File System Comparison: NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and EXT – Which One to Choose?

This page aims to explain to you clearly what a file system format is and which file system is best for different uses. You can also easily change the file system format to NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, or EXT2/3/4 with a handy file system converter tool. Hence, there's no need to panic if your computer warns you of file system errors on a drive; you can solve common file system issues like a pro with the solutions provided here.

Are we ready? Let's do it.

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What is a file system?

Definition of a File System:

According to Wikipedia, a file system is a way for an operating system to organize data logically.

Why are file systems important?

A file system helps an operating system manage data and files in a logical manner. With it, users can easily access, protect, read, write, and modify data on a storage device.

Without a file system, data on a disk would be stored in an unordered fashion, requiring enormous amounts of storage and making it very difficult for users to access and locate the files they need. File systems also make it easier to recover lost files.

What is the relationship between a file system and an operating system?

To understand the relationship between a file system and an operating system, you need to know that:

How File Systems Work

A file system indexes all the data on a storage device, including a file's size, attributes, location, and hierarchical placement within directories. A file system also specifies a file's path via a structured directory arrangement organized in some fashion.

The structure of filesystem metadata

All the data about the contents of a file on a storage drive is stored in the file system's metadata:

< li >Creation date< /li > < li >Modification date< /li > < li >Last access date< /li > < li >Last backup date< /li > < li >File creator's user ID< /li > < li >Access permissions< /li > < li >File size< /li >

How does an operating system access the file system?

An operating system uses a file system to handle and access files on a storage device in the following ways:

• You create a partition on your hard drive or external drive.
• You assign a file system format to the drive.
• You store files in folders, directories, or subdirectories on the drive.
• The file system keeps track of the location of these files.
• Your operating system uses the file system to store and locate these files on your storage device.

Look at this image to understand the relationship between a file system and an operating system:

The type of file system format

While learning about the types of file systems, there are more than ten different kinds of them. These include disk file systems, flash file systems, tape file systems, database file systems, transactional file systems, network file systems, shared-disk file systems, special-purpose file systems, minimal file systems, and flat file systems.

Not those kind. We're talking about the file system format of your disk drive, also known as the disk file system format.

Here's a list of common file system formats used on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems:

• Windows File Systems - FAT, NTFS, exFAT
• macOS - HFS, APFS, HFS+
• Linux - EXT2/3/4, XFS, JFS, Btrfs

Which file system should I choose: NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, or EXT2/3/4?

So, what is the best file system format for Windows? NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, or EXT? Which one should you use? We'll dive deep into these three questions in this article. So, read on to learn when to use the right file system format on your drives.

1. NTFS (New Technology File System): This is the primary file system used in Microsoft Windows operating systems, especially after Windows XP. NTFS offers a more secure, stable, and efficient way to store and manage files, supporting large hard disk capacities and featuring advanced functions such as access control, file encryption, and disk quotas. 2. FAT32 (File Allocation Table 32): It is a member of the FAT file system family, originally developed by Microsoft. FAT32 is commonly found in earlier versions of Windows and portable devices like USB drives and digital cameras. Compared to FAT16, it allows larger partition sizes and more efficient disk space management but does not support individual files larger than 4 GB. 3. exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table): Created by Microsoft to overcome limitations in FAT32, exFAT is designed for high-capacity storage devices. It removes the 4 GB file size restriction of FAT32 and improves read-write speeds. It is also designed for cross-platform compatibility, working on both Windows and certain Unix-based systems (including Mac OS X). 4. EXT2/3/4: These are the most common file systems used in Linux operating systems. EXT2 was the earliest version, which later evolved into EXT3 with journaling capabilities to enhance data recovery. EXT4 further improved performance and reliability, supporting larger file systems and file sizes. The EXT series file systems are widely adopted in the Linux community, particularly in servers and embedded systems.

First, let's get to know the NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and EXT2/3/4 file systems.

1. NTFS File System

The NTFS file system is considered as the default file system format in Windows operating systems and outperforms the FAT file system in some aspects. Check the list below for more information:

- Initial Release: 1993 - Developers: Tom Miller, Gary Kimura, Brian Andrew, and David Goebel. - Latest Version: V3.1 (commonly referred to as NTFS 5.1)

NTFS File System Structure:

The NTFS file system consists of five components: the Boot Record, MFT1, MFT Metadata, MFT2, and Data Area.

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2. FAT or FAT32

FAT, or File Allocation Table, is a file system developed for personal computers. Originally created in 1977 for use with floppy disks, it was later adapted for hard drives and other devices. Owing to compatibility reasons, FAT is still supported by current operating systems for personal computers and many mobile devices and embedded systems, enabling data exchange between different systems. —— From Wikipedia

According to Wikipedia, FAT32 is a successor to FAT16, designed by Microsoft as a new version of the file system. FAT32 supports more clusters and reuses most of the existing code. This file system overcomes the volume size limitations of FAT16, allowing DOS real-mode code to handle formatting.

• Initial Release: 1977
• Developers: Microsoft, NCR, IBM, Caldera, and others.
• Latest Version: FAT32

FAT File System Structure:

The FAT file system mainly consists of four parts: the reserved sector, the FAT area, the root directory area, and the data area.

3. exFAT File System

According to Wikipedia, it's clear that the exFAT file system is a new format designed primarily for removable storage devices like USB flash drives and SD cards.

- Initial Release: 2006 - Developer: Microsoft - Latest Version: exFAT

exFAT file system structure:

The exFAT file system consists of four main components: the Master Boot Sector, the Backup Boot Sector, the FAT area, and the Data Area.

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4. EXT File Systems – EXT2/3/4

According to Wikipedia, the EXT file system is a Linux format that supplanted the MINIX file system.

• Initial Release: 1992
• Developer: Rémy Card
• Latest Version: EXT4

EXT File System Layout:

An EXT file system is divided into one block and two groups: the boot block, block group 0 (which contains the superblock, the group descriptor table, the data block bitmap, the inode bitmap, the inode table, and the data blocks), and block group n.

What's the difference between NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and EXT2/3/4?

What's the difference between NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and EXT2/3/4 file systems? The biggest difference is that these file system formats are designed for different environments and purposes.

Comparison: NTFS vs. FAT32, FAT32 vs. exFAT, and exFAT vs. EXT2/3/4

Here we compared NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and EXT2/3/4, listing all differences in this table. Let's have a look at them:

This table shows which operating systems support these file systems, and that they have different limits for maximum file size and volume size.

Want to know more about the differences between these file systems? Click here for more detailed information: Differences between NTFS, exFAT, and FAT32, NTFS vs. FAT32, and Best File System for USB.

Which file system should I use – NTFS, FAT32, exFAT or EXT?

When should you use NTFS, exFAT, or FAT32? We've compared the file systems and have some recommendations for you.

Here are some correct uses of the file system:

On Windows systems:

• NTFS - Ideal for operating system or data drives, large file storage or transfer (over 4 GB), and game disks.
• FAT32 - Best for external game drives, Android storage cards, or small capacity USB or SD cards (32 GB or less).
• exFAT - Suited for oversized external hard drives (64 GB or more) for storing super-sized files, like 8K videos.

On macOS:

• APFS - macOS 10.13-10.15, External SSD
• HFS+ - Mac OS X (up to 10.15), Time Machine backups, mechanical hard drives
• ExFAT - For use with both Mac and Windows, external hard drives
• MS-DOS (FAT32) - USB flash drives, for saving individual files up to 4GB in size on USB devices.

On Linux:

•EXT4 is currently considered the best Linux file system.

Tutorial: How to Change File System Format from NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, or EXT2/3/4

Now that you know which file system is best for your needs, how do you go about changing the file system format? And how can you effectively change the file system on a drive or external storage device? That's what we'll cover next.

Two ways to change the disk file system:

• #1. Convert the file system to NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, or EXT2/3/4
• #2. Use a third-party tool to convert the file system to NTFS/FAT32

So, when should you format or convert a file system? Both methods can help average users switch file system formats on storage devices or built-in disks of computers.

But when should you use one approach over the other? Here are some guidelines:

#1. Format the disk to convert the file system between NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and EXT2/3/4

- **Advantage:** Changes the file system directly by formatting the disk. - **Disadvantage:** Formatting will delete all existing data on the storage device. - **When to use:** For new hard drives, or for used data drives/USB flash drives or SD cards without important files. - **Tools needed:** File Explorer, Disk Management (on Windows).

Note: Formatting a drive to a new file system format will erase all existing data, so make sure to back up any important content on the disk to a safe location first.

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#2. Use a third-party file system conversion tool to convert the file system to NTFS/FAT32

• Pros: Easy to use, no data loss, no need to format.
• Cons: Only supports converting NTFS to FAT32 and FAT32 to NTFS.
• Situations: Switching the file system of a data drive with important data without losing any.
• Tools: Third-party file system conversion tool or FAT32 converter.

To convert file system formats seamlessly and effortlessly, you can use the Partition Master tool with its "Convert" feature. It allows you to switch between NTFS and FAT32 file system formats without losing any data. This software even supports changing the file system to Linux formats – EXT2/3/4.

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Just follow these steps to change the file system format on the disk. Then, your storage device will acquire the required file system format and be ready for its new assignment.

"File System Error Troubleshooting - Comprehensive Solution"

With the methods above, it's easy to change the file system format on a storage device or Windows computer. But what if your computer hard drive or external storage device has an unknown file system error and won't let you perform certain operations? What can you do?

Below is what you can learn and acquire here. First, acquaint yourself with the symptoms of a file system error and get effective solutions to fix it right away.

Symptoms of a Corrupted File System

Even if you don't know what caused the drive failure, you can look for the following symptoms. If one or two errors show up on the disk, you need a solution to fix the file system errors and get your drive working properly again:

• NTFS file system errors - Blue Screen of Death, boot loops, etc.
• RAW file system errors
• Stop Code: File System
• File too large for the target file system
• The volume does not contain a recognized file system
• Device or disk cannot be accessed
• Device not showing in File Explorer but appears in Disk Management

What are file system errors?

There are many reasons that can lead to file system errors on a drive, such as:

• Virus, malware, or spyware infection
• Sudden power failure or unstable power supply
• Interrupted file transfer
• Bad sectors on the hard drive
• Improperly disconnecting a device, etc.

Solve File System Errors - The Comprehensive Guide

How do I fix file system errors on a disk? Follow these steps:

Step 1: If the drive is still recognized, recover your data first.

If you've lost some important files on a problem drive, it's recommended that you first scan and recover all existing data using a reliable third-party data recovery software.

Data Recovery Wizard Pro is one of the tools you can trust.

2. Run the File System Checker – to check and fix file system errors immediately

Windows operating systems come with a built-in disk utility called Check Disk, which you can run to scan your disk and fix existing file system errors on the drive:

• Press ⊞ Win + E to open File Explorer.
• Right-click the problematic drive, then click Properties.
• Go to the "Tools" tab, then click Check under "Error checking."
• Click "Scan drive" to scan and fix any errors that it finds.

Part 3: Advanced troubleshooting for complex file system errors

Please note that the causes of filesystem errors can be quite complex, and so can their fixes. If your disk has some complex filesystem errors, check out the solutions below to see if you can find an immediate fix here:

• File system is RAW - Convert RAW to NTFS without formatting or formatting
• File too large for the destination file system on USB/external hard drive
• File system corruption detected on local disk
• The volume does not contain a recognized file system
• File system reported as RAW; CHKDSK cannot be used

Suggestion: If the provided solution does not resolve your issue, you can utilize the search function on our website or reach out to our support team for assistance via email at techsupport@tools.com.

Conclusions

On this page, we will delve into what file system formats are and the most popular file system formats for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

In short, if you're not sure which file system to choose, consult this list to set the right one for your device:

- FAT32: Suited for USB/SD cards 32GB or smaller, compatible with Windows, Mac, and Android devices. - NTFS: Designed for Windows disk partitions, enables the transfer of large files over 4GB and is also used for game disks. - exFAT: Ideal for external hard drives or USB drives 64GB and above, compatible with both Windows and Mac. - EXT4: Created for specific Linux environments to form partitions. - APFS: The latest disk format for macOS operating systems.

There are several ways to change the file system to NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, or EXT, including File Explorer, Disk Management, and even CMD. However, when it comes to the simplest disk formatting tools, they're not among the first choices.

A third-party disk conversion tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant is always at your service. It's simple, user-friendly, and safe for certain file system conversion tasks.