Louise Booth asks:
I bought a 16GB usb drive and was wondering how I should I format it? NTFS or FAT32? I will be using it to store Microsoft Word, Excel and to store other documents but that’s about it!
I will be using it on a MacBook as well as Windows PCs, but as they’ll be public computers, it needs to be formated to work on most Microsoft operating systems.
Also what do I change the allocation unit size to?
Thanks
Browser: Safari 5.1
System: Mac AND Microsoft (several operating systems for microsoft)
Tagged: fat32, format, mac tips, microsoft windows, ntfs, usb flash drive
System: Mac AND Microsoft (several operating systems for microsoft)
Tagged: fat32, format, mac tips, microsoft windows, ntfs, usb flash drive
55 Answers -
Yiz Borol
October 14, 2012I’d recommend using FAT32 if you’re using it with Macs.
i agree with you Yiz
October 16, 2012DalSan Mack
October 15, 2012For overall compatibility, FAT32 would be best. If there is the of chance that you want to connect your USB drive to an HDTV or DVD player that accepts USB drives to view pictures, videos, or music, FAT32 is required, plus Mac needs FAT32 format to be able to read it unless NTFS drivers are installed. NTFS is a Microsoft standard, meaning it isn’t as compatible with other systems as you may like. The only real time I would use NTFS on a USB drive is to use it for Ready Boost on Windows Vista or higher since it would allow up to 256GB to be used for Ready Boost instead of 4GB. Allocation size should be 4Kb, which normally is the default.
Sachin Kanchan
October 15, 2012FAT32 should be your go.
use NTFS only when you need to format a computer via the usb drive.
Sanjay Rajvanshi
October 15, 2012for windows ntfs is more tidy also for mac you will need a separate partition .
If you are going to use the drive as a system or ‘boot’ drive, with the Mac OS on it, then you would want to select ‘Mac OS Extended (Journaled). If you will be using the drive as a ‘scratch’ drive select Mac OS Extended.
Raj Sarkar
October 15, 2012If exFAT is available use that else FAT32.
Yeah, exFAT is a good choice, unless you’ll be using Linux as well. Don’t think that’s the case here.
October 16, 2012Raghav Gupta
October 15, 2012FAT32 is recommended
Imesh Chandrasiri
October 15, 2012go for NTFS, since it’s more secure..
Adrian Rea
October 15, 2012Fat 32 is recommended but also conside encrpting and paswording your files as they are as accessible on FAT32 as they are on NTFS. I am not sure if Mac reads NTFS out of the box.
kumar raja
October 15, 2012NTFS is the nice one.
Anandu B Ajith
October 15, 2012Fat32
Yosef Maayan
October 15, 2012If you are using both Mac and pc and they are public public computers or otherwise not under your control, then you should definitely use fat32. Macs can be made to read ntfs but if its not your computer then you have no guarantee that it is ready to do so.
ha14
October 15, 2012depends on how you will use your USB key, if you want to watch movies from USB key on TV then FAT32 should be the format.
exFAT Versus FAT32 Versus NTFS
http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/2801/exfat_versus_fat32_versus_ntfs/
Taylor Marchetta
October 15, 2012Three things to note.
When using NTFS on a mac you can only read the drive. (there are several around this)
When using fat 32 on all systems you can only transfer port files up to four gigs.
And NTFS is much more secure.
I would recommend using NTFS with the program on your Mac called “MacFuse”
Jan Fritsch
October 15, 2012Assuming that the MacBook is your own both FAT32 or NTFS are an option. You can get NTFS support on a Mac and it’s supported on Windows.
The safest option however will be FAT32 as it is natively supported by both, no need for third party drivers on the Mac.
While the suggested exFAT is a nice file system you may face a problem with older Windows XP installations – at least that’s my experience – and if you don’t have administrative rights you will be “lost”.
uday kanna
October 15, 2012you cannot transfer a file of size more than 4gb into FAT32
Harshit Jain
October 15, 2012Use Fat32
Saurabh Banwaskar
October 15, 2012NTFS Is Nice For Bootable USBs
Go For FAT32 It’s Nice And Recommended
Vishal Mishra
October 15, 2012NTFS, as they are faster in that format.
Bodi Hemanth
October 15, 2012you can do it. but recomonded FAT 32 for mac systems.
Dany Bouffard
October 15, 2012I also recommend FAT32, but do remember that FAT32 has a file size limit of 2,047 GB SO you wont be able to put file larger than these on the USB Drive.
Raja Pradeep
October 15, 2012USB flash drives should be formatted with FAT32 file sytems.
Philbert Desenex
October 15, 2012Fat32 will give you more compatibility.
Scott Reyes
October 16, 2012Ntfs is mainly used for windows operating systems. That being said it is best suited towards larger filesystems than FAT32. FAT32 Is compattible with most machines and is best suited for smaller file transfers.There is FAT16 but it isn’t as good as FAT32 overall. Finally, exFAT Is best for windows 7 operating systems and better than FAT32 as far as not wearing down flash memory but with less compatibility.
Hiren Patel
October 16, 2012FAT32 as per compatibility.
Rajaa Chowdhury
October 16, 2012Would suggest NTFS due to better security. Also MACs can read NTFS too as likewise to FAT32
vivek yadav
October 16, 2012FAT32 it’ll work on both mac and pc. but u wont be able to transfer more then 4 gb of file…
Ahmed Khalil
October 16, 2012Fat32 is what you should format your USB with
Alex Perkins
October 16, 2012FAT32 as Mac doesn’t like NTFS.
Harry Barnes
October 16, 2012i would use fat32, as it is the most widely compatible one, but it doesn’t really matter, as you can go back and change it later.
Jim Chambers
October 16, 2012FAT32 gives you more file storage space.
Dave Rimmer
October 16, 2012Hi Louise
MUO have a very good guide on how to do it here –
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/format-usb-drive/
Cheers.
Usman Mubashir
October 16, 2012FAT32 is compatible with most, but NTFS is faster. NTFS opens on XP but Im not sure about macs. If you want to save lots of small files, keep the allocation size to small, and vice versa.
64kb allocation size will mean that even a 10kb file takes 64 kb, but if you keep allocation size to minimum more space will be reserved for formatting and you’ll be left with less space (not significantly low, only few Mbs)
Tarek Ramadan
October 16, 2012if you plan to use it in MAC or in playstation or any other non pc device keep it FAT32
louise booth
October 17, 2012thank you all for your comments, I was leaning towards fat32 before i posted this question and i think i ll try that format.
what about the allocation unit size- what do i change it to?
thanks
4Kb, which should be the default.
October 17, 2012thanks! will fat32 allow me to use the full 16gb? (minus the space the formating takes up obviously) and also is this format- fat32 suitable for storing pics as well as documents and software?
October 17, 2012thanks again!
So long as you don’t have files 4GB or larger, then you should be fine. Any file can be stored on any of the formats, but FAT32 is what is used for HDTVs and DVD players that accept USB drives to view pictures, videos, and music. Even video mp3 players are formatted in FAT32 to be compatible with most operating systems.
October 17, 2012By the way, I’m using my 16GB flash drive formatted in FAT32 to store media files and portable programs. I use it for our XBox, Wii, laptops, and HDTVs to view pictures, videos, and play music. The portable apps I use on Windows 2000 and above computers, plus have bootable Linux and Android operating systems on it without any problems. Close to 15GB is usable after formatting.
October 17, 2012Ibrahim Nadir
October 17, 2012if u want more secure filesystem go fot NTFS otherwise FAT32 is better for usual use. Won’t take long and will give you more space to work with.
Kaashif Haja
October 17, 2012To be short.. If your file size is in MB’s, you can use FAT32.
If it’s in GB’s, you can’t move your files. you’ll have to change to NTFS!
Declan Lopez
October 17, 2012fat32 since you are using a mac
Adjei Kofi
October 17, 2012FAT32 is recommended if it’s going to be used across different operating systems
josemon maliakal
October 18, 2012if windows, recommended filesystem is ntfs
Alex Perkins
October 18, 2012Fat32 for best compatibility.
dhanunjayarao chunduri
October 20, 2012For overall compatibility, FAT32 would be best. But you since want to change it ntfs format then do it in windows 7 operating system.
Kyriakos Aggeli
October 23, 2012If you’re going to use it with macs and windows go for FAT32 . Be warned thought that you will not be able to move items larger than 3.99 GB.
Nicolas Loots
October 24, 2012I recommend NTFS, but you’ll need 3rd party software on your Mac to write on it.
Tony Gonzaga
October 28, 2012Use FAT32.
Bruno Piras
October 28, 2012Best is FAT32 for more compatibility. But if you have files over 4GB, you must use NTFS or exFAT though, as FAT32 won’t accept them.
Gabriel Barron
October 30, 2012Fat32 is nice because it works with Macs, However if you are like me i got the NFTS converter for mac from this great site… so it can work flawlessly on Macs. The benefit of this is, i own a PS3 and it only reads NFTS, So i am able to watch movies directly off of my HD. Where otherwise id have to have a separate formatted one.
Gabriel Barron
October 30, 2012Sorry NTFS lol dislexic fingers
Adam Campbell
November 3, 2012FAT32 for mac
Aniket Singh
November 5, 2012always format pendrive and external flash drive to fat32 ather wise it may not work……
Aniket Singh
November 5, 2012always format pendrive and external flash drive to fat32 ather wise it may not work……
N LKX
November 21, 2012http://www.google.com.my/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=ntfs%20fat32&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcquirke.mvps.org%2Fntfs.htm&ei=xu-sUJy5KoP_rAeBh4HYBg&usg=AFQjCNGTEoljOmC2kJ_atNZHNV_oSx0Krg
Sashritha Peiris
December 12, 2012I recommed you you use NTFS and get the make use of reward on offer that helps you access NTFS from mac.
Meeth Jain
December 21, 2012http://www.diffen.com/difference/FAT32_vs_NTFS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=S5uxpHszU1E
Igor Rizvi?
January 15, 2013Ntfs definetly..go with whats more up to date
Anish Parameshwaran
February 23, 2013Unless you have Paragon’s NTFS for Mac or another NTFS writer on your mac, I would suggest going with FAT32. The main drawback for FAT32 is that you’re restricted to 32 GB of space, which isn’t a problem since you’re using a 16 GB USB drive. If you wish to use an external hard drive later on, which most likely will be more than 32 GB, then I would advise you to invest in Paragon’s NTFS for Mac, or if you have 400 points, get a license from MUO’s rewards page and install it on all the mac computers.
Also, keep the allocation size at its default.
February 23, 2013