You just got a new drive, or perhaps it’s one you’ve owned for some time. It could be an external or internal HDD or SSD, a USB flash drive, or a memory card. In the process of formatting it, you’ll notice that there are three Microsoft Windows file system options to choose from—FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS.
What if I told you that each option has distinctive characteristics that would later prove pivotal to what you can do with your drive, the files you can store on it, as well as how those files will be handled? No pressure, right?
This guide will tell you what you need to know about these three separate file systems so that you can make the right choice and avoid had-I-knowns down the road. Don’t worry. We’ll keep it simple.
What Is a File System?
Before you can begin to send files to your new drive, you have to format it with a file system. A file system provides a method for storing and retrieving files. Without it, everything will be thrown in randomly to make one big data lump with no way to locate items or even tell them apart. Picture a library without shelves and piles of books scattered all over.
File systems divide the drive’s storage space into compartments known as clusters, enabling individual files to be tracked.
This also helps monitor the available free space on the drive.
Each file system has its own unique features and organizes the drive differently, thus determining its compatibility and efficiency.
The file system also specifies what attributes saved files can have; for instance, how the files can be named, what size they can be, or what permissions they can have.
FAT32 is the oldest and, therefore, the most ubiquitous of the three file systems. Years later, exFAT was created as a more versatile replacement suitable for handling larger files and drives.
NTFS is the most advanced of the three. It is the default file system for the internal drive (system drive) of computers running the latest versions of Windows.
Some of these file systems are cross-platform compatible, meaning that they can be used by other OSes, while some are not and would require the installation of third-party software. Some are licensed to OEMs, such as FAT32 and exFAT, allowing them to work with a broad range of electronic devices and embedded systems.
exFAT vs. FAT32 vs. NTFS: A Quick Overview of File Systems
Here’s what you need to know at a glance:
| Specs | FAT32 | exFAT | NTFS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developed by Microsoft | 1977 | 2006 | 1993 |
| Ideal for formatting | Flash drives and memory cards less than 32 GB in size and where maximum compatibility with any OS or electronic device is required | All removable drives where large file size and compatibility between OSes are required
Some devices might not support it
|
Internal SSDs and HDDs for Windows PCs
Also for removable drives where file security is a more desirable factor than cross-platform compatibility
|
| Max file size | 4 GB | 128 PB | 128 PB |
| Maximum partition size | 32 GB (native max partition size)
Up to 2 TB with third-party tools 16 TB theoretical limit
|
128 PB | 128 PB |
| Drive and file security | Low | Low | High |
| Fault tolerance | Low | Low | High |
| Journaling | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Compatibility (Windows) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Compatibility (Mac) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ (Read-only by default) |
| Compatibility (Linux) | ✅ | ✅ (Older Linux versions need additional software for full read-write support) | ✅ (Mostly requires additional software for full read-write support) |
| File compression | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Drive encryption support | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Suitable for bootable drive | ✅ | Limited | ✅ |
What is FAT32?
FAT file systems (FAT8, FAT12, FAT16, and finally, FAT32) were the default file systems for Windows until NTFS was introduced in Windows XP.
FAT is short for File Allocation Table, and 32 refers to 32-bit addressing. It first appeared with the Windows 95 OSR2 release back in 1996. It was a significant advancement at the time, replacing the older FAT16 file system that was primarily used in Windows 3.0 PCs.
In those days, FAT16 was becoming increasingly inefficient in satisfying the growing need for larger-sized hard drives, and FAT32 was a welcome improvement.
Due to the fact that FAT32 has been around for close to 30 years now, it is supported by a broad range of electronic devices—from embedded systems to gaming consoles, smart TVs, media players, and cameras, as well as Windows, Mac, and Linux computers.
Practically, almost anything that has a USB port or memory card slot will work with drives formatted with this file system. Some flash drives and SD cards come pre-formatted with FAT32. It is the official file system for SD and SDHC cards that are less than 32 GB in size.
However, because it’s so old, it is limited in what it can do:
- Any individual file that is over 4 GB in size cannot be sent to a drive formatted with FAT32. If you try, you’ll get a prompt telling you that the file is too large for the destination file system.
- FAT32 works best with drives that have a maximum size of 32 GB. You cannot format a drive larger than that to FAT32 unless you divide the drive into smaller partitions.
Why you might use FAT32
- Works with all operating systems, including all versions of Mac and Linux.
- Works with any device that has a memory card slot or USB port.
- Suitable for creating a bootable USB and for formatting a USB to be used for BIOS firmware updates.
Limitations to consider
- Can’t contain files greater than 4 GB in size.
- Maximum drive size and partition size of 32 GB. Could achieve 2 TB or 8 TB with third-party tools. The theoretical maximum is 16 TB.
- Lacks advanced features like journaling and file permission settings.
What is exFAT?
exFAT, otherwise known as the Extended File Allocation Table, was introduced by Microsoft in 2006. Unlike FAT32, exFAT can handle drives and drive partitions of almost any size. Furthermore, there’s virtually no real limit to the size of individual files that can be stored on the drive.
This makes exFAT the best option for memory cards and other removable drives used by video production professionals and in security cameras. In fact, the SD Association has embraced exFAT as the default format for SDXC and SDUC memory cards.
exFat has broad compatibility, although not as much as FAT32, but definitely far more than NTFS. macOS can read and write to drives formatted with exFAT; however, a good number of Linux systems require extra software before they can access exFAT-formatted drives.
Why you might use exFAT
- Great for USB drives, SD cards, and external SSDs & HDDs of all sizes.
- Works on all operating systems but may require additional software for some older Linux distributions.
- Supports files larger than 4 GB (good for HD videos, software backups, etc.).
Limitations to consider
- Might not be supported by older electronic devices and embedded systems.
- No journaling or advanced security features.
- Slower read/write speeds than NTFS (not significant). However, your hardware may have more to do with it than the file system.
What is NTFS?
If you are all about Windows, then NTFS is your best bet. The New Technology File System (NTFS) is the default file system for the internal drive of Windows PCs, starting from Windows XP all the way up to Windows 11. When you install Windows on a computer, the computer’s drive is automatically formatted to NTFS.
If you usually work and play with Windows PCs, then you won’t go wrong by formatting your removable SSD, HDD, or USB sticks with NTFS, especially if your gaming consoles and other home and office devices are also NTFS-friendly.
Xbox Series X, Series S, and Xbox One support NTFS. Some televisions, such as Samsung QLED also support NTFS. Check the specifications of your particular devices to know whether they support removable drives formatted with NTFS.
Why you might use NTFS
- You can send files of any size to drives formatted with this file system.
- When creating partitions on your drive, you won’t be bound by any size limits…
- NTFS is a self-healing, journaling file system…
- This file system also allows you to encrypt your drive (for example, using BitLocker)…
Limitations to consider
- NTFS has limited compatibility. It’s not very common to find devices that support NTFS, mostly due to licensing reasons.
- macOS can read the contents of a drive formatted with NTFS, but you won’t be able to copy or make changes to those files. You also won’t be able to send files to the drive. The only way to perform these operations would be by installing specialized software. Some Linux systems, like Ubuntu, Debian, and Linux Mint, may be able to read and write to drives formatted with NTFS using an NTFS-3G driver.
- Windows versions older than Windows XP do not support NTFS.
exFAT vs. FAT32 vs. NTFS: Which One Should You Pick?
Below are some crucial factors to consider: Focus on security and reliability In terms of security and reliability, NTFS reigns supreme, while exFAT and FAT32 are on the same level. NTFS is the only Microsoft file system with journaling capability, enabling data recovery and protection against data loss and corruption.
NTFS is also the only file system that allows users to set file permissions and encrypt the drive. Consider the file size and drive partition size exFAT and NTFS are on equal footing when file size and drive partition size are concerned. NTFS beats exFAT by including a number of additional features that prove useful in file management, safety, and security.
exFAT comes out on top in its ideal usage across different OSes and other home and office devices. NTFS does not enjoy similar widespread usage. Make sure it’s compatible with your device FAT32 is preferable over exFAT when it comes to compatibility. There’s hardly any device that won’t work with drives formatted with FAT32. You can use it on your car’s entertainment system, your gaming consoles, media players, TVs, embedded devices, computers, etc.
Certain operations, such as creating a bootable USB and updating BIOS firmware, require the FAT32 format. exFAT was created with the sole purpose of addressing the limitations of FAT32, which are its slower read/write speed and the inability to handle large files, drives, and drive partitions. It is not as widely compatible as FAT32. NTFS is best used for all things Windows.
If you’re just looking for something simple and widely acceptable, FAT32 is still reliable, especially for smaller drives. If you’re transferring large files between operating systems, exFAT strikes the perfect balance.
If you’re a Windows user and care about data safety, NTFS is the way to go.
Use the table below as a guide:
| Device type | Recommended file system | Why this file system? |
|---|---|---|
| USB flash drives and memory cards > 32 GB | exFAT | Can contain very large files, and is accessible on most electronic devices and OSes |
| USB flash drives and memory cards < 32 GB | FAT32 | Broad compatibility—can be used with any electronic device or OS |
| Internal HDD & SSD (Windows default) | NTFS | Self-healing, journaling file system that’s optimal for system drives |
| External HDD & SSD (for use on Windows + Mac + Linux) | exFAT | Works on most operating systems and has virtually no drive size or partition size limits |
| External SSD & HDD (for use on Windows) | NTFS | File security and drive stability |
How to Format Your Drive to FAT32, exFAT, or NTFS
Now that we’ve compared and contrasted the three file systems and you know which one to use under specific situations, let’s have a quick look at how to format a drive on Windows and Mac using any one of these file systems.
Windows:
- Plug the storage device you want to format into your computer’s USB port.
- Click on the Start button and type File Explorer in the search bar. Then open the app when it appears in the search results.
Locate This PC from the list of items on the left pane of the window and click the drop-down arrow next to it to expand the menu and find your desired drive.
- Right-click on the drive and click the Format option in the context menu.
- You can now select the file system you want from the File system drop-down menu.
- Now, if you uncheck the Quick Format option, the format process will take a bit longer to complete because it does a deep clean of the drive. So you can keep the box checked and just do a quick format.
- Click the Start button. The system will immediately pop up a warning, alerting you to the fact that all the data on the drive will be wiped. Therefore, you may want to cancel the format and create a backup of the drive if the contents are valuable to you. Otherwise, simply click OK to run the format.
- Click OK after the format is done.
Mac:
- Plug in your external drive.
- Search for and open Disk Utility using Spotlight.
- On the left pane, select your drive under External.
- On the main screen, you’ll see the details of the drive, including the current file. system. Click on the Erase option at the top of the page.
- Expand Format and select MS-DOS (FAT) or ExFAT.
- Click Erase.
- Click Done once the formatting process is complete. You can now use the drive on Windows as well as on your Mac.
- Click on Partition at the top of the Disk Utility page after you have selected your drive.
- Expand the Format drop-down and select ExFAT.
- Click Apply.
If you wish to choose the FAT32 file system for your removable drive (SSD, HDD, USB flash drive, or SD card), you should note that drives that have a total size greater than 32 GB will not have the FAT32 option available.
This is because you’d be better off with exFAT for larger-sized drives. However, if you are determined to use FAT32, perhaps for a BIOS update or for creating a bootable drive, you can use a third-party app, for example, Rufus, to format the drive.
Alternatively, there is an effective workaround using Disk Management on Windows and Disk Utility on Mac. It works by creating a new partition in the drive, setting the partition size to 32 GB or less, and then formatting it to FAT32.
Conclusion
Choosing a file system for your storage drive is just as important as purchasing the drive itself. Knowing the purpose you want the drive to serve will enable you to make the right choice, so that right off the bat, before you start adding your files, you’ll be certain that they’ll be readily accessible when needed.
➡️ FAT32 is best for small-sized (< 32 GB) flash drives and SD cards where broad compatibility is required.
➡️ exFAT is best for all removable drives (including USB flash drives, SD cards, HDDs, and SDDs) to be used across different OSes and for when large file and drive partition sizes are required.
➡️ NTFS is best for Windows PC internal drives or external drives intended for use on Windows and where security and protection against data loss are a concern.
Have you made your choice yet? Feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments and share this guide with anyone who might find it helpful.
