Both are created in microsoft and are mainly used for windows, but there is also support for them in the linux kernel. As long as compatibility with windows is a concern you should prefer fat32. You should be able to use any of the 2 systems, but if your system is a uefi based system, then it will only accept the fat32 format. Fa32 and ntfs also support file permissions and encryption. By default, mac os x can only read ntfs drives, not write to them. I probably should clarify that although you can install a working linux distro on a fat system, you shouldnt do so if its an actual desktop machine. These are commonly known by the names used in the mount command to invoke particular drivers in the kernel. Ntfs, exfat, fat32, ext4 file systems explained utilize. In contrast, ntfs is more robust and effective than fat as it adopts advanced data structures to improve reliability, disk space utilization and overall performance. Linux relies on a number of filesystem features that simply are not supported by fat or ntfs unixstyle ownership and permissions, symbolic links, etc. Btw just about every major linux distro reads ntfs out of the box and the ability to read ntfs could get added to any nix install. Ntfs and fat32 are file systems developed my microsoft, and most commonly used with ms windows. If you want to know the difference between fat32 exfat and ntfs and choose them for formatting your pendrive, read on. Ntfs, fat or exfat are completely different file systems that can be used to store data on different media.
Difference between usb drive file systems ntfs vs fat32. Note also when formatting a partition under windows nt 3. Out of all three, fat32 would be too restricted for modern use. If not, are there any other distributions of linux which can be installed on fat32 or ntfs partition. Linux proves its versatility by supporting all storage formats supported by windows. Or installer flash drives or the small fat32 partition required for uefi boot. Nt file system its the default file system for all windows versions. If you really want your data available in both oss you might consider creating an ntfs data partition in addition to the ubunt patitionpartions. This readonly means that we have to install a separate userspace driver to be able to write to the ntfs drives. Fat32 is an older file system thats not as good as ntfs and it doesnt support many modern features but does offer greater compatibility with other operating systems like linux, mac or android. The windows systems, developed by microsoft, have become standards for a lot of storage devices, though, so youll see them on devices much more frequently than. Ntfs or new technology file system came into use in 1993 with the introduction of windows nt 3.
Ubuntu will be able to read and write fat32 or ntfs just fine so opening and saving files tofrom the windows partitions will be fine. While the linux kernel has some ntfs support, it is strictly readonly access. Should i choose exfat or ntfs for a shared partition in. File size matters fat32 file size support tops out at 4gb and. Some linux distributions may enable ntfs writing support, but some may be readonly. An ntfs file system is perfect for your windows system drive and. If the maximum file size is less than 2 gib and the file syste.
If you can not use ntfs drives you must reformat the drive using the fat32 format. It is an amazing file system to store files in flash drives. If you are a user moving from windows to linux and vice versa or are cooperating with windows users and need access to the same file, it is best to have a common partition in ntfs. Microsoft ntfs for linux by paragon software introduction. Support for reading ntfs drives is built into the kernel. Format usb drives in fat32 or ntfs format in arch linux. You can copy large files to the usbstick 4gb and more. How to format usb flash drive to ntfs, exfat or fat32. Fat32 and ntfs are the most common formats, but whats the difference. Below is a summary of the key differences between ntfs and fat32. Finally, in ntfs all filenames are unicode based, and 8. Linux can handle ntfs, but note, that ntfs is not openly documented. Hierarchical file system its the default file system for macos versions. How to mount ntfs drives on linux easily linuxtechlab.
Fat32, ntfs, and exfat are the three file systems users commonly use for windows system. Fat stands for file allocation table which is one of the oldest file systems used for storage of data. Learn how to mount ntfs drives on linux easily with this tutorial. Linux has several filesystem drivers for the file allocation table fat filesystem format. Linux reads ntfs just fine, its only writing that is dangerous. Consequently, important hidden system files in the. Paragon releases new microsoft ntfs for linux by paragon.
The main limitation with this is the fact, that the max file size is 4 gb1 byte. Default cluster sizes for ntfs the following table describes the default cluster sizes for ntfs. Never install a linux distro on an ntfs file system. Only a few linux variants are able to provide write support for ntfs. Advantages of ntfs ntfs is best for use on volumes of about 400 mb or more. When youre reformatting a hard drive, windows will ask you what format to use. Windows operating system uses ntfs for partitioning large hard disk drives, whether they are local hdd or an external one. Can linux with ext4 file system detect ntfs or fat32 usb drive. What is the difference between fat32, ntfs and exfat. Support for mounting exfat and ntfs file systems under centos. Ubuntu will show files and folders in ntfsfat32 filesystems which are hidden in windows. Use fat32 64ex and enable uefi support on the options in rufus. The fact the its own drives are ext4 does not stop it detecting ntfs or fat32 drives. The uefi specification explicitly requires support for fat32 for efi system partitions esps, and fat16 or fat12 for removable media.
Look for ntfs3g driver support on your linux support page to see if its built in. Ubuntu linux has native support for ntfs partition but the vice versa is not possible out of the box i. What is the difference between ntfs, fat32, and exfat file. This is because performance does not degrade under ntfs, as it does under fat, with larger volume sizes.
Only way to run linux on fat32 or ntfs partition would be to create a virtual filesystem inside a special file and run ext2,ext3,reiserfs or similar inside that file. Linux relies on a number of filesystem features that simply are not supported by fat or ntfs unixstyle ownership and permissions. Converting a drive using these steps will preserve the files on the drive. Difference between fat32, exfat, and ntfs file system a file system provides a way of organizing a drive. You have options when it comes to formatting a usb drive for use in a pc. It specifies how data is stored on the drive and what types of information can be attached to filesfilenames, permissions, and other attributes. Fat32, ntfs, and exfat are the three file systems we commonly use for windows and storage media running on android and various other devices. Datenaustausch mit fat32 oder exfatdatentrager partitions.
Linux users may use the datalocker without reformatting if they they have an ntfs driver installed. The modern version of windows must be installed on a drive which is an ntfs drive. Storage hardware cannot be used without a file system, but not all file systems are universally supported by all operating systems all operating systems support fat32 because it is a simple file system and has been around for a really long time. How to mount a ntfs drive on centos rhel scientific linux. Ntfs will work with all recent versions of windows but it has limited compatibility with other operating systems. What is the difference between fat32 exfat and ntfs. Ntfs, fat32, exfat, ext4 and apfs are just some of the file systems used to organize data on storage drives. We still recommend making sure you have backups of all files on the drive. There are other hacks and workarounds for ntfs on the mac, but in any case ntfs is only semicompatible with os x.
By widely used i mean supported by different operating systems. Maybe some poor bastard has already installed linux on a fat32, god knows. The application of ntfs has grown but fat32 is still more universal. But due to its easy structure, its easily affected by fragmentation, so performance can easily decrease with the use. Are there any advantagesdisadvantages to using this format. Fat sucks, its slow, old and deprecated even by ms.
All version of windows, mac, linux, and almost anything with a usb port. This article will illustrate to the differences between the three, analyzing their pros and cons, compatibility and usage in an allrounded way. Fat format is compatible with windows, linux, mac os x. How to format disk partitions on linux devconnected. Well explain what they are and how to choose the best file system for your needs. How to format a hard drive to ntfs in linux make tech easier. I understand this may be a dumb question but i just realized my main ssd is a fat 32 bit version i installed ubuntu a while ago. But, have you ever thought about the differences between fat32, ntfs, and exfat, and also what is a file system.
Ntfs 3g is a stable open source ntfs driver that supports reading and writing to ntfs drives on linux and other operating systems. Difference between fat32, exfat, and ntfs file system. Linux native ext2 and ext3 drive formats are currently being tested. Format usb drives in fat32 or ntfs format in arch linux by sk published june 18, 2016 updated june, 2018 today, we will see how to format usb drives in fat or ntfs file system in arch linux and its derivatives like antergos and manjaro linux.
The exfat extended fat is another microsoft proprietary file system which finds its use in ball games where the fat32 feels out of breath. But there are some very good tools like ext2read which can help readwrite even ext4 partitions. Ntfs on linux systems is spotty for both read and write operations. Limitedtime offer applies to the first charge of a new subscription only. Whats the difference between fat32, exfat, and ntfs. Apples mac osx provides readonly support for an ntfs formatted drive and only a few linux variants are able to provide write support for ntfs. Common formats for partitioning under windows are fat, fat32, ntfs, and exfat in the early days, most of the formats were fat and fat32, but now because a single file is getting larger, more than 4g of files, fat and fat32 formats are not supported, so the hard disk format will be converted to ntfs or exfat format, 1.
Fat32 is an older file system thats not as efficient as ntfs and doesnt support as big a feature set, but does offer greater compatibility with other operating systems. This gives, that the ntfs support gets created by reengineering, a method which implies limitations. For example, in windows os if you want to format the ssd youll be able to choose between ntfs or exfat file systems, whereas in linux if you want to format the usb flash drive the file system options would be fat32 ntfs or ext4. Both exfat and ntfs are microsoft proprietary filesystem. This tutorial will show you how to mount an ntfs drive ina readwrite mode on centos and other rhel based linux operating systems with ntfs 3g driver. Linux does have support for both and fat32 is commonly used for usb thumb drives, but neither is often used for the main file system. For those who do not know, ntfs new technology file system is a proprietary file system developed by microsoft to supersede both fat file allocation. They can be easily used among systems but when these ntfs partitioned drives are used with linux machines, by default. Ufsd universal file system drivers is a unique technology specially developed by paragon software group to provide full access readwrite, format, etc. Difference between fat32 and ntfs and exfat technotaught. Microsoft ntfs for linux by paragon software comes up with some new features including.
106 868 502 1242 549 1165 1081 1464 518 368 908 1330 93 1466 1149 1496 651 267 695 1416 973 1395 311 1454 1145 452 1467 99 1196 86 1525 282 936 1038 564 511 713 1399 1018 583 610