NTFS, FAT32 and exFAT: Comparing file systems

In short: Three common file systems for Windows and removable media: NTFS for system drives, FAT32 for maximum compatibility, exFAT for large files on USB sticks.

In more detail: A file system determines how files are organised on a storage device. When formatting a USB stick or a hard disk you choose one. The choice determines file size, device compatibility and features such as permissions or encryption.

In Depth

FAT32

Very old but readable by almost every device (Windows, macOS, Linux, game consoles, car radios, cameras). Disadvantage: individual files may be at most 4 GiB, and with Windows formatting the partition is limited to 32 GB (technically up to 2 TiB). There are no access permissions and no journal; if it is unplugged during operation, data is lost more easily.

exFAT

Developed by Microsoft for flash memory. No practical limit on file size, suitable for large videos and backups on sticks and SD cards. Modern Windows, macOS and Linux systems and most cameras support it. It likewise has no permissions and no journal. Good for exchange between operating systems.

NTFS

Windows’ standard file system. It offers access permissions (ACLs), a journal against data loss on a crash, compression, encryption (EFS), shadow copies, hard links and very large files and drives. macOS can only read NTFS by default, Linux writes via the ntfs3 or ntfs-3g driver. Ideal for internal drives and Windows media.

Which to choose?

• Internal hard disk or SSD under Windows: NTFS.
• USB stick for different systems and large files: exFAT.
• Older device or UEFI boot stick: FAT32 (the UEFI standard prescribes FAT for the EFI system partition).
• Pure Linux: ext4 or btrfs. Switching formats the device and deletes all data, so back up first.

See also: File systems and journaling, Linux file systems, Using and safely removing a USB stick