Fat16 Fat32 And Exfat File Systems

1. Format Fat16 Windows 10
2. Fat16 Vs Fat32 Vs Exfat
3. Fat16 Fat32 And Exfat File Systems Free
4. Fat16 File System

Dec 21, 2020 • Filed to: USB Recovery • Proven solutions

USB drives are something of daily use for a modern-day person. From listening to music to transferring important files from pc to pc, we use flash drives for a variety of reasons. These flash drives are plugged into several different devices and hence are at risk of corruption or malfunctioning and might require to be formatted at times. The USB flash drive can be formatted in a variety of ways like depending upon the operating system and other features.

Sometimes, certain devices may only read specific USB file systems. So learning how to format your USB to a new file system is something that will come in handy.

FAT32 (File Allocation Table) is the oldest of the three file system available to Windows. It was introduced all the way back in Windows 95 to replace the older FAT16 file system. Flash drives you to purchase will often come formatted with FAT32 for maximum compatibility across not just modern computers, but other devices like game consoles. What is FAT32 Format? FAT32 is an improved version of the FAT system which was introduced in.

Part 1: What is FAT32 Format?

FAT32 is an improved version of the FAT system which was introduced in 1996 by Microsoft with its Window95 OSR2 system. The purpose of its development was to be a better version of the FAT16 in terms of speed, performance, robustness, flexibility, and to support larger volumes.

Part 2: What Should You Do before Formatting a USB Drive?

A USB drive may contain songs, videos, documents, important files, etc. depending on the person who uses it. So most people don't prefer formatting unless they want to get rid of those files. Formatting can also be done on faulty USB drives in which case, the user should move all the data in it before deletion.

If a device is not being detected or faulty, formatting is the last step. The user should try all the options to make it visible whether it is a Windows or Mac. Even then if it doesn't work trying to repair and recover the files is the next option.

Part 3: How to Format USB to FAT32 on Windows 10?

In some cases, the USB flash drives need to be formatted to FAT32 as it is one of the most preferred and compatible file systems for both mac and windows. But, while trying to format a flash drive in the usual manner, problems may arise or the FAT32 option might not be available. In such cases, we can resort to alternative as well as simple methods to achieve the goal.

Let us have a look at how a USB flash drive can be formatted to FAT32 via file explorer as well as via disk management.

Method 1: Format USB to FAT32 via File Explorer

A common and easy way to format a USB drive to FAT32 is to make use of the File Explorer.

Step 1: Connect the USB drive or the desired external hard drive to the Windows 10 computer

Step 2: Launch the File Explorer and from it find the USB drive. Right-click on the drive and select Format

Step 3: Select the FAT32 type as the target file system and select the box beside Quick Format. Tap on Start to start the formatting process.

Format Fat16 Windows 10

When you are notified about the completion of the process tap OK. Your USB is now is FAT32.

Method 2: Format USB to FAT32 via Disk Management

Disk management is a built-in utility of Windows which is made to help users with the disk partition related problems or works. It is also one of the most preferred choices when it comes to formatting USB to FAT32.

Step 1: Right-click on My Computer and select the Manage option

Step 2: Under Storage tap the Disk Management option

Step 3: from the volume list select the thumb drive

Step 4: Right-click on it and then tap Format

Step 5: Select FAT32 format from the file system: list box

Step 6: tap OK

Part 4: Format USB to FAT32 on Mac - macOS 10.15 Catalina

Formatting a USB flash drive to FAT32 on Mac is easy as windows. To do so you can either use the disk utility or the terminal command line.

Method 1: Use Disk Utility

Follow the steps to format FAT32 with Disk Utility:

Step 1: Plug the USB drive that needs to be formatted to the Mac computer.

Step 2: Navigate to Applications and then to Utilities. Tap it twice to open.

Fat16 Vs Fat32 Vs Exfat

Step 3: Choose the drive that needs to be formatted and tap on Erase.

Step 4: You can rename the USB drive if needed. Choose the MS-DOS(FAT) to format.

Step 5: Select the Master Boot Record for the scheme and then tap Erase.

Step 6: When the process is complete the USB drive is converted to the FAT32 file system.

Method 2: Use Terminal Command Line

The command line also works in the same way as the disk utility to format the USB drive.

Follow the steps to format FAT32 with the Terminal command line:

Step 1: Plug the USB flash drive that needs to be formatted to a Mac computer.

Step 2: To run Spotlight press cmd + space and type: terminal and press Enter

Step 3: Type diskutil list and then find the drive that is acting as your USB

Step 4: Type sudo diskutil eraseDisk FAT32 MBRFormat /dev/disk2

• Sudo - grants you the user right.
• Diskutil – calls the disk utility program.
• erase disk – to command to format the drive
• FAT32 - selects the file system
• MBRFormat – pass information to disk utility commanding to format with a Master Boot Record
• /dev/disk2 - it is the USB drive location

The process may take some time to complete. Wait patiently. On completion type diskutil list in command box if you want to check whether the formatting had been successful

Part 5: How to Recover Lost Data after Formatting a USB Drive to FAT32?

The formatting USB drive is an easy task. But before formatting, some might be worried about the files or data in the USB drive. There may be irrelevant as well as very important files that can't be replaced in a USB drive. But what to do if the drive is a corrupt one or malfunctioning in some ways?

You need not worry as there are varieties of applications available in the market for recovering such files. An application like Recoverit helps you to recover almost all data, ranging from documents to big size videos from a USB drive even after formatting to FAT32.

Recoverit Data Recovery is one of the best and preferred applications in the market and the steps for data recovery are pretty simple and the same whether it be a Windows or a Mac. the recovery of data from an external drive can be done in these three simple steps

• Select a location
• Scan the location
• Preview and recover data

Recoverit Data Recovery - The Best File Recovery Software

Recoverit allows the user to recover any lost data regardless of the model and type of the external device. There is a high success rate in the recovery of files using Recoverit whether it be memory cards, external hard disks, cameras, USB flash drives, music players, etc.

Step 1: Select the external device/drive

Fat16 Fat32 And Exfat File Systems Free

To recover deleted or lost files from an external device, it needs to be selected as the target location for data searching and scanning

Step 2: Scan the removable media

A complete scanning will be initiated once you select Start. The scanning usually takes some time depending on the size of the USB drive In between the process, the desired files can be located and filtered.

Step 3: Preview of files and recovery

After the whole scanning process, Recoverit allows the user to preview the located files. All the files including photos, videos, documents, videos, audios, etc. can be previewed.

Then, select the files that you need to recover and tap the Recover bar.

All the files will be recovered and saved for your use.

Conclusion

The loss of files from a USB drive or the drive itself malfunctioning is a common issue in today's world. The loss of important files and data can have a huge impact on our domestic life as well as work. But, applications like Recoverit helps us to tackle these issues and move forward.

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Your new MacBook Pro comes is a beautiful device that comes with a catch. It doesn't have a ton of storage space at the lower price points. You will probably need a flash drive or external hard drive to get around not having enough storage space.

Maybe the previous situation doesn't apply to you, but you want a flash drive that you know will be able to transfer files between your OSX device and windows device. Enter ExFat drives and Fat32 drives. Both of these file systems are commonly found in flash drives and external hard drives. Knowing the benefits of these file systems, and the difference between the two, will be important to making an informed purchasing decision.

We look to give you a detailed explanation of the relative benefits of both ExFat and Fat32. We will explain the pros and cons of each of these file systems, and then compare the two.

Fat32

About

The Fat32 file system is an older file system that was introduced with Windows 95 OSR2. This file system allows for a default cluster size of 4kb and can support hard drives up to 2TB in size. This file system type is considered one of the most compatible file systems out.

• very compatible
• very common
• uses space efficiently

• can't store files that are large than 4GB

The Fat32 file system has a number of benefits.

First, this file system was created to be very compatible. This files system is compatible across Windows devices, Mac devices, and Linux devices. Even game consoles like the PS4, GameCube, and Xbox 360 can make use of the Fat 32 file system. Fat32 is commonly found in flash drives and hard drives so it is easy to obtain.

Most of the flash drives you will find on the market are Fat32. This is excellent for the summer as you don't really have to worry about proprietary technology on MacOS, or windows preventing you from using the drive wherever you want.

Lastly, Fat32 also uses space efficiently than previous versions of this file system type. Because Fat32 uses smaller clusters, it uses disk space 10% to 15% more effectively than the previous FAT16 drives.

While the Fat32 file systems have many benefits, it also comes with a few tradeoffs.

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One of the largest limitations surrounding the Fat32 file system, is that it can't store files that are large than 4GB. This means massive programs, like full video games that are not compressed, or operating systems like Windows 10 can't be stored on the Fat32 file systems. This means you will have to either compress the files or find another file system, ExFat, if you want to transfer large files.

Compression will be your friend with these types of drives. Using tools such as WinZip, or WinRAR, or any form of compression tool will allow you to make file sizes smaller. You could even split up an entire game program with WinRAR and store each piece separately.

ExFAT

About

The ExFAT was introduced by Microsoft in 2006 that was meant to be more powerful than Fat32. This file system is mostly used for embedded systems as it is lightweight and better suited to have low memory and low power requirements.

Because this file system is lightweight, and can work with low memory requirements, it is commonly used with flash drives.

• has a larger file size limit
• improved free space allocator
• ExFat drives is much faster

• not as compatible as other file systems

ExFAT was designed to get around the limitations that Fat32 has, namely the maximum file size allowed on the file system. ExFAT has a larger file size limit than Fat32 allowing for up to 16GB files to be stored on the ExFat file system.

This is excellent, namely for folks who record videos on SD cards, as it allows the person to take video that is longer than 20 minutes. Generally, if a movie exceeded the 4GB file limit, it would have to be stored as a separate video on Fat32 systems. This is not the case when you use an ExFAT file system.

• Auto backup with included WD Backup software and Time Machine compatibility
• Password protection with hardware encryption
• Trusted storage built with WD reliability

Fat16 File System

In addition to having a larger file size limit, ExFat also has an improved free space allocator, and delete performance. Because of the advances in technology with the introduction of the free space bitmap, performing delete operations on ExFat drives is much faster than on Fat32 drives.

While the 2006 ExFAT file system is an improvement over the 1995 FAT32 file system, it still has some downsides.

First, this device is not as compatible as other file systems, namely the FAT32 file system. There are some file systems that allow you to connect with consoles such as the Xbox 360. The ExFat file system does not allow for this same connection.

The older the device you have is, the higher the chance it won't support the ExFAT file system. That is because the ExFAT file system is based on newer technology that wasn't necessarily around when devices that utilized the FAT32 file system were in abundance.

• has a larger file size limit
• improved free space allocator
• ExFat drives is much faster

• not as compatible as other file systems

ExFAT was designed to get around the limitations that Fat32 has, namely the maximum file size allowed on the file system. ExFAT has a larger file size limit than Fat32 allowing for up to 16GB files to be stored on the ExFat file system.

This is excellent, namely for folks who record videos on SD cards, as it allows the person to take video that is longer than 20 minutes. Generally, if a movie exceeded the 4GB file limit, it would have to be stored as a separate video on Fat32 systems. This is not the case when you use an ExFAT file system.

• Auto backup with included WD Backup software and Time Machine compatibility
• Password protection with hardware encryption
• Trusted storage built with WD reliability

Fat16 File System

In addition to having a larger file size limit, ExFat also has an improved free space allocator, and delete performance. Because of the advances in technology with the introduction of the free space bitmap, performing delete operations on ExFat drives is much faster than on Fat32 drives.

While the 2006 ExFAT file system is an improvement over the 1995 FAT32 file system, it still has some downsides.

First, this device is not as compatible as other file systems, namely the FAT32 file system. There are some file systems that allow you to connect with consoles such as the Xbox 360. The ExFat file system does not allow for this same connection.

The older the device you have is, the higher the chance it won't support the ExFAT file system. That is because the ExFAT file system is based on newer technology that wasn't necessarily around when devices that utilized the FAT32 file system were in abundance.

ExFat vs Fat32

Now that you have an understanding of how the ExFAT file system and FAT32 file system work individually, we can discuss their relative merits. At the end of the day, you are in the market for a flash drive or hard drive that you can use, maybe even between multiple devices. We will compare both of these file systems based on the following merits:

• Speed
• File Size
• Compatibility

Speed

Both ExFAT and FAT32 were created to be iterations over a previous FAT file system. In FAT32's case, it was the FAT16 file system. In ExFAT's case it is the FAT32 file system. The ExFAT file system is faster than FAT32 depending on the types of operations carried out. Flexsense has an excellent set of tests that they used to compare the ExFAT and FAT32 file systems.

The most important tests Flexsense conducted are as follows:

• 
  
  • Test 1: Small files write to USB Disk Test (18,000 Files, 1GB of data)
• 
  
  • Test 2: Small files read from USB Disk Test (18,000 Files, 1GB of data)
• 
  
  • Test 3: Medium files write to USB Disk Test (100 Files, 1GB of data
• 
  
  • Test 4: Medium files read to USB Disk Test (100 Files, 1GB of data)
• 
  
  • Test 5: Large files write to USB Disk Test (10 Files, 1GB of data)
• 
  
  • Test 6: Small files read from USB Disk Test (10 Files, 1GB of data)
• Test 9: File delete operations test (20,000 files, 4GB of data)

Based on the results of this test, the ExFAT file system excels when performing write and read operations on small to medium files. However, the ExFAT file systems perform nearly the same as FAT32 when reading large files, and actually performs worse than FAT32 when writing large files.

The delete operation reveals that the ExFAT file system is much faster than FAT32 when it comes to clearing out space.

Based on the speed test of this device, we recommend a FAT32 file system if you plan on writing large files and can deal with the tradeoff of only being able to store a file size of up to 4GB.

File Size

When it comes to file size, the ExFAT is definitely the better choice over FAT32. While FAT32 may be more compatible with older devices, it can only store files that are up to 4GB large. This limitation makes the FAT32 file system less desirable compared to the ExFAT file system. If you want to transfer large files, go with ExFAT

Compatibility

The FAT32 has more compatibility out of the box than the ExFAT file system. Linux devices don't even support ExFAT file systems unless you use the appropriate drivers. Depending on what your needs are, you may be better suited using a FAT32 file system over an ExFat file system. However, if you are using new technology, we recommend using the ExFAT file system.

ExFAT vs FAT32 Which is Better?

At the end of the day, it comes down to ExFAT vs FAT32. The decision you will come to is based on a few different factors that we have touched on throughout this post. Consider the devices you would like to connect to. If you plan on using older devices, a FAT32 file system will probably be more compatible than using an ExFAT file system.

Next, consider how large the files are you are planning to store. Are you a filmmaker, or nature photographer who plans on timelapsing large vide sizes? You may be better suited using the ExFAT file system as it has less file size limitation when compared to the FAT32 file system.

Lastly, consider what you will be using the drive for. Do you plan on reorganizing files on your hard disk or flash drive? If so the FAT32 file system may be better for you, as it has faster read and write times for larger files. Or, do you plan on deleting a lot of files from your drive, say on an SD card. If so then using an SD card with an ExFAT file system type would be best for you.

Last update on 2021-03-12 at 01:48 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API