or partition size limit.

Perfectusage: Use it for USB flash drives and other external storage devices, especially if you need to write files larger than 4GB.

NTFS is ideal for internal hard drives, while ExFAT is ideal for flash drives. However, you can format your external hard drive with FAT32 file system if ExFAT is not supported on the device.

Every time a user is going to format a drive, be it a hard drive or a regular flash drive, he is faced with the question of which file system to choose: NTFS, FAT32 or exFAT. The differences between them for the average user are insignificant, if not completely absent, so further in the text the features of each file system will be described.

What is a file system

Before listing the differences between FAT32 and NTFS, it’s worth understanding what it actually is. As one can conclude from the above, these are file systems. They are needed for one thing: providing users with the ability to interact with data on the drive using operating system tools. To put it simply, a file system is a library in which there are files on shelves instead of books.

There are actually many more file systems than were presented above. Among those not mentioned, we can highlight, for example, ext4 and HFC, which are used in the Linux and Mac OS operating systems, respectively. But only three will be discussed in the article: FAT32, NTFS and exFAT, because they are the most popular, if not the only ones, within the Windows operating system.

To make it easier to determine the differences between NTFS, FAT32 and exFAT file systems, we will compare them according to three most important criteria: compatibility, impact on drive wear and limitations.

Compatibility

We will start with perhaps the most important aspect - compatibility. The difference between FAT32 and NTFS and exFAT in this regard is quite large, but first things first.

This file system is the oldest of those presented. Accordingly, most all devices support it, from desktop computers based on the Windows XP operating system to radio tape recorders installed in cars. All advanced operating systems work with it: Windows, Linux, Mac OS. If desired, flash drives with this file system can also be viewed on smartphones, however, for this you will need a special OTG adapter.

NTFS is commonly considered the Windows file system. So this is no accident. It was created by developers from Microsoft at a time when their system switched to NT architecture, hence the name. This fact imposes some restrictions on its compatibility. So, you can easily use the same flash drive on computers running Windows and Linux, and with the use of additional software - on Mac OS computers, but the old player will refuse to recognize the device.

This file system is newfangled. This leads to its main drawback - poor compatibility. You can use a flash drive with this file system only within Windows OS and on Android and iOS smartphones.

Impact on chip wear

Now let's look at the difference between FAT32 and NTFS for a flash drive in terms of the impact on its wear. The fact is that any flash drive has restrictions on overwriting memory cells; accordingly, the more often the flash drive is overwritten, the sooner it will become unusable.

Here the situation is exactly the opposite of the previous one - FAT32 has an organization that is excellent for working with small files, but it also manages to fragment them, resulting in a large number of rewrites in individual memory cells.

Since NTFS is a newer file system compared to FAT32, its impact on flash drive wear is better. Due to the introduction of file indexing technology into it, the developers managed to reduce the number of file fragmentations. It follows that with the NTFS system your flash drive will last an order of magnitude longer.

If NTFS is a newer system compared to FAT32, then exFAT is completely newer. She knows how to handle a flash drive better than anyone, extending its service life to the maximum. This is because the developers originally created it for portable storage devices.

Limitations on the size of recorded data

If you have written large files to a flash drive, then most likely you are familiar with the situation when an error appears in such cases. This is due to file system limitations. What differences are there between FAT32 and NTFS in this regard?

Perhaps FAT32 is again losing to its “competitors” in this matter. Due to its “age”, it is not capable of storing a file larger than 4 gigabytes. At the time when it was created, this figure was unattainable, but everything has changed, and 4 gigabytes is now a very small value. Among other things, you will not be able to write more than 512 files to the root directory on a FAT32 flash drive.

This file system can already cope with loads that the previous one cannot withstand. In fact, there are limitations in it, but in the near future it will not be possible to get closer to them, so now it is generally accepted that they simply do not exist. You can easily write as many files as you like to the root directory and place a file of any size on the drive.

If NTFS has no restrictions, then exFAT even more so. You will encounter an error only if you try to write a file larger than 16 zettabytes, which is simply unrealistic, because there is no such file and no flash drive of that size. Well, it’s better to remain silent about the number of files in the root directory.

Which file system to choose

So we looked at all the differences between FAT32 and NTFS and exFAT. As a result, we can give some recommendations for choosing a file system:

• If you want to use your flash drive to play multimedia files on older devices, then choose FAT32.
• If you value the durability of your drive, format it to NTFS, or better yet, exFAT.
• When working with large data, categorically avoid the FAT32 file system.
• If data writing speed is important to you, use exFAT, and if you are still working with small files, then FAT32.

Conclusion

We hope you now understand the difference between FAT32, NTFS and exFAT. Above we tried to analyze all their features and nuances. You still have the right to choose which of the listed file systems suits you best.