• How to format a flash drive: basic formatting rules, choosing a file system and cluster size. Which file system should I format the flash drive into?

    Let's look at the types of file systems for a flash drive, which one is better. One user sent me a photo with the error “The file is too large for the target file system” and decided to write an article in which cases it is necessary to use the FAT32, NTFS and exFAT systems. It was moving a file over 4 GB in size to an 8 GB flash drive. The fact is that the FAT32 system cannot process information larger than 4 GB; if you have a flash drive with a capacity of 32 GB and its file system is FAT32, then you will not be able to write a file larger than 4 GB to it. Let's look at all three file systems in Windows, and look at their pros and cons.

    FAT32

    The old file system mode, which is usually used when buying a flash drive from a store and the reason for this is compatibility. Compatibility is that FAT32 can be used on any computer running MAC, Windows, Linux, old PCs. The biggest limitation is that it has a file size limit of 4GB, which today has problems with formats like 4K video, Blu-ray. In a word, if you are going to work with files whose size is less than 4 GB and the flash drive is used on different computers with different operating systems, then the FAT32 file system is very suitable.

    exFAT

    An updated file system created by Microsoft to replace FAT32. Began to be used in Windows Vista SP1 and has a maximum file size of 16 exabytes (EB), which is equal to 1 EB = 10 18 bytes. Compatible with Mac OS and Windows, it is a very good system for sharing large files.

    Cons:

    • It does not have any logging functionality, in which all changes to files on disk are logged before they are actually made.
    • Time Machine is not supported by Apple. In short, you won't be able to make a backup from Apple using Time Machine software.
    • A very complex structure that requires more computing power.

    Pros:

    • Rewrites the same sector fewer times, which is important for flash drives, extending the life of memory cells. As you know, flash drives have N-numbers of rewrites, then they fail.
    • Large file size limit of 16 exabytes.
    • The cluster size is 32 megabytes.
    • Improved free space distribution, which reduces disk defragmentation.

    NTFS

    The latest file system created by Microsoft and is the modern structure of today for almost any modern internal hard drive, flash drive or SSD drive. NTFS is a new file system technology. The windows system can only be installed on NTFS. It is the default for disks with the operating system, due to its versatility. It has all Microsoft technologies: logging, no file size restrictions, support for file compression, long names, file access control for server admins and much more. At home, this is the best option for using this system on disks and flash drives. There is one catch, when you insert a flash drive into Mac OS, you can copy information from the flash drive, but you cannot change it.

    Conclusion:

    For USB flash drives you should use exFAT, if you are constantly in a Mac OS, Windows environment, moving a flash drive from one operating system to another. If you only use Windows, then NTSF is a great solution.

    A USB flash drive, much more often called simply a flash drive, is a very convenient and currently popular way to store and transfer data. As a rule, flash drives sold in stores are formatted in the FAT32 file system. The explanation for this is simple: all operating systems support FAT32. If for some reason you need to format the flash drive again, you can decide for yourself what format to format the flash drive in: ext4, FAT32 or NTFS. In this review, we'll look at the pros and cons of each file system.

    Ext4

    This format is not supported by Windows, so you should only use ext4 if your computer is running Linux and you do not need to transfer data to Windows computers. In my opinion, the coincidence of these two conditions does not happen too often.

    FAT32

    The advantages of FAT32 include not only compatibility with all operating systems, but also high data transfer speeds for relatively small files. However, this file system does not work with files larger than 4Gb and loses its performance with high file fragmentation, as well as with a large number of files in the directory. Another limitation: a FAT32 directory cannot contain more than 65,534 files (although how often do you have to deal with that many files?). In general, if you are in doubt about what format to format the flash drive in, choose FAT32.

    NTFS

    The NTFS file system provides fairly high performance when working with both large and small files, however, its average data transfer speed is lower than that of FAT32. The main advantage of NTFS is the high reliability of data storage against failures. Unfortunately, this system is not supported by Windows95, Windows98 and WindowsME.

    Updated – 2017-01-25

    Which file system to format the flash drive with. Almost everyone knows what a flash drive is. Nowadays it is simply impossible to do without this information carrier. Wherever it is used, in computer technology, and in cameras, and in video cameras, and in electronic books, and digital signatures in electronic document management, and so on and so forth. And such a thing is quite affordable for everyone. But today we will talk about computer flash media, or as it is popularly called, a flash drive.

    For some, it simply serves to transfer files from computer to computer; for others, it is a whole set of programs for installing operating systems, testing computer components and programs. Some people use a flash drive to watch videos, others record video lessons using the same flash drive, others run their favorite toys and customized office programs from it. And for all this you just need to format the flash drive correctly, otherwise you won’t be able to transfer large files to it. To work comfortably with a flash drive and for different purposes, you need to use a different file system. We will now talk to you about which file system should be used in this or that case.

    The most current file systems for flash drives and other external media are FAT32, NTFS And exFAT.

    We won’t go into theory, but simply decide why this or that file system is good for our purposes. Then you just need to format your flash drive in the system that suits you.

    FAT32 faster compared to NTFS And exFAT and is suitable for you if you transfer small files from computer to computer - up to 4 GB. These are Word, Excel text editor files, photographs, and small (again, up to 4 GB) videos.

    Also FAT32 necessary if you view files from a flash drive on a TV, DVD, or car FM modulator. Some TVs and DVD devices simply do not recognize the other system. There's nothing you can do about it.

    But the system FAT32 There are also some disadvantages. It has less reliability compared to NTFS. What is this lack of reliability? The fact is that if there is an unexpected power outage to the computer, or you did not correctly remove the flash drive from the connector, then your data may simply disappear from it or not be opened again.

    Therefore, if you are sure that you will not have to watch videos on old devices, then a flash drive in the system NTFS.

    And if you intend to store large files, photos and videos on a flash drive, then it is better to use the system exFAT. For example, memory cards in cameras and video equipment use just such a system. In this case, these systems provide optimal operating speed.

    Usually, if writing is faster, then reading files is slower, and vice versa. Therefore, when choosing a file system, you can only focus on using a flash drive in one case or another:

    • For large files, more than 4 GB – NTFS,
    • For graphics - exFAT,
    • To view photos and short movies on older TVs and DVD players – FAT32.

    Now you know which file system to format the flash drive with, so you can avoid many problems when working with it.

    Video clip Which file system to format the flash drive with:

    Sometimes, to restore the functionality of a flash drive, you need to format it. In this article, we will look at how to properly format a flash drive and which formatting system is better to choose: FAT or NTFS.

    To format a flash drive, you should not download or look for any special programs or utilities. Windows handles this task perfectly in a short time.

    What is the best formatting system to choose? How is the FAT system different from NTFS? All you need to know about these systems is that you cannot copy or write a file larger than 4 gigabytes, for example an ISO image or some high-quality movie, to a formatted flash drive in the FAT system. And the NTFS system supports recording files larger than 4 gigabytes.

    So when choosing to format a flash drive, be guided by the size of the file you want to write to it.

    So, to format the flash drive, insert it into the USB port of the computer and wait for it to be detected. Open “My Computer”

    We find our flash drive. For me it is called “SARDU”, for you it will most likely be called “Removable Disk”. Read below how to name a flash drive with your own name.

    Select the flash drive with one click of the left mouse button

    Then click on the selected flash drive with the right mouse button, thereby bringing up a window with a choice of options. In the window that opens, select “Format”

    The formatting window opens. Here we can choose which section to go to format FAT or NTFS

    Select a formatting system from the drop-down menu. For example, I chose NTFS, since I need to write a file larger than 4 gigabytes

    In the “Volume Label” form, enter any title or Name. This will be the name of your flash drive. It will be visible when browsing your computer's disks. For example, I called it “SARDU”, now I gave it the name “My flash drive”

    Below we see formatting methods. Mostly quick formatting is used, but if your flash drive is very buggy, then you can use full formatting; to do this, you need to uncheck the box next to “Quick (cleaning table of contents)”. Be aware that full formatting will take much longer than usual. So everything is ready. Click the start button.

    A warning information window should appear. We agree and click the “Ok” button. Formatting has started.

    After formatting is complete, an information window will appear indicating that formatting is complete. Click “OK”

    Now we see that our flash drive is formatted and empty. It's called "My flash drive", i.e. as I wrote in the “Volume Label” field

    And remember that formatting a flash drive will destroy all data on it. So before doing this, copy all the files to your computer.

    From time to time, my work colleagues ask me: “Which file system should I choose when formatting a new flash drive?”

    Usually I answer that you need to select NTFS, and everything will be fine. But sometimes you come across meticulous users, and they want to know why NTFS and not FAT32 or exFAT.

    In this article I will try to explain the difference between these file systems from the point of view of the average user.

    Today, the current file systems for flash drives (and other external media) are: NTFS, FAT32, exFAT.

    These systems allow you to store files and additional information about them on media in different ways. Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you need to choose the one that is most suitable for your tasks and files.

    For example, FAT32 has a 4GB file size limit. Therefore, if you want to save a DVD image to a flash drive as one 4.7 GB file (or 8.5 GB for a double-layer DVD), then FAT32 is not suitable for this operation.

    On the other hand, due to its simplicity, FAT32 can provide greater speed than NTFS or exFAT. But, again, this results in less reliability in case of accidental loss of communication or power failure of the external storage device.

    If a flash drive is used to transfer various small files (for example, office documentation), then it is better to use NTFS;

    If a flash drive is used to transfer large files (for example, photos or video files), then it is better to use exFAT.

    In such variants, these systems provide higher speed of flash drive operation.

    This is clearly seen in the example of memory cards, which are mainly intended for photo and video equipment. In modern devices, the files are large, so manufacturers immediately format memory cards in the exFAT system.

    An exception to the use of FAT32 can only be in the case of using a flash drive for household appliances - TV, DVD, car FM modulator. If, for example, your TV can only work with flash drives in FAT32 format, then there is nothing you can do about it - to view photos or videos from a flash drive on TV, you will have to format the flash drive in the FAT32 system.

    The latest models of household appliances can already work with different systems, but earlier models “understand” only FAT32.

    Testing.

    I now have 2 USB 2.0 flash drives - 16 and 8 GB. A 16 GB flash drive is a Corsair Voyager. The 8 GB flash drive is Silicon Power (aluminum case, code D33B29 on the flash drive itself).

    I tested both flash drives in NTFS, FAT32, exFAT systems. First I copied a folder with different files, and then an archive of the same folder. For example, I took the folder of the game "World of Tanks" - there are a lot of files in it, and they are different in size.

    In its original (not compressed) form, the folder has the following parameters: 3002 files, 391 folders, volume 11.1 GB.

    The compressed form produces 3 files (to be written to FAT32) – 2 x 3500 MB and 1 x 48 MB, total volume 6.88 GB.

    I carried out the test as follows: I formatted the flash drive into the desired system, then wrote the folder, measured the recording time, removed the flash drive, read the folder, measured the reading time, formatted it again, similarly recorded and read archives, measured the writing and reading time.

    Then he moved on to the next file system. I wrote the uncompressed folder onto a Silicon Power flash drive until the 8 GB flash drive was completely full.

    As a result of the tests, I received the following average speed values:

    Then I found a website on the Internet (http://usbflashspeed.com/), which collected test results for various flash drives, and downloaded the testing utility from there USB Flash Benchmark.

    I also tested three file systems on each flash drive with this utility. This utility tests a flash drive with data blocks of different sizes.

    On data blocks from 16 MB to 64 KB, I saw approximately the same speed indicators. On smaller blocks the speed drops noticeably, but files of 64KB or less are now rare.

    And even if they do, they are still written to the flash drive quickly. The utility shows the results of the last 2 tests, possibly for comparison.

    Here is an example of a Silicon Power flash drive test:

    Thin dotted line results for the system are shown NTFS, fat solid line- For FAT32.

    These data are almost identical to those from my tests. You can use this utility to test your flash drives and understand their real operating speed without waiting for a long time to write/read large amounts of data.

    As can be seen from the tests, the file system FAT32 can sometimes have an advantage in writing speed, but still lag behind in reading. In general, I think that it is worth adhering to the recommendations indicated above.

    If you have any questions, ask them in the comments.

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