USB flash drives use different file systems to work: FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, HFS+ and EXT. Here are the best ones depending on the operating system
Transporting our videos and music from one device to another is not always easy and convenient. It depends a lot on the operating system we use. And how do we know if the files we are interested in will be compatible with Windows, Mac or Linux?
Let’s start from the beginning. A file system is a tool that allows you to manage file storage within your hard drive. We can imagine it as the index of a database that contains the physical place where the desired data is stored. It is with the file system that you choose how and when to store files. It is part of the management strategy of each operating system, and for this reason each manufacturer has developed its own file system. Users take file systems for granted when managing their documents, but it is essential to understand which file system to use according to their needs.
Common file systems
The most common file systems on Windows are FAT32, exFAT and NTFS. While on Mac the most used is HFS+ and on Linux we find EXT. But there are also many others in circulation, and for a user without specific knowledge it can be difficult to understand which ones to use. Also because each file system offers different ways to organize data on a hard disk. This is because only binary data is actually written to disks, and file systems provide a way to translate physical records on a hard drive to the format bound by a specific operating system. So if, for work or leisure, we need to transport files and use them on operating systems other than the ones we already use, we will have to format portable hard drives or USB sticks so that they can be compatible with all devices.
Differences between file systems
Of the various file systems, NTFS is the one used by recent versions of Microsoft’s operating system. ExFAT, on the other hand, is still designed for Windows but is lighter than NTFS, which has more complex storage management systems and is therefore heavier. The main problem, however, is not in the difference in operation of the various file systems but in portability and compatibility. For example HFS+ cannot write to NTFS formatted disks. And all file systems designed for Windows don’t even recognize HFS+. Worse is for those who use Linux EXT. The file system in question is in fact not compatible for reading and writing, except in some cases and with specific third-party software, with others designed for different operating systems.
Specific cases
Let’s see at this point which file system to use according to our needs. NTFS is compatible with Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 10, can only read macOS files, and is compatible with Linux but not with the PlayStation 4. While it can be used on Xbox One but not Xbox 360. FAT32 is the best of all for compatibility, in fact it can be used with all the devices listed above. ExFAT does not read files from MacOS 10.6.4 or lower versions and neither does it read files from PlayStation 4 and Xbox 360. HFS+ only reads on Windows 10 and is not compatible with XP and PlayStation 4. At this point it seems clear that for file portability on a USB stick, the best file system, for compatibility, is FAT32.
Size Limits
The main problem for FAT32 is the single file size limit, which is 4GB. For a total volume of 8TB. This is because compared to NTFS or HFS+ it was developed many years ago and is starting to feel the lag to more modern technologies. Despite this for those who often use a USB stick on various devices FAT32 remains the preferred file system. On the contrary if you only use Windows devices then NTFS may be the best solution. Same goes for HFS+ and EXT if you only use Mac or Linux.