Format Ntfs Exfat
For NTFS: format E: /fs:NTFS For exFAT: format E: /fs:EXFAT. Step 4: When prompted, press Y (for Yes) or N (for No) to continue or stop the formatting. Things to remember when formatting to NTFS. When formatting to NTFS file system, you need to remember to enable the “removal policy” of the USB to the “better performance” option. The exFAT format means “Extended File Allocation Table”, and as the name suggests it can also be described as the extended version of the other classical FAT systems. In simple words, the exFAT System is a more flexible and better-optimized version of FAT32 and NTFS file system. From the brief comparison between NTFS and exFAT, there is no clear answer that which format is better for SSD drive. If you want to use the SSD on both Windows and Mac as an external drive, the exFAT is better. If you need to use it only on Windows as an internal drive, the NTFS is a great choice. Inspired from Convert FAT32 to NTFS Without Formatting or Losing Data, some time ago, but bookmarked it.device manager is a better option than installing other extra programs, but this is the way of enjoy ntfs file system option with data loss Follow the next steps. NTFS will outperform ExFAT for updating your games (although networking unpredictability is probably why you saw any advantage with ExFAT). With NTFS filesystem caching is better, finding files is faster, writing files is faster.
You might have heard about the terms of FAT32, NTFS or exFAT and need to decide which one to choose as the best file system for your SD card or USB flash stick. Don’t worry. In this article, we are going to introduce the three file systems so that you’ll know the difference between FAT32, NTFS and exFAT as well as their pros & cons and compatibility.
In order to avoid problems like slow USB transfer speed or “the file is too large for the destination file system”, it is necessary to know all the features and limitations of different file systems. For example, Windows operating system gets installed making the use of NTFS file system for partition formatting. In a similar way, FAT32 is used for files in removable disk drives and other such devices which have interface-based storage to keep the files. Basically, the exFAT file system is the modified derivation of FAT32. Keep looking if you need more information to differentiate FAT32, NTFS and exFAT files systems.
File System
While we are working with computer and other storage devices, all the workabilities are based on some kinds of algorithm and coding. There are some rules which are implemented to bring out that feature and function of every system. The file system is one of such sets of rules which are derived to process the data storage and keep it secured in a storage device. The computation system is brought in use to store the files in a secured manner.
File system surely is important to make the data stored with its value in the storage device. If it is not there, then only the undefined data will be stored in it. There are many types of file systems which can be used to store the files in different storage options or devices. They are Flash File System, Disk File System and many others. FAT32, NTFS and exFAT are the types of Disk File System.
How to format a USB stick to FAT32, NTFS or exFAT:
It is very easy to format a storage device to any of the three file systems on a Windows computer. Just right click on the disk drive in Windows File Explorer and choose Format, then you will get the options.
Allocation Unit Size
Allocation Unit Size, also known as Cluster Size is an important part of file systems. On a partition of the file, the smallest space occupied by it is termed as Allocation Unit Size. You can vary the file size as per your need ranging from 4096 to 2048K. At the time of formatting, the default allocation unit size is applied to all the files. The file is stored into the same number of pieces as its allocation unit.
Tips: Due to the mechanism of file systems, the data you deleted is not immediately removed from storage devices before new data is saved. Therefore, it is still possible to recover lost files from SD card, hard drive, USB flash stick or computer with a good data recovery software.
1. FAT32 File System
FAT stands for File Allocation Table which is one of the oldest file systems used for storage of data. Initially, it was designed as an 8-bit FAT file system to store the data into an 8-inch floppy disk.
With many modification and advancement, FAT32 was introduced in 1995. It is a great aid to store the files into the removable or external storage device or drives. Up to 4 GB of single file and a total of 8 TB as the maximum disk size for FAT32. So, it is used to store only the small files not the apps or files having a large size. To overcome this limitation of FAT32, NTFS is used.
Compatibility: All version of Windows, Mac, Linux, and almost anything with a USB port.
Pros:
- It is an amazing file system to store files in flash drives.
- It is lightweight and has cross-platform compatibility.
Cons:
- You can only store files having a size-limited up to 4 GB and partition size up to 8 TB.
2. NTFS File System
As we have already seen that FAT32 is not capable to store the large files. To nullify that limitation, NTFS is selected as the default file system with modern techniques to store the file with a large file and partition size.
NTFS or New Technology File System came into use in 1993 with the introduction of Windows NT 3.1 operating system. It is capable to store almost all types of files with a high range of file size limits. In other words, it is capable to store all types of files available at present.
NTFS is also featured with disk usage quotas, reparse points, sparse file support, file-level encryption and distributed link tracking. Moreover, it is also designed so as to display backward compatibility. That means, it is not limited to be used with any latest version. You can use this file system to store using any previous versions. However, this file system is somehow limited to Windows XP and later versions of Windows. You can only read the formatted files of NTFS using Apple’s Mac OSX. You can edit the file of NTFS using some particular versions of Linux.
Compatibility: All version of Windows, Microsoft Xbox One, Mac (read-only) and Linux (write support for some versions)
Pros:
- There is an inexhaustible limit of files to be stored using NTFS. You can store a file of any partition size.
- It is mainly used to store files in internal hard drives.
- It is used for the installation of software as well.
Cons:
- It is compatible with limited cross-platform.
- You can not edit the NTFS formatted file using Mac.
3. exFAT File System
exFAT or extended FAT is the modified and advanced file system which is used to fill the space of FAT32. It is mainly used in modern digital cameras and in ball games. Moreover, it is also used to format the high capacity SDXC memory cards. It is capable to support the formatting storage of large files and is lightweight as well. This is the reason why exFAT is considered in many fields where there is a need to support files larger than 4 GB. exFAT SD card is used in daily life for many purposes where the FAT32 is not capable to support due to its limitations of file size. You can copy a full HD movie easily using exFAT SD card and do many other such works.
At present, Microsoft is looking after the US Patent 8321439 which is developed for accelerating the file search speed. It is named as Quick Fine Make Lookup through which one can find his/her file by using Name hashtag or such keywords. This set of the specification has not yet brought up for the exFAT file system due to which this file system users are using a restricted licence over their files. They can get access to the file’s licence completely after the release of full specification set by Microsoft. Due to this, vendors from many countries are not using the exFAT file system for the open-source operating system or any commercial software.
Compatibility: Windows XP and later versions, Mac OS X and later versions, Linux (using FUSE), Android
Pros:
- It is lightweight as compared to NTFS.
- It is an intermediate solution over FAT32 and NTFS.
- You can read/write the exFAT formatted files using compatible Mac version as well.
- More devices support exFAT than NTFS.
Cons:
- Its usage is restricted by Microsoft and does not give complete access over the licence to the user.
Verdict
Hence, you have seen all the basic and important features of these three file systems. Now, it will be easy for you to differentiate these file systems and select them appropriately for storing and formatting your files. Generally, exFAT is ideal for flash drives, NTFS for internal drives, and FAT32 is more widely supported by devices. However, in some cases, it is necessary to format a storage device as a file system against the regulation above in order to make the device work smoothly. If you have any queries related to these file systems, or whether you really need to safely remove USB, write it to us using the comments section.
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Dec 16, 2020 • Filed to: USB Recovery • Proven solutions
If you work in an environment where you constantly use a flash drive between a Windows and Mac computer, you may find that you constantly have to format USB drive. One way to permanently solve this problem is to format usb flash drive to exFAT, a platform-independent file system.
Which Format to Choose? FAT32, NTFS, or exFAT?
Before we get into the actual process of formatting USB drive to exFAT, we need to understand exFAT and other files systems, specifically, FAT32 and NTFS.
- FAT32: FAT32 is the oldest file system. FAT is an acronym for File Allocation Table. FAT32 was introduced way back in Windows 95 and was the successor to the older FAT16 that was used on Dos and Windows 3. It currently works on all Windows versions, Mac and Linux. This is the reason it is also one of the most ubiquitous file systems and comes pre-installed on almost all USB you buy at a store. Unfortunately, FAT32 comes with limitations. One of the biggest drawbacks is a maximum file limit size of 4GB. In today's world where video files can often be larger than that, FAT32 is often impractical. FAT32 also limits partition sizes to 8TB.
- NTFS: NTFS or NT file system is the default file system used by Windows. NTFS has a huge file size and partition limits that are theoretically impossible to surpass. It originally debuted in Windows NT and later in Windows XP. NTFS is compatible with Windows but files can only be opened in read-only mode in Mac and some Linux distributions.
- exFAT: exFAT is an acronym for the Extended File Allocation Table. It was created by Microsoft to replace FAT32 and address its limitations. The system has a file limit size of approximately 16 exabytes (over 1 billion gigabytes!) and is compatible with both Windows and Mac. exFAT formatted USB drive has no realistic partition size limits.
From the above descriptions of the three of the main file systems, it becomes immediately apparent why you would need to format a flash drive to exFAT. The most common reasons include:
- Store large files. As already mentioned, the FAT32 file system has a file limit size of 4GB. In such a situation, you need to format the USB to exFAT to accommodate large file sizes.
- You continuously use a flash drive between Windows and Mac. In such a situation, your USB drives need to use a file system that is compatible with both operating systems. ExFAT formatted USB drive solves this problem beautifully.
- The nature of your work requires you to have large partitions for different types of data. For example, you may want to create a different partition for media such as images and videos.
How to Format flash drive to exFAT?
As mentioned earlier, the exFAT system is ideal for large files and partitions. If your USB is small, for example, 4GB, it may not make sense to format it to exFAT because you will never be able to store files larger than 4GB, unless you have the need to transfer files between macOS and Windows devices. For small USB drives of under 32 GB, you can format flash drive to either FAT32 or exFAT.
Method 1: Using the File Explorer
Step 1: Plug in the USB into the computer and wait for it to be detected.
Step 2: Once it's recognized, open Windows File Explorer and navigate to the disk location. Locate the USB drive under This PC. Right-click and select Format.
Step 3: Click on File System and select exFAT from the dropdown. Check the Quick Format checkbox if it isn't already ticked.
Step 4: Click Start to begin the process. You will get a pop-up warning you that, 'Formatting will erase ALL data on this disk. To format the disk, click OK. To quit, click CANCEL.' Click 'OK' and wait for the progress bar to finalize. If the format is successful, you will get prompt as shown below. Click 'OK' and begin using the drive or eject it safely.
Method 2: Using Disk Management
Disk Management is a Windows utility tool that helps you manage all your drives from one area. It is packed with several features that allow you to format thumb drive, change drive letters and paths, add mirrors, extend, shrink and delete volumes, and much more.
Step 1: Plug in your USB drive and wait for it to be detected. Once detected, type Disk Management in the Windows Search bar and click 'Create and format hard disk partitions' to launch the Disk Management Utility.
Step 2: Right-click the flash drive and select the Format option.
Step 3: Type a name in the Volume Label field to help you quickly identify the drive in File Explorer.
Step 4: In the File System drop-down menu, select NTFS, FAT32， or exFAT, and tick the Perform a quick format option.
Step 5: Click OK and wait for the process to complete. Once complete the drive has been formatted to exFAT. You can now use it or unplug it safely from the PC.
The process to format larger drives, that is, above 32 GB is more or less the same. You can use both methods outlined above. But, to ensure you don't encounter any errors, the additional two methods below are recommended for larger flash drives.
Method 3: Using the Command Prompt
The Windows Command Prompt takes much longer but is the best way to format flash drive, and deal with any problems such as 'Windows was unable to complete the format'.
Step 1: As with Method 1, plug in the flash drive and wait for it to be detected.
Step 2: Once detected, type 'CMD' in the Windows search bar and launch the Command Prompt.
Step 3: All drives on a Windows computer usually have letters assigned to them. For example, the hard disk is almost always C. Any additional drives connected to the computer are allocated subsequent letters. For example, D, F, and so on. E is usually reserved for the optical drive (CD/DVD) if the computer has one. For this example, our flash drive is letter D. You can find out the letter allocated to your USB by navigating to This PC and taking note of the letter in brackets.
Step 4: Type 'format D: /fs:EXFAT' and press enter. Remember to make sure the letter you type corresponds to the letter allocated to the USB drive plugged into your PC.
Step 5: Press Enter when ready and the process begins. When complete, you will be asked to enter a Volume Label to identify the drive. Enter a name and press Enter to complete. Begin using the flash drive or eject safely.
Do you know that Command Prompt can even help you recover deleted files! ⬅ Learn more about this cool trick!
Method 4: Using Windows PowerShell
The Windows PowerShell is similar to the command prompt and is effective at quickly formatting large USB drives to exFAT. It also has an extra feature to force a full format.
Step 1: Plug in your flash drive and ensure it has been detected.
Step 2: Launch Windows PowerShell by typing PowerShell in the Windows search bar. Launch the Windows PowerShell application by clicking on it.
Step 3: To perform a quick format, type in the following command 'Format-Volume -DriveLetter DRIVE-LETTER -FileSystem exFAT'. Replace 'DRIVE-LETTER' with the drive letter allocated to your flash drive by the PC. For this example, the command looks like this, 'Format-Volume -DriveLetter D -FileSystem exFAT'. To perform a full format, type 'Format-Volume -DriveLetter D -FileSystem exFAT -Full -Force'. Once again ensure the drive letter corresponds with your system.
Step 4: Press Enter. Once the process is complete begin using the USB or eject safely.
Part 3. Recover Lost Files from Formatted USB Drives
Ntfs Fat32 Exfat
Finally, we need to address a common problem that you may encounter while format flash drive to exFAT. You may experience a situation where the format fails, the USB drive is accidentally ejected or there is an unexpected power shutdown. One of the things that may happen is that the disk may become corrupted and you lose your data. You may also format a flash drive and forget to make a backup or, mistakenly assume you have a copy of the files in some other place. The only to recover lost files from formatted USB drives is by using Wondershare Recoverit.
Wondershare Recoverit is a nifty data recovery tool that is compatible with both Windows and Mac. With Wondershare Recoverit, you can recover lost and deleted files in a few minutes from flash drives and all other types of external media, internal hard disks, recycle bins, and even crashed computers.
How To Format Ntfs To Exfat
Step 1: Plug in the Flash Drive
Connect the flash drive that contains the data you want to recover. Ensure that the device is detectable. If Windows offers to scan and repair the device, proceed and do so until the device is detectable.
Step 2: Launch Wondershare Recoverit on Windows
Next, launch the Wondershare Recoverit app on Windows. Click the Desktop icon or type 'Wondershare Recoverit' in the Windows Search box, and click Open to launch it.
Step 3: Select the USB Drive
Next, select the USB drive from the External Devices section as shown below, and click the Start button to begin recovery.
Step 4: Scan the USB Drive
An all-around scan initiates on the USB drive. Give it a few minutes to complete. You can pause and continue the scan at any point. Once the process terminates, check the button against the files you want to recover. You can also select all files if needed by checking the box adjacent to the Name field.
Step 5: Preview and Recover
You can preview each file before clicking Recover. Once you click the Recover, you have the option of saving the files in another location on your computer.
Convert Ntfs Exfat
Part 4. Common Errors That Lead to Format Failure
Before we explain how to format flash drive to exFAT, let's examine some of the reasons a flash drive will not format to exFAT on Windows. Understanding this will save you the unnecessary headache of having to troubleshoot later on.
Depending on the Windows operating system you are using, some of the most common errors you get when you can't format a thumb drive to USB exFAT include:
- 'There is a problem with this drive, scan the drive to fix it' – this usually happens if there was a problem due to unexpected power shutdown or removing the disk before it was safe to do so. A simple Windows scan usually fixes this problem. Simply follow the prompts to scan and repair if necessary, then proceed with the formatting instructions below.
- 'Windows was unable to complete the format' – there are several reasons you may run into such an error message. But, the main reason is usually that the thumb drive needs to be scanned and repaired.
- 'The disk is write-protected' – Some USD drives come with the option to write-protect the device. On some devices, this could be via a button, switch, or lever on the device. If your device doesn't have such a feature, you need to disable write-protect using the registry editor. Simply type 'CMD' on the windows search bar and open the command prompt. Type 'diskpart' and press enter. You should get a new window similar to the one shown below.
Next, type 'list disk' and press enter. This will list all the active disks on the computer. Note the flash drive number then type 'select disk' and select your flash drive. Type 'attr disk clear readonly' to remove the write-protect settings. You should get a confirmation message stating, 'Disk Attributes Cleared Successfully' as shown below. Type 'exit' to exit Diskpart.
Closing Words
All the methods described above assume you have administrator rights on the PC. If you don't, you will need to log in with an administrator user account or know the administrator password. We hope you learned how to format the flash drive to exFAT and recover any data in case the process doesn't run smoothly for you. Please do not hesitate to send us your comments or questions.
People Also Ask
- It depends on the file size that the SD card will hold. If your SD card is less than 4GB in size, you don't need to use exFAT. But if it is greater than 4GB then you may need exFAT formatted USB drive to store a single file of 4GB or greater.
- Yes, USB exFAT is the newer version of FAT32. It was created to address the file size limit problems of FAT32 without the bulkiness of NTFS.
- exFAT is the best file system for external media. NTFS is best suited for Windows internal hard disks.
4. Can Wondershare Recoverit recover lost data from USB on Mac?
Yes, Wondershare Recoverit works on both Windows and Mac.
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