What is the difference between FAT32, exFAT and NTFS? Difference between FAT32 and NTFS

When you format an internal drive, external hard drive, flash drive, or SD card, Windows will prompt you to select the file system FAT32, ExFAT, and NTFS. But in this window there is no description of what this file system means and what the difference is between them. Therefore, in today’s article we will try to decipher these file system names.

FAT32 is the oldest file system and was introduced in Windows 95 to replace FAT16.

The age of this file system has advantages and disadvantages. Almost all flash drives you buy are purchased with the FAT32 file system, for maximum compatibility not only with computers, but also with game consoles and other devices that support flash drives.

Limitations of this age: file size larger than 4GB FAT32 is not supported, so you can upload any number of files to the drive, but each of them should not be larger than 4GB. The maximum partition size in FAT32 is 8TB, but in Windows operating systems the size of the created partition in this file system does not exceed 32GB. Although if you create a partition larger than 32GB on another system, then Windows will work with the drive. But again, if you create a partition in FAT32 larger than 32GB, then, according to Microsoft, the performance of this disk drops significantly.

While this file system is good for flash drives and other external storage devices, it is not very good for internal drives. It lacks the permissions and other security features built into the more modern NTFS file system. To install a modern Windows operating system, you need to create a partition only in NTFS.

Compatibility: Supported by all versions of Windows, Mac, Linux, game consoles and other USB devices.

Restrictions: Maximum file size 4GB, 8TB maximum partition size. In Windows, a partition can be created no larger than 32GB.

Perfect fit: on removable drives for compatibility with most devices as long as you use files up to 4GB.

NTFS is the modern file system that Windows works with. All Windows operating systems format the partition in NTFS during installation. First appeared with Windows XP.

This type of file system is packed with other modern features. It supports file permissions for security, change logging, which can help you quickly recover errors if your computer suddenly reboots. It also supports shadow copies for backup, encryption, and other necessary functions.

To install a Windows system, your partition must be NTFS, and it is better to format secondary disks in this file system for the normal operation of all applications.

But this file system is not compatible with other operating systems. It will work with all versions of Windows, but Mac OS X can only read disks in this file system, it cannot write to them. Also, Linux only reads NTFS partitions, although some distributions include write support. Most game consoles do not support NTFS; for example, the Sony PlayStation does not support this file system, and the Xbox 360 does not support it.

Compatibility: works with all versions of Windows, only reads on Mac, also Linux only reads, and not every distribution writes. Other devices are not supported by most.

Restrictions:

Perfect fit: for the system disk, and other internal disks that will only be used in Windows.

ExFat was introduced by Microsoft in 2006, and is otherwise called FAT64. Support for this file system was added with updates to Windows XP.

This file system is optimized for flash drives. One of the innovations of ExFat is the reduction in the number of overwrites of the same sector, which reduces wear on the drive.

Like NTFS, ExFat is not limited in file and partition sizes. In other words, if your drive is formatted in ExFat, then you can write files larger than 4GB to it. This file system is the best choice for drives where you want a lightweight file system without file size limitations.

ExFat is also more compatible than NTFS; while the Mac only supported NTFS read, ExFat fully supports both reading and writing. ExFat can also be accessed on Linux if you install additional software.

While ExFat is more friendly with operating systems, it is often not compatible with digital cameras, and not all game consoles support this file system. Yes, and other older devices may be limited to supporting only FAT32.

Compatibility: Works on all versions of Windows and modern versions of Mac OS X, but requires additional software on Linux. Most older devices do not support this file system.

Restrictions: There are no restrictions on file sizes or partition sizes.

Perfect fit: for USB flash drives, external drives, etc. if you work with files larger than 4GB and if you want to reduce wear on the drive.

NTFS is ideal for internal drives, while ExFat is more suitable for flash drives. Fat32 is mainly used for older devices that do not support other file systems.

That's all for today, if you have any additions - write comments! Good luck to you :)

Today, the choice of file system when formatting media becomes relevant. Let's say you want to format a hard drive or flash drive, and you have a choice: format it into file systems such as NTFS, FAT32, FAT, FAT16, exFAT. There is also one, but, in fact, it is not such, but indicates the presence of problems with the disk.

Users start formatting as they may have been advised or they read somewhere in NTFS or FAT32, which are the most popular file systems, unlike the rest. For example, exFAT is not the most widespread today, and not all operating systems support it.

Now we will talk about the difference between FAT32 and NTFS.

Difference between FAT32 and NTFS

FAT32– the file system is based on FAT16. It is the oldest and not safe. Also, FAT technology was used back in Windows 95 and 98. If your media is formatted for this file system, then the files on the media are visible to any user who has access to the computer. The downside of the file system is that it has a size limit. It is impossible to create a partition larger than 32 GB. The decryption of the file system looks like this: File Allocation Table.

NTFS– this file system is the most preferred and has a number of advantages over FAT32

Can automatically recover in case of disk errors
Support for large hard drives has been improved
More secure file system. You can use encryption or restrict any data.

As practice has shown, NTFS works slower than FAT32, but it works more efficiently when handling large files. Also, NTFS will require more RAM; computers and other devices with less than 64 MB of RAM do not support NTFS. Although such computers most likely do not exist.

As a result, we can say the following: NTFS uses disk space efficiently and works well with large files, but FAT32 works faster, although it only supports working with files up to 4 GB. NTFS is more reliable, FAT32 does not require a large amount of RAM.

It's up to you to decide which file system to format your hard drive or flash drive under. Also, we discuss in the comments which one is better.

Formatting a flash drive is not only a quick way to clear it of unnecessary files, but also choosing a specific file system that will allow a wide variety of devices to easily read information from this media: PCs, laptops, radios, TVs, DVD players, game consoles etc. Therefore, first, let’s look at which system is best for formatting a flash drive for you, touching on the features of each. Then we will dwell in detail on formatting algorithms for the popular FAT32 and NTFS.

What is a file system

A file system is a variant of organizing data on a particular medium. Each OS (and even a music player has one) has its own system that is harmoniously compatible with it. Or even several. Thus, when formatting an external or hard drive with a specific file system, you first of all determine which OS will be able to read it.

Many people believe that it is only possible to format a flash drive in FAT32 or NTFS, but this is a misconception. There are many more file systems. Let's list the most famous:

On Windows: FAT32, exFAT, NTFS.
On Mac OS: HFS+.
On Linux: EXT2, EXT3.

Let's get to know each of them in more detail.

FAT32

This file system is the oldest, most widespread and most reliable - it is the one that replaced FAT16. Therefore, many, when deciding to format a flash drive in FAT32 or NTFS, traditionally choose the first option.

This is a rare format that is supported by all operating systems and almost all game consoles and other devices with USB. But FAT32 imposes the following restrictions: the size of one file on the disk should not be more than 4 GB, and one partition should not be more than 8 TB.

Many flash drives sold in stores are set to good old FAT by default, so that these drives can be read by both modern and legacy devices. This system is not at all suitable for hard drives today - to install modern Windows, the drive must be formatted in at least NTFS.

Your choice is FAT32 if you want to get a flash drive on which you are supposed to write light-weight information, and with which the maximum number of different devices can work.

NTFS

Another Microsoft product. A flash drive formatted in this system can work mainly with Windows, sometimes with Linux. Apple technology can only read it, and game consoles do not support it at all (Xbox, PS). NTFS allows a single file size on media larger than flash media available today, and the partition limit is 16 Eb!

In addition, the file system includes the following capabilities:

recording changes to restore the system in case of a crash;
establishing access rights to stored files;
disk quotas;
encryption, etc.

Thus, formatting a removable drive on this system is not practical because... it is more tailored for hard drives and to work with Windows, rather than with other operating systems.

exFAT

When figuring out where it is better to format a flash drive - in FAT32 or NTFS, many ignore the more modern exFAT, also the brainchild of Windows. And it allows you to write files of almost unlimited size, setting the limit for one partition to a cosmic 64 Zb! Windows, the latest versions of Apple OS and Linux work well with it when installing additional packages. Modern versions of game consoles also support exFAT, which cannot be said about the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.

So, exFAT is the most modern file system from Windows, incorporating the compatibility capabilities of FAT32 and the broader functionality of NTFS. One drawback is that it only works with the latest versions of existing OSes and is useless on devices with outdated hardware.

EXT2, 3 and HFS+

HFS+ is a file system developed by Mac OS. Linux and Xbox also work with it; Windows is not supported. There are practically no restrictions on the size of one file; for a section - 8 Eb.

EXT2, 3 is a Linux product. The maximum file size on a flash drive formatted in this system is 16 GB, for a partition - 32 TB. Among third-party OSes, only Xbox works with this format.

How to format a flash drive to FAT32

The algorithm is very simple:

Connect the external drive to your computer, after the system sees it, go to “My Computer”. No formatting software is required for this system.
RMB on the desired flash drive - “Format”.
The desired system, as a rule, is already selected by default - all you have to do is click on “Start”.
After a while, the computer will notify you that formatting is complete. That's all!

How to format a flash drive to NTFS

Formatting in this file system is more difficult, because it, in fact, is not intended for For the procedure, you will need the flash drive itself and a PC:

In the "Control Panel" go to "System".
In "Properties" you need the "Hardware" tab, and then "Device Manager".
Next - “Disk devices” - double click on the desired flash drive to open its properties.
Then "Policy" and "Optimize for Execution". Confirm the action and close the windows.
Now go to "My Computer", select the desired removable drive.
RMB by its name, then “Format”.
How to format a flash drive to NTFS? The name you are looking for now appears in the "File system" drop-down menu - select it.
Format the drive by clicking on "Start".
In "My Computer" go to "Systems".
Next - "Hardware", "Device Manager" - "Disk".
Select the formatted removable drive, then go to its Properties.
In the "Policy" check "Optimize for quick removal", confirm your choice.

What's easier: format a flash drive in FAT32 or NTFS? The answer is obvious.

Support programs

To format a drive in a rare file system, sometimes the capabilities of one OS are not enough. Let's introduce some helper programs for formatting:

In NTFS - convert.exe (built-in Windows utility), HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool, Format USB Or Flash Drive Software.
In HFS+ and for SD, SHDC, SDXC, SD-C, LLC cards - SD Formatter.
For JetFlash, Transcend and A-DATA - JetFlash Recovery Tool.
Support for all file systems - MiniTool Partition Wizard.

When thinking about whether to format a flash drive in FAT32 or NTFS, first of all, note what you need this drive for - to write large files, work with a variety of devices, store secret data, etc. After familiarizing yourself with the pros and cons of these file systems, you You can easily select the desired formatting algorithm in this article.

When formatting a flash drive, you can select the file system: NTFS or FAT32. File System (FS) is a way of recording and storing data on an external storage device. Its choice determines how the media will work, how much everything will fit on it, and what devices will be able to read and record information. But the main difference is the maximum size of the stored file. These FS have different characteristics and different purposes. You need to decide in advance what the drive will be used for. Figure out how to format a flash drive in NTFS or FAT32, what advantages each file system provides, and under what conditions it will be useful. Even if you do not have a specific range of tasks for a USB drive, it makes sense to learn more about the File System.

One of the characteristics of FS is the cluster size. This is a kind of “sector” on a flash drive. Imagine that you see a field divided into cells. If you put data in one of them, nothing else will be written there. Even if they haven't completely filled the sector.

To choose NTFS or FAT32 for a flash drive, you need to understand it using a specific example. Let's say the cluster size is 16 Kilobytes. If you copy a file that weighs 8 Kilobytes onto the media, it will occupy the entire “cell”. And the next data will be written to other sectors. If you move a document to 18 Kilobytes, it will get two clusters. And you won’t be able to add anything to them. And 14 KB of free space will be wasted. Accordingly, the smaller the cell, the more data will fit on the drive.

Before formatting a flash drive in FAT32 or NTFS, look at their minimum cluster size. It depends not only on the file system, but also on the characteristics of the drive. This value can be manually selected during cleaning.

In most cases, the difference between sectors in FS is small. But in FAT32, changing the cluster significantly affects performance. This File System works much more efficiently with large “cells”. For NTFS, the optimal sector size is 4 KB. For FAT32 - 8 or 16 KB. But you can choose other options.

FAT32 runs smoothly on computers that have little RAM. This FS is suitable for you if you want to move small files and folders to the drive. With a low percentage of fragmentation, the file system works quickly. It is compatible with many devices: cameras, TVs, set-top boxes, players, printers. Data from the media will be available on any gadget.

If you are wondering how to format a flash drive in FAT32, it makes sense to learn about the limitations. Files larger than 4 GB will simply not be written there. A message will appear indicating that the disk is full. If you plan to store high quality movies on it, this FS is not the best option. If you transfer photos or documents on it, choose FAT32.

There are no such “obstacles” in NTFS. The maximum file size is limited only by the storage capacity. Memory is rationally distributed in this File System. Work with multi-level catalogs containing a lot of data is effectively organized.

Formatting

In order for formatting a flash drive to FAT32 or NTFS to be successful, it must be optimized.

Insert the drive into the USB slot.
Wait until the system detects the presence of a new device and finds a driver for it.
Open My Computer. It should be on the desktop or in the Start menu.
There will be a list of disks and connected devices.
Right-click on the media.
“Properties” item.
Hardware tab.
Select the media.
"Properties" button.

Click on Properties

Section "Politics".
Select Optimize for Execution. If the required option is not there, then optimization is not required.
Confirm the action.

After this, you can figure out how to format a flash drive in FAT32 and NTFS.

Open My Computer.
Right-click on the drive you want to clean.
To see what File System is on it, open “Properties”. The “General” tab will contain the necessary information.
Right-click on the flash drive again.
“Format” item.

Click format

From the File System drop-down list, select NTFS or FAT32. There may be other FS: “FAT” (without numbers), “exFAT”.
In the "Cluster Size" section, specify the desired cluster size accordingly. The minimum value differs in different File Systems.
You can uncheck the “Quick” checkbox to ensure deep cleaning of the volume.
Click "Get Started."
The process will take some time. Do not interrupt it or turn off your PC.

Through settings

Right-click on the “My Computer” icon.
Item "Management".
Expand the "Storage Devices" list. He's on the left.
Sub-item "Disk Management".

Disk management

In the menu that appears, right-click on the drive.
“Format” item.
Further actions are the same as in the previous chapter.

Don't touch anything else when operating your computer. If you accidentally change the primary drive or volume letter, problems will arise.

Programs

Formatting a flash drive to NTFS or FAT32 using utilities is practically no different from cleaning it using built-in Windows tools. But you need to search for, download and install third-party applications yourself. Here are some of them:

HDD LOW Level Format Tool.

If you need to quickly copy small files, figure out how to format a flash drive in FAT32. This file system is suitable for small drives. If you plan to store objects that weigh 4 GB or more on storage media, you need NTFS.

Sometimes, reading information, playing music and movies from a flash drive or external hard drive on all devices, namely a computer, a household DVD player or TV, Xbox or PS3, as well as in a car radio, can cause some problems. Here we’ll talk about which file system is best to use so that the flash drive can be read everywhere and always without problems.

What is a file system and what problems can be associated with it

A file system is a way of organizing data on storage media. As a rule, each operating system uses its own file system, but it can use several. Given that only binary data can be written to hard drives, the file system is a key component that provides translation from physical records into files that can be read by the OS. Thus, when formatting a drive in a certain way and with a certain file system, you decide which devices (since even your radio has a unique OS) will be able to understand what exactly is written on a flash drive, hard drive or other drive.

In addition to the well-known FAT32 and NTFS, as well as somewhat less familiar to the average user HFS+, EXT and other file systems, there are dozens of different file systems created for various devices for specific purposes. Today, when most people have more than one computer and other digital devices at home, which can use the operating systems Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Android and others, the question is how to format a flash drive or other portable drive so that it read in all these devices, is quite relevant. And there are problems with this.

Compatibility

Currently, there are two most common file systems (for Russia) - NTFS (Windows), FAT32 (old Windows standard). Mac OS and Linux file systems can also be used.

It would be logical to assume that modern operating systems would work with each other's file systems by default, but in most cases this is not the case. Mac OS X cannot write data to a drive formatted with NTFS. Windows 7 does not recognize HFS+ and EXT drives and either ignores them or reports that the drive is not formatted.

Many Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, support most file systems by default. Copying from one system to another is a common process on Linux. Most distributions support HFS+ and NTFS out of the box, or support for them is installed in one free component.

In addition, game consoles such as the Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 provide only limited access to certain file systems, and only allow data to be read from a USB drive. To see which file systems are supported on which devices, take a look at this table.

	Windows XP	Windows 7/Vista	Mac OS Leopard	Mac OS Lion/Snow Leopard	Ubuntu Linux	Playstation 3	Xbox 360
NTFS(Windows)	Yes	Yes	Only reading	Only reading	Yes	No	No
FAT32(DOS, Windows)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
exFAT(Windows)	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes, with ExFat package	No	No
HFS+(Mac OS)	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
EXT2, 3(Linux)	No	No	No	No	Yes	No	Yes

It is worth noting that the tables reflect the OS capabilities for working with file systems by default. On both Mac OS and Windows, you can download additional software that allows you to work with unsupported formats.

FAT32 is a long-standing format and, thanks to this, almost all devices and operating systems fully support it. Thus, if you format a flash drive in FAT32, it is almost guaranteed to be readable anywhere. However, there is one important problem with this format: the size limitation of an individual file and an individual volume. If you need to store, write and read huge files, FAT32 may not be suitable. Now let's talk more about size restrictions.

File size limits on file systems

The FAT32 file system was developed a long time ago and is based on previous versions of FAT, which was originally used in DOS. Disks with today's volumes did not exist at that time, and therefore there were no prerequisites for the file system to support files larger than 4GB. Today, many users have to face problems due to this. Below you can see a comparison of file systems based on the sizes of supported files and partitions.

Modern file systems have expanded file size limits to limits that are still difficult to imagine (we'll see what happens in 20 years).

Each new system outperforms FAT32 in terms of the size of individual files and a separate disk partition. Thus, the age of FAT32 affects its ability to be used for various purposes. One solution is to use the exFAT file system, support for which appears in many operating systems. But, one way or another, for a regular USB flash drive, if files larger than 4 GB are not stored on it, FAT32 will be the best choice, and the flash drive will be read almost anywhere.