Each time the user is going to format the drive, whether it is a hard disk or a regular flash drive, he is faced with the question of which file system to choose: NTFS, FAT32 or exFAT. The differences between them are insignificant for a simple user, or even completely absent, so the features of each file system will be described later in the text.
What is a file system?
Before listing the differences between FAT32 and NTFS, you should figure out what it is all about. As could be inferred from the above, these are file systems. They are necessary for the only thing: providing users with the ability to interact with data on the drive using the tools of the operating system. Simply put, the file system is a library in which files are on the shelves instead of books.
There are actually many more file systems than what was presented above. Among the unmentioned, for example, ext4 and HFC, which are used in Linux and Mac OS, respectively, can be distinguished. But only three will be analyzed in the article: FAT32, NTFS and exFAT, because they are the most popular, if not the only ones, within the Windows operating system.
For the convenience of determining the differences between NTFS, FAT32 and exFAT file systems, we will compare them according to three most important criteria: compatibility, impact on drive wear and limitations.
Compatibility
We will begin, perhaps, with the most important aspect - with compatibility. The difference between FAT32 from NTFS and exFAT in this regard is quite large, but first things first.
Fat32
This file system is the oldest of the presented. Accordingly, it supports at least all devices, from desktop computers based on the Windows XP operating system to the radio installed in cars. All advanced operating systems work with it: Windows, Linux, Mac OS. If desired, flash drives with this file system can also be viewed on smartphones, however, for this you will need a special OTG adapter.
NTFS
NTFS is considered to be the Windows file system. So it is no accident. It was created by developers from Microsoft at the time when their system switched to NT architecture, hence the name. This fact imposes some restrictions on its compatibility. So, you can easily use the same flash drive on computers running Windows and Linux, and using additional software on Mac OS computers, however, the old player will refuse to recognize the device.
exFAT
This file system is newfangled. From here follows its main drawback - poor compatibility. You can use a USB flash drive with this file system only within the Windows OS and on Android and iOS smartphones.
Impact on chip wear
Now consider the difference between FAT32 and NTFS for a flash drive in terms of the effect on its wear. The fact is that any flash drive has restrictions on overwriting memory cells, respectively, the more often the flash drive is overwritten, the sooner it will become unusable.
Fat32
Here the situation is exactly the opposite of the previous one - FAT32 has such an organization that is great for working with small files, but it also manages to fragment them, as a result of which there are a large number of overwrites in separate memory cells.
NTFS
Since NTFS is a newer file system in comparison with FAT32, it’s better with the effect on flash drive wear. Due to the introduction of file indexing technology, developers were able to reduce the number of fragmentations. It follows that with the NTFS system, your flash drive will last an order of magnitude longer.
exFAT
If NTFS is a newer system than FAT32, then exFAT is the latest. She is best able to handle a flash drive, extending its service life to the maximum. So this is because the developers initially created it for portable drives.
Recording Size Limits
If you recorded large files on a USB flash drive, then most likely you are familiar with the situation when an error appears in such cases. This is due to file system limitations. What are the differences between FAT32 and NTFS in this regard?
Fat32
Perhaps FAT32 is again losing to its "competitors" in this matter. Due to its “age”, it is not able to accommodate a file larger than 4 gigabytes. In those days, when it was created, this indicator was unattainable, but everything changed, and 4 gigabytes now is a very small value. In addition, you can not write more than 512 files to the root directory on a USB flash drive with FAT32.
NTFS
This file system already copes with the loads that the previous one cannot withstand. In fact, there are limitations in it, but in the near future it will not be possible to approach them in any way, so it is now assumed that they are simply absent. You can easily write any number of files to the root directory and put a file of any size on the drive.
exFAT
If NTFS has no limits, then exFAT is even more so. You will encounter an error only if you try to write a file larger than 16 zettabytes in size, which is simply unrealistic, because there is no such file and there is no flash drive of this size. Well, it’s better to keep silent about the number of files in the root directory.
Which file system to choose
So we examined all the differences between FAT32 and NTFS and exFAT. As a result, you can give some recommendations for choosing a file system:
- If you want to use your USB flash drive to play multimedia files on older devices, then select FAT32.
- If you value the durability of your drive, format it in NTFS, and preferably in exFAT.
- When working with big data, categorically refuse the FAT32 file system.
- If speed of data writing is important to you, use exFAT, and if you still work with small files, then FAT32.
Conclusion
We hope you now see the difference between FAT32, NTFS and exFAT. Above, we tried to analyze all their features and nuances. You have the right to choose which file system of the following is best for you.