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What Is a Windows File System: Definition, Comparisons, and Conversions

Updated on Updated by Linda on Jun 28, 2021  Reading time: minutes

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Part 1: Definition - What is the Windows File System?
Part 2: Three Main Windows File Systems and Their Key Differences
Part 3: Converting Windows File Systems: How to Change to NTFS Without Formatting

What is the Windows File System?

The new storage system in Microsoft's next-generation SQL Server is called Windows File System (WinFS). WinFS is a programming model that allows programmers to pass data between applications and organize it more effectively, and that also functions as a database for structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data.

The 3 Main Windows File Systems

NTFS: This is the primary file system for the latest versions of Windows and Windows Server, offering a comprehensive feature set that includes security descriptors, encryption, disk quotas, and rich metadata, which can be used in conjunction with Cluster Shared Volumes (CSV).
FAT32: The 32-bit version of the FAT file system, FAT32 was used on Windows PCs before the more powerful NTFS file system. You can still use FAT32 for USB drives, flash cards, and external hard drives.
exFAT: An upgrade to the FAT file system introduced by Microsoft in 2006, first appearing in Windows CE and Windows Vista (SP1). In Windows, the maximum file size increased from 4 GB in FAT32 to almost unlimited with exFAT.

Here is a comparison table of NTFS, FAT, and exFAT, where you can delve into the details of each file system, including its history, compatibility, limitations, and applications. Gaining this knowledge will assist you in deciding which file system is best suited for formatting your device.

Basics	NTFS	FAT32	exFAT
History	Windows uses the current version of NTFS by default.	FAT32 was introduced with the original Windows 95 operating system.	exFAT was introduced with Windows XP and Vista.
Compatibility	Works with all versions of Windows. Mac computers are read-only by default, and some Linux distributions might also be read-only. Few devices other than Microsoft's Xbox One support NTFS.	Works with all versions of Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, gaming consoles, and virtually any device with a USB port.	Works with all versions of Windows and modern versions of Mac OS X.
Limitations	No reasonable file or partition size limit.	Max file size is 4 GB, and full partition size is 8 TB.	No practical file or partition size limit.
Usage	You can use it for your Windows system drive and any other internal drives that only need to work with Windows.	Use it on removable drives when you need maximum compatibility with the widest range of devices (as long as you don't have files larger than 4 GB).	Use exFAT when you need larger file and partition limits than FAT32 allows and better compatibility than NTFS. You should format your drive as exFAT instead of FAT32 if every device you plan to use supports exFAT.

For internal drives, NTFS is the best choice, while exFAT is ideal for flash drives. However, if the devices you'll be using don't support exFAT, you may need to format external drives as FAT32.

How to Recover Files from Formatted USB/Flash Drive

Accidentally formatting a USB flash drive is not uncommon. When it comes to restoring a formatted USB drive, you have three common options to choose from, including data recovery software, flash drive backup, or CMD...

Windows File System Conversion: How to Convert to NTFS Without Formatting or Losing Data?

It's possible to convert each file system on a Windows machine. NTFS is better for internal drives, while exFAT is better for flash drives. You should always back up your data before performing any disk management operations.

If you want to convert the file system using the built-in Windows feature, Disk Management, you have only one option – “Format”. Unfortunately, this option will delete your data. If you don't want to lose your data, use a third-party partition management software tool like Partition Master.

A comprehensive partition magic software, like AOMEI Partition Assistant, can fully meet this need. It can convert FAT/exFAT to NTFS without losing any data. The software also supports:

Supports ExFAT, FAT16, Ext2/3/4, and various file systems.
Convert FAT/FAT32 to NTFS without formatting or data loss.
Supports unlimited conversions of 64GB/128GB USB to FAT32 format.
Offers advanced features like partition resizing, disk conversion to MBR/GPT, OS migration, and more.

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Guide: How to Convert FAT32 to NTFS Without Losing Data

Step 1. Install and launch Partition Master on your computer.

Step 2. Right-click on a FAT32 partition and select "Convert to NTFS." If you want to convert a storage device like an SD card or USB flash drive to NTFS, insert it into your computer first, then repeat this process.

Step 3: Click OK in the dialog box that appears to proceed.

Step 4: The conversion process will now start automatically. Wait for it to complete.

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