![]() FAT32 is also supported by other operating systems like macOS and Linux. FAT32 ( File Allocation Table – 32 bit): FAT32 is the successor to FAT16 and differs from its predecessor in particular due to its increased capacities: the maximum size for files amounts to four gigabytes and the disk size is up to 2 terabytes.In Windows editions since NT, FAT16 enables a data size of up to two gigabytes and a disk size of up to four gigabytes, which is why the format is also suitable for smaller sticks. One of the first versions was FAT16, which was released during the heyday of diskettes. FAT16 ( File Allocation Table – 16 bit): The FAT file system has been among Microsoft’s operating systems since 1977, and it is also supported by other systems like macOS or Linux.Microsoft Windows offers the following four formats as standard: The key criteria to bear in mind when choosing the system include the storage volume of the stick, the size of the files to be saved, as well as the operating systems that are to be connected with the stick. A low-level format is a good option if you're concerned about the reliability of the drive.Before you start formatting your USB drive, you should first consider which file system you actually want on the external storage medium. Clear this option to perform a low-level format that takes longer, but checks out every sector of the drive. Quick format: Select this option to perform a high-level format, which works quickly and just readies the drive with a new file system.Related: What is the Difference Between a Quick and Full Format? Volume label: Type a name for the drive as it will appear in File Explorer.Restore device defaults: Use this button to change all the options in the "Format" window back to the default for whatever drive is selected.We recommend leaving this value at its default of 4096 unless you have good reason to change it. Allocation unit size: The allocation unit size represents the maximum cluster size on a drive-the smallest units into which data are broken.If you're formatting a drive over 32 GB, you won't see the FAT32 option here, but we've got a guide to help you work around that if you need to. File system: Depending on the size of the drive you're formatting, you'll see a few options here, including FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS.Related: How to Format USB Drives Larger Than 32GB With FAT32 on Windows The dropdown shows only the drive you selected, so there's not much to do with this option other than make sure you've got the right drive selected. Capacity: This box shows the capacity of the drive.The "Format" window offers a number of options: If, however, you need to securely erase the data from a drive-say you're tossing the drive or giving it away-consider a third-party tool like Eraser or DBan. For practical purposes, you can consider the data gone when you format a drive. ![]() So while you could still recover data from drives that have been formatted using the technique we're discussing here, it requires a special utility and some time. Instead, it marks the space your data used as available for writing to. Note: Formatting using most format utilities does not technically erase your drive. Related: How to Wipe (Securely Erase) Your Devices Before Disposing of or Selling Them Related: What File System Should I Use for My USB Drive? While you'll typically use NTFS for internal drives on a Windows PC (and, in fact, you're forced to for your system drive), choosing a file system matters more when you're formatting an external USB drive. ![]() Windows makes several file systems available to you-including FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS-and they all have their advantages and disadvantages. The biggest reason for reformatting, though, is if you want to change the file system used on the drive to something else. For example, formatting typically removes most of the data on a drive, making it a quicker way to erase a large drive than simply deleting everything on it. ![]()
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