The difference between FAT32, exFAT and NTFS, and which one is better?

 

FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS are three different types of formats for flash and storage units. When you format any volume, whether we are talking about an internal or external hard drive or a USB flash drive, there are 3 options for the type that will result from this, whether NTFS, exFAT or FAT32, and you may be wondering what the difference between these types? Of course, Windows does not explain the difference between these types, but we will clarify the difference between these types in this article, continue with us.

 

The importance of having a difference

 

The idea of having these types is to provide a way to organize and arrange the files on the volume and what type of data is associated with these files, permissions, and many other points, Windows, of course, supports 3 types and we have mentioned their names, you have NTFS which is the latest type and it is used in all internal volumes and in system files For Windows, then you have the old FAT32 which has a lot of flaws but it has more support for more systems, and finally there is exFAT update for FAT and it supports more devices but it is not as widespread as the first two types, what are the differences? Let's explain each type

 

NT File System (NTFS)

 

This is the modern type of format for any volume, which Windows uses by default. When you install Windows on your device, it creates all partitions in this format. This type or format has a wide range of file sizes that it accepts and that it can deal with. So you will almost never have a problem with this point in your life, this type appeared with the beginning of Windows XP for the consumer, but in fact it was available starting from Windows NT which was not available to the consumers, this type is full of various benefits from support for permissions to security, error recovery, easy troubleshooting and encryption data and others.

 

All Partitions used by the system carry this type, and any Partition will install any applications that must be of this type as well, and if you have any storage unit that you install in the computer and only deal with Windows, it is better to be of this type, as its compatibility with Windows is better than any Another compatibility, NTFS problem is that it is not compatible with all systems, it will be compatible with all Windows systems starting from Windows XP, but with macOS for example, there will be a compatibility problem, this format is read-only, only some Linux distributions will support reading and writing on this type, all PlayStation devices It doesn't support it, while Xbox 360 also doesn't support this feature

 

Compatibility

 

Compatible with all versions of Windows

Read-only support with Macs not supporting writing

Some Linux distributions are supported and some are read-only

Android devices are not supported

 

the border

 

There are no real limits to the size of files and data that can be accessed

 

perfect use

 

In the case of Windows devices with system and internal storage

 

File Allocation Table 32 (FAT32)

 

This is the oldest type in this article and it is an update of the FAT16 type used in MS-DOS or Windows 3, the age of this large type gives it different advantages and disadvantages for each type, because of this age, for example, there is a large area of ​​supported systems so that this type is the standard found in All flashes released by companies may not buy a USB flash drive and find it of another type, almost this type is compatible with any USB device and works on almost any operating system, whether Windows, Linux, Mac or Android, yes this format is excellent on all external devices, especially if It would not work with Windows only, but the problem with FAT32 is that it does not support transferring files larger than 4GB for a single file and the partition size must be smaller than 8TB, it seems suspicious, I mean, it will not reach 8TB in one partition, but that is the number.

 

Compatibility

 

Compatible with all versions of Windows

Compatible with all versions of Mac

Compatible with all Linux systems

Supports connection with Android

Supported on almost any USB-enabled device

 

the border

 

The largest file that can be transferred on the device cannot be more than 4GB

The largest partition size is no more than 8TB

 

perfect use

 

Ideal for any external storage with a wide range of supported devices assuming you won't transfer files larger than 4GB

 

Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT)

 

This system was introduced in 2006 and was added to all old versions of Windows such as Windows XP and Windows Vista, this type is optimized for USB flash drives and was designed to be a light version such as FAT, but without excessive and powerful features such as NTF and without FAT limits, because of the absence of these limits, this The type supports files more than 4GB very naturally, but it does not spread the spread of FAT is not supported in the same wide range at all, but in any case it is still supported on more devices, for example on Mac it is fully supported whether reading or writing, on Linux the exFAT type is fully available on it , with support for PlayStation 4 and 5 and not for Xbox 360.

 

Compatibility

 

Compatible with all versions of Windows

Compatible with all versions of Mac

Linux compatible with additional drivers required

 

the border

 

There are limits on the partition space and files, although it is very large

 

perfect use

 

exFAT is used when you need a volume without the space limits of FAT32 and you want somewhat extensive support such as NTFS

 

Which species is better?

 

Basically, NTFS is the best for internal storage, especially with Windows. If you have an internal hard drive or an internal SSD, it cannot be completely abandoned, while FAT32 gives you greater hardware support and a wide range of compatibility, while exFAT gives you between the two types, wide and large support at the same time There are no big limits on volume.