Are exFAT and FAT32 the Same? Everything You Need to Know

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Cici 

Written by

Tracy King 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

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Are exFAT and FAT32 the same?

Many file systems are used in Windows, and has been a popular one for a long time. However, it has a limitation on file size. Then came exFAT, and there are significant differences between them.

ExFAT (Extended File Allocation Table) is a more advanced and superior format than FAT32 (File Allocation Table 32), with wider device and OS support, making it the ideal solution for removable devices and flash drives.

Thus, exFAT is not the same as FAT32; it was introduced as a replacement for it. The main advantage of using exFAT is that there are almost no limits on partition size, whereas FAT32 supports a maximum file size of 4 GB and a maximum partition size of 8 TB.

Should I use exFAT or FAT32?

Obviously, exFAT is better than FAT32, but whether you should use it depends on your specific needs. It works across multiple platforms, offers better performance, and supports larger volume formats.

Comparison between exFAT and FAT32: exFAT

Which format to use depends on the purpose.

If you're sure you won't be copying or moving files larger than 4 GB, then FAT32 is the better choice. On the other hand, if you need to handle large files, you should go with exFAT. Similarly, smaller storage devices like SD cards and USB drives tend to work better with FAT32, while external hard drives can use exFAT. There's one more reason to use exFAT, though—cross-platform support. If you need to copy files between different platforms, it's best to use this.

How to format or convert exFAT to FAT32?

One file system can be converted to another. For example, if you want to convert exFAT to FAT32, there are two ways. The first one is to use the Partition Master software, and the second one is to use the built-in tool in Windows.

Method 1: Use Partition Master – Easier for Beginners

AOMEI Partition Assistant can simplify the entire process, making it easy to format your device. Just download the software and format your device from exFAT to FAT32 with a few clicks:

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, right-click the partition you want to format and choose "Format Partition".

Step 2: In the new window, type in a volume label, choose FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4 file system and set cluster size as needed, then click “OK”.

Step 3: A warning window will appear. Click “Yes” to proceed.

Step 4. Click on the 'Execute 1 Task' button on the top left to preview the changes, and then click 'Apply' to begin formatting the partition to FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4.

The advantage of using this software over command-line tools is that it is less likely to be used incorrectly, thus avoiding data loss. So back up your device first.

Method 2: Using the Windows Utility through CMD

Diskpart is an built-in Windows tool used for managing and formatting partitions and partition data. You'll need to run it using an administrator account.

Step 1: Press Win+R to open the Run prompt, then type CMD. Next, use Shift+Enter to open the Command Prompt with administrator privileges.

Step 2. Type diskpart, and press Enter to launch the tool.

Step 3: After it launches, type in the following commands, replacing X with the number of the drive you want to format.

• List disks
• Select disk 2
• List partitions
• Select partition 2
• Format fs=fat32 quick

After it's done, right-click the drive and choose “Properties” to check its format type.

If you have learned how to format or convert exFAT to FAT32, please click the button below to share it with others in need!

How to Format or Convert FAT32 to exFAT

Just like we converted exFAT to FAT32, the reverse is also possible. Using the same Windows Diskpart tool through Command Prompt, you can format FAT32 to exFAT.

Step 1: Click on the "Start" menu, type "CMD," then right-click on Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator."

Step 2: Type Diskpart and press Enter to launch the Disk Management tool.

Step 3: Run the following command to perform the conversion:

• List Disks
• Select Disk 1
• List Partitions
• Select Partition 2
• Format fs=exfat quick

Check the drive's properties and you should see that it is now formatted as FAT32.

There are also other ways to format the drive to FAT32, which you can view in this video guide.

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exFAT is not the same as FAT32, and choosing the right format for your device matters

Now that you're familiar with both, the main difference between exFAT and FAT32 is that exFAT is used primarily for SD cards, large flash drives, and some external hard drives.

• If you need to transfer large files and have it work on almost any system, exFAT is your best choice.
• FAT32 is usually only used for USB-class devices because of its 4 GB limit. It's a bit limited in functionality.
• However, if you're using a portable drive, you should choose FAT32, as it has native support for portable drives.

No matter which format you decide for your storage device, Partition Master's “Format” feature can help you convert the file system with just a few clicks of the mouse.

Frequently Asked Questions about exFAT and FAT32: Which One Is Better?

If you have more questions about exFAT and FAT32, or want to know which format is best for your current situation, read on to find the answers:

1. Which is better, exFAT or FAT32?

• exFAT outperforms FAT32 in terms of read and write speeds. In other words, exFAT is faster when it comes to transferring data.
• FAT32 is the most compatible file system when compared to exFAT, NTFS, and others.

< strong > Can I use exFAT instead of FAT32? < /strong >

Yeah, you can use exFAT to replace FAT32 on most storage devices for file transfer and such. However, to optimize the performance of your storage device, you should choose the appropriate file system based on its size.

• 32 GB or smaller external storage device: Use FAT32. • 64 GB or larger external storage device: Use exFAT.

3. Is exFAT slower than FAT32?

It's said that exFAT has similar read and write speeds to FAT32. However, if you were to test exFAT and FAT32 with a professional benchmarking tool, you'd find that exFAT is actually faster at reading and writing data.