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What file system should I use with my USB storage device?


Good question if you are looking for the right file system for the USB data carrier!



1.) ... The correct file system for the USB storage device!
2.) ... Further technical facts about the file system for USB storage media!

1.) The correct file system for the USB storage device!

The first thing you should ask yourself is how big are my files?
Second, how big is the disk?

Almost all operating systems and media players can access FAT or FAT 32, but files over 4 gigabytes cannot be written here.

The exFAT has no restrictions, but is not supported by all operating systems.  

So you get to the NTFS, which also has no restrictions in terms of file size and is supported by most media players.

So for files under 4 GB and hard disks under 2 tera bits you can use the FAT32 file system, if not, then the NTFS.

See also: ► Data transfer too slow. W10 Defender activates itself again and again!




Tip:
You can activate the file system column under Windows 10, 8.1, ... in order to recognize the formatting of the hard drive and other data carriers immediately and quickly! ( ... see Image-1 )


(Image-1) The file system column under Windows 10 to recognize the formatting!
The file system column under Windows 10 to recognize the formatting!


Info:

A file system is a specialized method of storing and organizing your information on various storage media, including hard drives, solid-state drives  , pen drives , and other devices. It allows files and folders to be saved, changed, and read for applications and the operating system installed on your computer. When you format your internal drive or a flash drive, prepare it for your operating system to use as a storage medium. During this process, the file system is created. All information stored on the drive or partition is removed.


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2.) Further technical facts about the file system for USB storage media!

Choosing the file system for USB storage depends on several factors, including the operating system you use, the type of files you want to store, and compatibility with other devices. Here are some common options:


1. FAT32:

This is an older file system supported by most operating systems, including Windows, macOS and Linux. It is ideal for USB drives that need to be compatible with various devices such as televisions, game consoles and older computers. However, FAT32 has file size limitations (maximum 4 GB) and partition limits (maximum 32 GB).

2. exFAT:

This file system was developed by Microsoft and provides better support for large files and larger storage devices than FAT32. It is also cross-platform compatible, but not all older operating systems support it out of the box.

3. NTFS (Windows) / HFS+ (macOS) / ext4 (Linux):

These file systems are specifically optimized for specific operating systems and offer advanced features such as file permission support and larger file sizes. If you primarily use the USB drive with a specific operating system, using the appropriate file system may be beneficial.

4. APFS (macOS):

This file system is specifically designed for macOS and offers features such as improved encryption and fast file system metadata backup. If you use a USB drive exclusively with a Mac, APFS can be a good choice.

When choosing the right file system for your USB storage device, you should consider its compatibility with your devices, the features you need, and the possible file sizes.


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FAQ 18: Updated on: 15 April 2024 12:36 Windows
FileSystem

Hard disk is formatted with XFS format!


The XFS is a file system comparable to NTFS or FAT32 that is used under Windows 10, 8.1, Contents: 1. The XFS is a file system 2. features
FileSystem

USB data rate for USB 3.2, 3.1, 3, 2, 1?


The USB net / gross data rate and description of the USB 3.0 technology   Content: 1. The USB data rates 2. Why is it not always possible to
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How do I open an ISO file on a Windows (10, 8.1) computer?


You can unzip the ISO file on your computer with the usual compression archive program, they can also do this job without any problems. Content: 1.
FileSystem

Data transfer too slow. W10 Defender activates itself again and again!


It is indeed the case that data transfer is very slow under Windows 10 when Defender is activated Content: 1. Data transfer too slow because of Defender
FileSystem

Windows system file recovery program (example)!


The Windows system file checking and recovery program can be started at any time under Windows 11 / 10 / 8.1 / 7 Server 2019/2016 First information: This
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USB drives not recognized under Windows 11 / 10 / 8.1 / 7, why?


If USB doesnt show up on Windows in File Explorer, fix it with a new drive letter, or update the drive driver Formatting and converting from the drive
FileSystem

When deleting folder files the html file is also deleted, why?


It is simply this system rule - when deleting folder files the html file is also deleted, why -  The automatic deletion?   It sometimes happens when you

»»

  My question is not there in the FAQ
Asked questions on this answer:
  1. Is exFAT better than FAT32 for USB disks?
  2. How do I stop Windows Defender from blocking my file system changes?
  3. Which file system should I choose for a 1TB external hard drive?
  4. Why can't I copy files larger than 4GB to my FAT32 formatted USB stick?
  5. How do I enable file system column on Windows 10?
  6. What is the difference between FAT32 and exFAT?
  7. Does my old MP3 player support exFAT?
  8. Which file system is best for a USB stick with 32GB storage?
  9. Can I dual format my USB drive to use both FAT32 and NTFS?
  10. Can I use FAT32 for a 128GB USB drive?
  11. Do all operating systems support exFAT?
  12. How can I change the formatting of a USB flash drive on a Mac?
  13. Does my smart TV support exFAT or NTFS?
  14. Can I reformat my USB drive from FAT32 to NTFS without losing data?
  15. What are the advantages of NTFS over FAT32 and exFAT?
  16. Which file systems can be read by Windows, Mac and Linux?
  17. Why doesn't my media player recognize my exFAT formatted USB stick?
  18. Which file systems are suitable for streaming video from a USB stick?
  19. How do I format a USB stick to exFAT in Windows 10?
  20. How do I check the file system of my USB stick in Windows 10?
  21. Are there differences in speed between file systems?
  22. Which file systems are compatible with Mac and Windows?
  23. Is it safe to format a USB drive to NTFS?
  24. Can I use a USB drive formatted with NTFS on a Linux system?
  25. Which file system is best for large files?
  26. Are there any restrictions when using NTFS on a USB stick?
  27. Which file systems support file compression?
  28. Can I use FAT32 if I want to share files between Windows and Mac?
  29. Can I format my USB stick to exFAT to use with my camera?
  30. Why should I use NTFS instead of exFAT?
  31. Why is my exFAT formatted drive not working on my Android device?
  32. What are the disadvantages of FAT32?
  33. Can I use a USB drive with NTFS on my gaming console?
Keywords: filesystem, what, file, system, should, with, storage, device, good, question, looking, right, data, carrier, correct, Questions, Answers, Software




  

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