What is exFAT, What is the Difference with FAT32 and NTFS?

Almost every technological device we use in our daily lives has devices that allow it to store data. exFatIt has a data storage area, that is, a disk, in FAT32 or NTFS formats. These disks are divided into many types according to the data capacity they can store and their intended use.

These disks, where we store our information, have a certain format so that the data can be read on more than one device and data can be written to the disk through different devices. standard It is designed on. The three most well-known formats of these standard types, which we call the format of the disk, are: exFat, FAT32 and NTFS In our article, we will discuss the similarities between disk formats, their own characteristics and differences from each other.

What is exFAT?

Launched in 2006 exFAT The disk format system is a type frequently used in older versions of Windows such as XP and Vista. exFAT, a disk format type developed especially by focusing on portable storage areas with low storage capacity, is famous for eliminating the restrictions of FAT32.

exFAT, which allows storing single files with file sizes larger than 4 GB, has gradually increased its popularity thanks to its similarity with FAT32 in terms of compatibility with devices with various operating systems. macOS on a storage volume with exFAT format in the operating system both reading and writing The ability to perform transactions easily has led Apple users to use this storage unit.

Storage units formatted with exFAT can be easily stored in the Linux operating system after installing a special software. can be used. However, things get complicated when it comes to Sony Playstation and Microsoft Xbox game consoles. While exFAT, which has some problems at this point, can work with all its functions on the Sony Playstation 4 game console, it has compatibility problems with the Sony Playstation 3 game console. The same problem exists on the Xbox side. The exFAT disk format system, which can run on Microsoft's Xbox One game console, is compatible with Microsoft's Xbox 360 game console. with discord encounters.

• Compatibility: Compatible with all versions of Microsoft Windows and current versions of the macOS X operating system. Additional software becomes compatible with the Linux operating system. It can work with more devices than NTFS disk format type.
• Limitations: exFAT has no limitations (under real-life conditions of use).
• Areas of use: In cases where single files have larger file sizes than FAT32 offers and on platforms where the NTFS disk format system is not supported.

What are the differences between exFAT and FAT32?

FAT (File Allocation Table), which means file allocation table, includes other data storage format types that we mentioned in our article, including NTFS and exFAT. oldest disc format type. The innovative FAT32 disk format system, which was developed to replace the FAT16 disk format used in Windows 3 and MS-DOS operating systems, saw the light of day on the market with the Windows 95 operating system.

The FAT32 disk format continues to be widely used today. Purchased from any technology market USB sticks It usually meets its buyer in FAT32 disk format. The reason for this is that the FAT32 format has the advantage of being able to run smoothly on many platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux operating systems, as well as game consoles.

The biggest disadvantage of the FAT32 format is that the largest single file size you can store in this disk format is Not exceeding 4 GB. For example, if you have a video file larger than 4 GB, unfortunately you cannot store this video file on a data storage disk formatted with FAT32 technology. Unlike FAT32, there are no file size restrictions. exFAT The disk format type is preferred instead in this case.

Another disadvantage of FAT32, which is the format of many disk technologies in our daily lives, is that it cannot be used in data storage units larger than 8 TB. unavailable being. Disk capacities of 8 TB and above, which we started to see in our computer and external storage units, are replaced by FAT32, which has no limitations. exFAT makes the choice of technology even more widespread.

• Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, game consoles and almost anything with a USB port.
• Limitations: Individual file size can be maximum 4 GB and total disk capacity can be maximum 8 TB. exFAT This problem is eliminated with the disk format system.
• Areas of use: Portable storage units that can be used to transfer data between devices with different operating systems.

What are the differences between exFAT and NTFS?

NT File System (NTFS), which is very common because every storage unit on which Windows is installed is formatted with this disk format type, its limitations remain in theory and are not used in real life. will never be encountered It bears the title of being. When we look at its history, the NTFS disk format system, which was used for the first time with Windows NT, one of the Microsoft Windows operating systems, expands its usage area with the Windows XP operating system.

NTFS used by Windows is a type of exFAT format that eliminates the problem of the FAT32 disk format type being able to accommodate a single file with a maximum size of 4 GB. more modern It stands out with its features.

To ensure security, files permit procedures It is a system in which all changes made in the system are recorded line by line, which is very useful in cases of sudden system shutdown or error. logging system, which allows the file to be backed up even if it is in use fake copyWhile , disk size limit and many other new features are not available in the exFAT disk format type It takes its place in NTFS. The fact that these features are of critical importance for the storage unit hosting an operating system makes NTFS preferred over exFAT.

The storage that Windows users currently use on their computers is formatted with NTFS by the software before Windows is installed. When Windows operating system users want to add a second internal storage unit to their devices, it is recommended to select NTFS as the disk format system of this unit to avoid problems.

In addition to its advantages over exFAT disk format type, NTFS has a great compatibility issue is alive. NTFS, which can run on all Windows versions starting from Windows XP, falls short when it comes to other operating systems. While the macOS just reading operation can be performed.

Some versions of the Linux operating system support NTFS, while others can only read. None of the Sony Playstation game consoles support storage with the NTFS disk format type. does not support. Even Microsoft's own game console, Xbox 360, is in the NTFS format type. Unable to read. The percentage of other platforms supporting the NTFS disk format type is naturally quite low.

• Compatibility: It works with all versions of Microsoft Windows, but only writing is possible in macOS X. Some Linux versions have half support. Other than Microsoft Xbox One, other devices are unlikely to support the NTFS disk format type.
• Limitations: NTFS has no limitations (under real-life terms of use).
• Areas of use: On the storage where the Windows operating system is installed and on other internal storage that is expected to be used only with Windows.

The three most common disk format types are: exFATIn this article, we have compiled the similarities and differences between FAT32 and NTFS, as well as their compatibility, limitations and usage areas.