Every time you format an external hard drive, SSD or flash card, you have to choose between three different file systems: NTFS , exFAT, and FAT32 . In the standard utility built into Windows, there is no explanation about this – perhaps that is why you ended up on this page. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about different file systems and help you make the right choice.
- Formatting large volumes exFAT on Windows tends to default to an allocation unit size (read block size) of larger than 1024. MacOS has trouble finding the boot region on disks like this. Backup your external drive, reformat it on windows with a block size of 1024, then copy everything back.
- Read only NTFS from native Mac OS X; To Read/Write/Format NTFS from Mac OS X: Install NTFS-3G for Mac OS X (free) Some have reported problems using Tuxera (approx 33USD). Native NTFS support can be enabled in Snow Leopard, but is not advisable, due to instability. AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Time Capsule do not support NTFS; Maximum file size.
NT File System (NTFS)
NTFS is the most common modern file system for an internal hard drive or solid state drive in a home computer. It got its name from Windows NT, on the basis of which XP and all subsequent operating systems from Microsoft were later developed. With a new installation of Windows, the storage is formatted for NTFS itself.
Your Mac can read but can’t write to NTFS. And your Windows PC cannot see, read or write to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) file systems. Or for that matter the new Apple File System. An ExFAT External Hard Drive Is The Middle Ground. Best google apps for mac. Luckily there’s a compatible middle ground and that middle ground is an ExFAT file system. The App allows you to Mount your external SSD so that he can you read copy the data stored on it. The app is, Microsoft exFAT/NTFS for USB by Paragon Software (Play Store Link) This app can be found in the play store and is one of the few apps which actually works. Write files to Linux drives on your Mac. Can’t copy, write, edit or delete files on Linux-formatted drives on your Mac? It’s simply because macOS doesn’t support Linux drives at all, not even in the read-only mode. ExtFS for Mac by Paragon Software provides fast and unlimited read/write access to ext2, ext3 and ext4 formatted drives intended for Linux systems!
Note: Mac computers use their own file system, the Apple File System (AFS). However, macOS can read NTFS drives and even play media files from them (movies, music, images), but only read – write something will not work.
Features of NTFS:
- It is distinguished by the absence of restrictions on the size of files or partitions, as well as a number of built-in technologiesthat are not available on FAT32 and exFAT. Among the latest levels of security access for files, change log for quick error correction (Windows restore points work on its basis), backup support, data encryption, and many other things critical for the functioning of the operating system.
- The system partition of the drive must be formatted for NTFS. This also applies to any other partitions or drives that contain or will contain Windows applications.
- Not supported by many multimedia devicessuch as TVs, set-top boxes, players and others. True, Xbox One still supports this file system, as it runs on Windows.
How best to use NTFS:
It turns out that NTFS is best suited for installing the Windows operating system and compatible applications. Multimedia files can also be stored on drives with such a file system, but they can only be viewed on a computer or Xbox One.
File Allocation Table 32 (FAT32)
FAT32 is one of the oldest file systems dating back to the days of Windows 95. However, starting with commercial Windows NT and home Windows XP, it is no longer supported as a system partition on a drive. Today FAT32 is the main file system for flash drives, as well as external HDDs and SSDs, as it is compatible with most devices with a USB input. However, it has many limitations, which are discussed below.
FAT32 features:
- A single file cannot be larger than 4 gigabytes. This is critical for data such as a digital copy of a film or a large archive.
- The partition cannot be larger than 8 terabytes. This is quite a lot, but there are already drives of similar and even larger sizes.
- Not suitable for modern Windows installations. Only the older Windows 95, 98, and ME can be written to a FAT32 drive. Starting with Windows XP and NT, a number of built-in security technologies are required (listed in the previous chapter).
- Compatible with most USB devices. Often TVs, players or set-top boxes do not recognize NTFS flash drives and they have to be reformatted to FAT32 in order to play a movie or music. However, files larger than 4 gigabytes cannot be written to a FAT32 drive.
How best to use FAT32:
It turns out that FAT32 is best for storing various media files that often need to be played on a wide variety of devices other than PCs. True, if drives with such a file system are suitable for storing serials, then many full-length films (especially 4K format) may simply not be recorded due to the limitations of up to 4 gigabytes per file.
Therefore, the last of the file systems considered in this article, which is discussed below, may be a good solution.
Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT)
The exFAT file system appeared in 2006 and was positioned as a replacement for the old lady FAT32, free of drawbacks, such as restrictions on the size of an individual file. True, it has not yet been completely displaced – all new flash drives from the factory are still formatted for FAT32, although exFAT was originally developed for external drives.
![Can mac read exfat format Can mac read exfat format](https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/tuxera-options.png)
ExFAT features:
- There is no limit on the size of files or sections. Just like NTFS.
- There are no built-in security technologieslike those found in NTFS (see above). Therefore, like FAT32, it is not suitable for installing an operating system or running Windows applications.
- Fully compatible with macOS. Apple computers can both read and write information to exFAT media.
- Most modern multimedia devices support exFAT. For example, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and many TVs. But many older devices over 10 years old can only work with FAT32.
How best to use exFAT
It turns out that exFAT is best suited when you need to record large files, while maintaining compatibility with most devices. But remember that many older TVs, set-top boxes or players may not support exFAT. For example, the PlayStation 3 does not know how to work with this file system, but the PS4 can.
In conclusion, let’s say that NTFS is ideal for internal (especially system) drives or partitions. And for external ones it is better to use exFAT. True, sometimes for old devices you will have to reformat the USB flash drive to the classic FAT32.
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I have a USB flash drive encrypted with BitLocker Drive Encryption, which stores some important files. Recently I bought a MAC computer, I need to access this USB drive on my MAC computer, and when I connect it to my MAC, my MAC doesn't seem to be able to access it. After I got back to Windows, I found out that this drive was using exFat, and is that why MAC can't access it?
ExFat and BitLocker are effective means for Widnows users to store and protect user data. When we format a larger USB drive, many users may not notice that Windows will format it using exFat by default. The MAC operating system supports access to the exFat drive by default, but when the exFat drive is encrypted with BitLocker, then MAC operating system will not be able to access it because MAC operating system does not support BitLocker driver encryption. We now know why the MAC cannot access the BitLocker encrypted exFat drive. Is there a way to access a BitLocker encrypted exFat drive on MAC computers? The answer is yes, we recommend using Hasleo BitLocker Anywhere For Mac here.
Hasleo BitLocker Anywhere For Mac is a software designed to access BitLocker encrypted drive on macOS & Mac OS X, whether the drive is exFat, NTFS or FAT, you can access it just as you would access a Mac's native drive. In this tutorial we will explain in detail how to BitLocker exFat drive on macOS & Mac OS X with Hasleo BitLocker Anywhere For Mac.
Tutorial to access BitLocker encrypted exFat drive on macOS & Mac OS X.
Step 1. Download, install and run Hasleo BitLocker Anywhere For Mac.
Step 2. Right-click the BitLocker To Go drive you want to access in main window, then click 'Mount Drive'.
![Exfat drive not showing windows 10 Exfat drive not showing windows 10](https://www.diskpart.com/windows-10/images/exfat-drive-not-recognized-windows-10-4125/format-exfat.jpg)
Step 3. Enter the password or recovery key, then click 'Mount' button to unlock the drive.
Step 4. After the operation completes successfully, the drive has been successfully unlocked and you can see an icon of the driver appearing on your Mac's desktop.
Can Mac Read Exfat Thumb Drive
Step 5. Click on the icon on your Mac's desktop to open the drive, now you can access the BitLocker To Go drive like a Mac's native drive, such as read, write, copy, delete files, etc.
Hasleo BitLocker Anywhere For Mac is BitLocker solution for Mac which can help you to access BitLocker encrypted exFat drive on macOS & Mac OS X, with it you can unlock, read, and write BitLocker encrypted exFat drive.