On a computer, files are always stored in an ordered format in logical locations to avoid errors when receiving them at the request of users. There are many standard file systems that do the job of managing data flawlessly because they understand the importance of memory and storage devices. Some of these systems are exFAT, FAT32, FAT12, FAT16, EXT4, EXT2, NTFS and others. Such systems have their own logic, structure, security, and more.
In this article, we will briefly learn about two file storage systems; exFAT and NTFS, and compare them to see which is better. Without further ado, let’s get started.
Summary on data organization systems: exFAT and NTFS
Microsoft understands the need for internal hard drives in computers to store data and information. Therefore, it brought advanced technology systems like exFAT and NTFS, capable of storing large files and folders that are logically stacked for easy retrieval. Let’s say you get 1TB of data storage on your PC, while this sounds like an amazing deal your computer would have trouble handling all of that, that’s where exFat and NTFS come into play.
The exFAT (Extended File Allocation System) file storage system is much better than the NTFS system because the former is capable of storing files larger than 4 GB and is compatible with various operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux. Interestingly, this file system developed by Microsoft has been useful for cameras, camcorders, and other devices that require high-capacity storage.
On the other hand, NTFS, or New Technology File System, is the modern file management system currently supported by Windows versions like Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 8, Windows 10, and more. It supports maximum storage volume support, more than many other file storage systems like FAT32, up to 1 billion gigabytes.
Everyone knows the value of cloud data storage companies, but the hard part is determining which of their products is best for you. Read the rest of the article to find out which is better exFAT Vs. NTFS.
What is exFAT and some of its features?
exFAT, an extended file allocation table, is supported by Windows XP, macOS 10.6.5, and their respective later storage systems through its simple flat addressing scheme. It supports precise timestamps and supports large storage devices up to a volume of 128 petabytes. Interestingly, this file system prevents data loss due to the file allocation system keeping a copy of everything.
Here is a list of the pros and cons of exFAT
- It is capable of supporting large files.
- Cooperative with operating systems.
- No realistic file or partition size limits.
- It does not work with the old operating system.
- Absence of advanced features that are present in NTFS.
Now, let’s understand its features one by one.
- Large Storage Support: The exFAT file system is compatible with it, providing storage support for file sizes up to 16 exbibytes. The individual file size limit could exceed 4 GB. exFAT has a volume strength of up to 128 petabytes (1 petabyte = 1 million gigabytes) collectively.
- Backup for any loss: The file allocation system it uses maintains the backup and therefore saves files when they are lost.
- Directory and storage method: The directory structure for exFAT file storage is quite simple. It does not involve any complex encrypted database as only a file allocation table is used to track any file or its location.
- No journaling: exFAT does not have many additional features and capabilities, and one of the gaps is “no journaling”. Journaling is a function that keeps a record of all changes made to a file system.
exFAT does not have much enhanced features to avoid problems like corruption, where backup in a registry file system is extremely required.
What is NTFS and some of its features
NTFS, or New Technology File System, helps you better organize files and your storage systems through several advanced controls and features. Developed by Microsoft, it is currently used in various versions of Windows like Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 10 and more.
You can read the pros and cons of NTFS for a better understanding.
- It is capable of supporting large files.
- There is no partition size limit present.
- Allows compression of files and folders.
- User can configure file permissions and encryption.
- It does not work with the old operating system.
Below is a brief description of its features.
- Large Storage Support – Yes, this file system supports up to 16 exabytes (1 exabyte: 1 trillion gigabytes), which is completely more than any other file system. Therefore, NTFS technology has the ability to maintain a large stack of files and their respective storage through its advanced system.
- Strong file backup: Therefore, the new technology file system maintains an Encrypting File System (EFS) that encrypts the file data to keep it safe. Furthermore, this system is quite efficient as it reduces the use of disk storage by compressing the files and folders in its path.
- File organization: NTFS stores each and every file in a single file record, which includes all the main information about the file attributes. This Windows based system is supportive and reliable if any file gets corrupted. The built-in encryption system helps protect sensitive user information.
- Journaling – To keep track of file logs securely, NTFS saves each file via a journaling feature for quick retrieval in times of need.
Learning about NTFS and its features was fun. Now, let’s see how exFAT and NTFS file storage systems differ.
Difference between exFAT and NTFS
The given table differentiates the two most widely used file storage systems: exFAT and NTFS.
| exFAT | NTFS |
| The file allocation system maintains backups and helps during any loss. | Stores files in encrypted format; therefore, the file backup system is very robust. |
| The functions do not involve journaling to maintain history details related to any file system. | Have a secure journal system that keeps track of all changes made to the file system. |
| It is not very secure with its simple configuration of the file allocation system. | Powerful and secure as NTFS keeps all your data saved and designed in an encrypted form, making it impossible to crack. |
| It does not support large file names. | Supports large file names of up to 255 characters. |
If you have understood the differences, a comparison between the two will clear things up for you.
Also Read: Cloud Storage or Server Storage? Which is the best for your company?
Comparison between exFAT and NTFS
After reviewing the differences and features of exFAT and NTFS, you can consider the following comparison table to know more about the two file systems.
| exFAT | NTFS | |
| Full name | Extended file allocation table | New Technology File System |
| Release year | 2006 | 1993 |
| developer | Microsoft | Microsoft |
| Compatibility | All versions of Windows, modern versions of macOS and Linux. | All versions of Windows, read-only on macOS and some Linux distributions. |
| Used for | It provides a larger file size, making it better for external storage. | It works efficiently for the internal drive of a Windows system. |
| Overall performance | High | Low in small volumes and high in large volumes. |
| Volume size limit | 128 BP | 8 BP |
| file size limit | 16 EB | 8 BP |
| Maximum number of files | about unlimited | 4,294,967,295 (232 – 1) |
| Fault tolerance | Only when TFAT is activated. | Maximum |
| transparent encryption | Not available | Not available |
| access speed | It works quickly for external devices like USB. | It works fast for internal drives. |
| Compression | No | Yeah |
After performing the comparison, you can get an idea of which file system is better in which aspect.
exFAT vs NTFS: which one should be used?
First things first, exFAT will be used for external hard drives and NTFS for internal hard drives. NTFS is faster, clearly outperforming exFAT and using even fewer system resources. On the other hand, exFAT is better for writing large and medium data than NTFS. But, NTFS works best when handling multiple small file sizes.
If you are a gamer, you should know that games installed on external hard drives need exFAT as it works better in reading and writing than NTFS. Also, exFAT proves to be better for writing files for different operating systems because NTFS is limited to all versions of Windows. However, you must choose NTFS for a removable disk.
So it totally depends on the file size, number, drive and operating system to choose one of the file systems.
final thoughts
The article brought a brief discussion of the NTFS and exFAT file storage systems, popular for keeping loads of storage in their own systematic way. Both are trusted by users for various reasons, such as security and mapping settings. At last, NTFS seems like a reliable and powerful support storage system due to its robust file system and backups.
Categories: Technology
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
