disk format that works for mac and windows

Greater than commercially available drivesĮvery newer file system handily whips FAT32 in the file size department, allowing for sometimes ridiculously large files. And when you look at volume size limits, FAT32 still lets you format volumes up to 8 TB, which is more than enough for a USB drive. ext2, ext3, & ext4: The extended file system (ext) was the first file system created specifically for the Linux kernel.exFAT: The extended File Allocation Table (exFAT) builds on FAT32 and offers a lightweight system without all the overhead of NTFS.

FAT32: The File Allocation Table 32 (FAT32) was the standard Windows file system before NTFS.

APFS was released with iOS 10.3 and macOS 10.13, and has become the norm in modern versions of the operating systems.

APFS: The proprietary Apple file system developed as a replacement for HFS+, with a focus on flash drives, SSDs, and encryption.

HFS+: The Hierarchical File System (HFS+) was the file system older Macs used by default.

NTFS: The NT File System (NTFS) is the file system that modern Windows versions use by default.

We’re going to take a look at these two factors as they relate to the most common file systems: So, let’s take a look at the major file systems, and hopefully, you can figure out the best solution for formatting your USB drive.īut to make that decision, you need to understand the two major factors that can affect your file system choice: portability and file size limits. But it can be confusing understanding what devices and operating systems support which file systems - especially when all you want to do is transfer some files or keep your collection readable by all the devices you use.

The most common file systems are FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS on Windows, APFS and HFS+ on macOS, and EXT on Linux -though you may run into others on occasion. How do you know your Mac, Xbox, and Windows PC can read your files? Read on to find your perfect USB drive solution.įile systems are the sort of thing that many computer users take for granted. It can be tough transporting your videos and music to every device you use. If you only use Windows PCs you can use NTFS, and if you only use Macs you can use APFS, but neither is widely supported on other devices. Otherwise, use exFAT - it supports larger drives, larger files, and almost all newer game consoles and operating systems. Use FAT32 if you need maximum compatibility between devices and won't be moving files larger than 4 gigabytes.

Disk format that works for mac and windows