Should I Format my Flash Drive to FAT32 or NTFS

Asked By jobert bridges 30 points N/A Posted on - 04/18/2012

I have an 8GB flash drive that I need to format. In terms of security, usability, and stability, what should I file system should I format my flash drive to? FAT32 or NTFS?

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Answered By Guzman Manke 5 points N/A #108666

Should I Format my Flash Drive to FAT32 or NTFS

A few things which can help you decide; firstly, if you are having Mac OS go for FAT32 as Mac can't write into NTFS. Secondly, you can't put files larger than 4GB into FAT32. So if you're working with larger files or portable apps, then go for NTFS.

Thirdly, remember to format NTFS with permissions to everyone otherwise it can make few problems. I found the data transfer rate is a bit faster in FAT32 than NTFS.

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• Posted on - 04/18/2012
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Answered By Ferdous Rider 0 points N/A #108668

Should I Format my Flash Drive to FAT32 or NTFS

You can format your flash drive in NTFS File system for your usability and stability.

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• Posted on - 04/18/2012
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Answered By Odtohan vasko 10 points N/A #108669

Should I Format my Flash Drive to FAT32 or NTFS

Hi Jobert Bridges

Formatting of USB drive depends upon your preferences. You can format into NTFS or FAT32. Here I will explain which format you should choose.

If we consider compatibility, FAT32 is compatible to multiple operating systems like win2000, win2003 win NT4 while NTFS compatibility is limited like win95, win98, win xp.

If we consider usage, then NTFS tolerant capabilities are goodas compare to FAT32. For example NTFS make a log file of changes made and if power fails then NTFS uses that log file to repair the data. But FAT32 lacks this ability.

NTFS has built in security and in FAT32 you depends upon shared permissions of security.  Format to FAT32, if no one have physical access to drive.

NTFS support for file compression is better than FAT32.

 So For normal and wide use format your USB with FAT32 and if you are very conscious about security and usage is limited then format with NTFS.

Hope it will help you to safely use your USB drive.

Regards

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• Posted on - 04/19/2012
• Question Category: Removable Backup Media