As we have already seen that fat32 is not capable to store the large files. Fat32 and ntfs are the most common formats, but whats the difference. Fat32, ntfs, and exfat are the three file systems created by microsoft which used to store data on storage devices. Storage hardware cannot be used without a file system, but not all file systems are universally supported by all operating systems. The main difference between exfat and fat32 is their maximum capacities. Dec 31, 2015 while you can only read ntfs drives on a mac, it offers reading and writing full support for exfat. The catch is, ntfs can be read by mac oses, but not written to without thirdparty software.
The exfat extended fat is another microsoft proprietary file system which finds its use in ball games where the fat32 feels out of breath. These are some of the most frequently asked and most widely searched terms over the internet, and thats the main reason for us to bringing out this file system comparison guide. This means you could record on a pc laptop and work on a mac desktop by coping the files over but do not expect the mac to put files back onto the ntfs drive. Fat32 is the oldest file system among those mentioned. Difference between ntfs, fat, fat32, and exfat file systems. The application of ntfs has grown but fat32 is still more universal. While exfat doesnt quite match fat32s compatibility, it is more widelycompatible than ntfs. If the drive comes formatted in ntfs, which is the default file system for. Therefore, slntfs is used as an interface on the apple ntfs driver to enable writing to ntfs drives on mac. Fat32 is the most common version of the fat file allocation table file system. The simplicity of fat32 has made it the file system of choice for portable storage mediums like in memory cards, mp3 players and flash players. Hence, today in this article we will detail each of them and explain which. Which mac file system is best for an external drive. Go finder window on you mac then click on applications the image right.
Whats the difference between fat32 vs ntfs vs exfat usb pen. This implies if you connect an ntfs formatted drive to a mac, you can duplicate the substance from it. Use it for ordinary works like for transferring low size files lesser than 4gb. Jul 26, 2019 as a matter of fact, writing to ntfs on apple is possible since mac os 10. Although the exfat is compatible with mac and some other devices, this system is not yet compatible with almost everything as fat32. Difference between fat32 and ntfs with comparison chart. We will simplify the difference between the two file formats in a nontechnical approach. To convert ntfs to fat32 in windows, you will have to reformat the ntfs partition to fat32.
Thus, you will confront no issues while replicating fulllength hd videos or movies on it which isnt the situation with fat32, if you insert an exfat sd card. Effective difference between fat32 and ntfs techaid24. The exfat extended fat is another microsoft proprietary file system that finds its use in ball games where the fat32 feels out of breath. When we format a hard drive internal or external whether it is a usb drive or an sd card, we can usually choose different file systems. A file system is the tool that lets an operating system read data on. There is yet a third drive format that can be used across these two operating systems without the need for special third party drivers. As such, it can easily be named using even harsh languages like hindi, korean or cyrillic. Another microsoft proprietary file system was introduced in 1993 with their windows nt 3. Jul 16, 20 we break down the differences between fat32 vs. What is the difference between fat32 exfat and ntfs. You can use it as removable storage as long as you know all the devices that will need to interact with it support the format, but otherwise, its probably best to go with fat32 or exfat. What is the difference between fat32 and ntfs and exfat file systems. Disk utility gives you five different choices for drive formats in os x lion. Fat32, ntfs, exfat are three different files systems used to store data in a storage device.
Difference between usb drive file systems ntfs vs fat32. Developed by microsoft, the ntfs new technology file system is shipped as the default of the windows nt family. Fat32 is a rather old file system, so it is not as efficient as the most modern, which is ntfs. Ntfs or new technology file system came into use in 1993 with the introduction of windows nt 3. Ntfs systems can only be read by mac, while fat32 drives can be both. A file system is especially for organizing a drive. To format a new drive to a different file system, select it and click erase. Now here is how to format your fat32 external drive on mac. While exfat is compatible with macs and will be compatible with some devices that dont support ntfs, like digital cameras it still isnt quite as. What are the differences between ntfs, fat32, and exfat. Jul 16, 20 fat32 is readwrite compatible with a majority of recent and recently obsolete operating systems, including dos, most flavors of windows up to and including 8, mac os x, and many flavors of unix. For linux, you can have access to exfat units by installing appropriate software for this. A computer filing system is how your computer manages the information that is stored on its hard drive.
Difference between fat32, exfat, and ntfs file system. What is the difference between ntfs and fat32 file systems. In comparison, fat32 has a maximum theoretical partition size of 16tb with 32gb being the more typical size. It is also compatible with gaming consoles as well as with any device with a usb port. As a matter of fact, writing to ntfs on apple is possible since mac os 10. Difference between fat32, exfat and ntfs file systems the earliest file system was introduced back in late 70s with the name fat or file allocation table. Apfs vs ntfs vs macos extended vs hfs mac optimization. As you must have noticed that, windows gives us the choice of using one of these three different file systems i. Here is the free software to convert ntfs to fat32 updated 2020. Jun 24, 2016 while mac os x includes only readonly support for ntfs, macs offer full readwrite support for exfat. Works with all versions of windows and modern versions of mac os x, but requires additional software on linux.
It was introduced with windows 95 to replace the older fat16 file system. While exfat does not quite match fat32s compatibility, it is more widelycompatible than ntfs. The first format, fat32, is fully compatible with mac os x, though with some. Thus in a windows computer system ntfs is a better option. Choose ntfs if the flash drive is using to install windows software or transfer files larger than 4gb. The successive major versions of the fat format are named after the number of table element bits.
May 22, 2020 the application of ntfs has grown but fat32 is still more universal. Use it for windows system drive and any other system partition which may be used to install software. Difference between exfat and fat32 difference between. Precisely because it is so old, it has become the defacto standard.
Nearly all usb drives, memory cards and devices come formatted with either fat16 or fat32 and can be read by nearly every device in existence. It specifies how data is stored on the drive and what types of information can be attached to filesfilenames, permissions, and other attributes. If you need to exchange files even occasionally with a nonwindows system like a mac or linux box, then fat32 will give you less agita, as long as your file sizes are smaller than 4gb. If you need the drive for a windowsonly environment, ntfs is the best choice. The fat system, in most cases, supports files up to 4 gb in size. Windows supports three different file systems which are ntfs,fat32 and exfat. But whats their difference and which should you choose. Even the xbox 360 from microsoft can not read ntfs drives, though the new xbox can. Dec 25, 2018 apples mac osx provides readonly support for an ntfsformatted drive and only a few linux variants are able to provide write support for ntfs. Oct 04, 2018 thus, you will confront no issues while replicating fulllength hd videos or movies on it which isnt the situation with fat32, if you insert an exfat sd card. The fat32 can work with more systems because it can be used on older ones and game systems, it does not have as many limitations for compatibility. By default, mac os x can read ntfs drives, not written for them. To nullify that limitation, ntfs is selected as the default file system with modern techniques to store the file with a large file and partition size. How to format wd my passport for mac and pc easeus.
Windowssupported operating systems rely on one of two different types of. When it comes to the file size, as mentioned above, the maximum file size that fat32 can support is around 4gb and the volume size maxes at. Fat32 is readwrite compatible with a majority of recent and recently obsolete operating systems, including dos, most flavors of windows up to and including 8, mac. What is the difference between fat32, exfat, and ntfs. Fat32, ntfs, and exfat are the three file systems users commonly use for windows system. While mac os x includes only readonly support for ntfs, macs offer full readwrite support for exfat. Oct 23, 2017 the fat32 can work with more systems because it can be used on older ones and game systems, it does not have as many limitations for compatibility. This microsoft developed system provides an order to all the files that are stored in a device. It is best used when you have files that are larger than fat32s limit of 4gb.
The fat32 file system is compatible with windows, mac and the linux operating systems. A lot of linux distributions dont support it natively but can with some software, and nonpc devices are even less likely to play nice with an ntfs drive. On mac, however, it natively runs in the readonly mode, forcing you to install thirdparty drivers such as tux ntfs for mac or paragon ntfs for mac to be able to write on such partitions. Apr 16, 2020 difference between fat32, exfat, and ntfs. It denotes how data is stored on the drive and provides information of the attached files names, permission and others. In addition, if the partition has a volume size larger than 32gb, fat32 wont emerge as a formatting option. Additionally, ntfs supports large file and volume size and provide efficient data organization. When it comes to the file size, as mentioned above, the maximum file size that fat32 can support is around 4gb and the volume size maxes at around 2tb. Choose fat32 if the usb drive is smaller than 32gb and doesnt require any security should be formatted in fat32.
Dec 21, 2018 fat32, ntfs, and exfat are the three file systems created by microsoft which used to store data on storage devices. Ntfs stands for new technology file system and fat32 stands for file allocation table. The difference between fat32, exfat, and ntfs web3mantra. Ntfs can be viewed by mac os, yet not cant compose without outsider software.
Aug 29, 2019 difference between fat32 exfat and ntfs fat32. What is the difference between ntfs and fat32 microsoft. What is the difference between fat32, ntfs and exfat. Other devices are still less likely to support ntfs. Using multiple operating systems in same computer would make fat32 a better choice if you want both oss to read the drive. Jul 24, 2018 the prior difference between fat32 and ntfs is that ntfs file system can trace the changes committed in the system with the help of maintaining the journal whereas this is not the case in fat32, even though fat32 is still used in removable media and storage drive.
The difference between ft32, ntfs, and exfat is the storage size that the file. Difference between ntfs, fat, fat32 and exfat file systems. Ntfs what they mean fat32 is the older of the two drive formats. Difference between fat32, exfat, and ntfs file system a file system provides a way of organizing a drive. The prior difference between fat32 and ntfs is that ntfs file system can trace the changes committed in the system with the help of maintaining the journal whereas this is not the case in fat32, even though fat32 is still used in removable media and storage drive. Here are the differences between them by focusing on several aspects. Apr 23, 2020 fat32, ntfs, and exfat are the three file systems users commonly use for windows system. Fat32 is an older file system thats not as efficient as ntfs and doesnt support as big a feature set, but does offer greater compatibility with other operating systems.
Apples mac osx provides readonly support to an ntfsformatted drive and only a few linux variants can provide write support for ntfs. Whats the difference between fat32, exfat, and ntfs. It can be used for flash drives and even systems like the ps4 and xbox one. It is awkward that most of the computer users dont care much about the meaning of available options and fea. The differences involve file size and transfer speed. Dec 04, 2019 difference between fat32, exfat and ntfs file systems the earliest file system was introduced back in late 70s with the name fat or file allocation table. And fat32, ntfs, exfat are three different file systems commonly. Compatible with linux, but additional software will. Install and launch aomei partition assistant, click all tools ntfs to fat32 converter. Using apples free disk utility app, you can easily format the drive, give it a. Whats more, fat32 can be converted to ntfs but its getting hard to convert ntfs back to fat, due to the facts that ntfs has great security, file by file compression, quotas and file encryption. All versions of windows, linux support the fat32 file system, even apples mac provides complete support it. Created by microsoft, these file systems have their own set of pros and cons.
The most common windows filing systems are the fat16, fat32 and the ntfs filing systems. Ntfs file system is more complex and offers multiple enhancements that increase security as well as performance. Apples mac osx provides readonly support for an ntfsformatted drive and only a few linux variants are able to provide write support for ntfs. In the popup windows, choose ntfs to fat32 and then click next. Therefore, scroll down until you see a folder utilities double click on it. The mac, on the other hand, can read an ntfs formatted drive it just cant write to it again, unless you use a third party software driver. This article will illustrate to the differences between the three, analyzing their pros and cons, compatibility and usage in an allrounded way. If there is only windows os, ntfs is perfectly fine. What is the difference between fat32 and ntfs and exfat. Let us looks at some of the most notable differences between exfat vs ntfs vs fat32. In this case, you are suggested to use minitool partition wizard to convert ntfs to fat32 without formatting.
This means you can store files that are larger than 4 gb apiece on a flash drive or sd card if its formatted with exfat. More devices support exfat than support ntfs, but some particularly older ones may only support fat32. While you can only read ntfs drives on a mac, it offers reading and writing full support for exfat. Behaves as a fusion between fat32 and ntfs by providing practically unlimited file size and partition size. Similarly, mac os extended drives work flawlessly with macos and not much else. Ntfs and fat32 are two most common file systems in windows pc. Difference between usb drive file systems ntfs vs fat32 vs. Osx can read files from a ntfs drive and copy them to its own os extended drive. Dont worry we are here to explain and help you understand the difference between fat32 vs. Oct 03, 2019 what is the difference between fat32 and ntfs and exfat file systems.