In computer storage, a file system is a mechanism used to manage files and directories. Different operating systems use different file systems, such as NTFS used by Windows and ext4 used by Linux. In this article, we will introduce and explain various mainstream file systems. One annoying point is that disks formatted with mkfs.ext4 under Linux cannot be recognized by Windows, or Linux cannot be used under Windows. The same goes for MacBook systems. When researching Hackintosh, I had to prepare several USB drives to switch back and forth. None of the systems are compatible.
- ext4
ext4 is a commonly used file system in Linux and an upgrade from ext3. It supports larger files and faster file system checks. Compared to ext3, ext4 has improved data integrity, performance, and scalability. It also supports larger maximum file system size, maximum file size, and faster read/write speeds. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as longer time required for file system checks.
- NTFS
NTFS is the default file system in Windows operating systems. It supports larger files and partition sizes, and provides higher security and reliability. NTFS also supports many advanced features such as encryption, compression, and permission control. However, NTFS also has some issues, such as the need for longer time for disk defragmentation.
- FAT32
FAT32 is an earlier file system widely used in Windows and other operating systems. It supports smaller partition and file sizes, and is easy to use and maintain. However, FAT32 also has some limitations, such as a maximum file size of 4GB and a partition size of 2TB.
- exFAT
exFAT is a newer file system designed to support larger files and partition sizes. It is an upgrade from FAT32 and supports a maximum file size of 16EB and a maximum partition size of 64ZB. exFAT also offers higher read/write speeds and better compatibility. However, exFAT is not suitable for all operating systems, such as older versions of Windows and Linux.
- APFS
APFS is a new file system developed by Apple to replace HFS+. It supports larger files and partition sizes, and provides higher performance, reliability, and data integrity. APFS also supports advanced features such as snapshots, encryption, and compression. However, APFS is not compatible with all devices, such as older versions of Mac OS X.
Summary
Different operating systems use different file systems, and each file system has its advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the right file system depends on your needs and operating system. If you need support for larger files and partition sizes, you can choose exFAT or NTFS. If you need higher performance and data integrity, you can choose ext4 or APFS. Regardless of which file system you choose, make sure to back up important data and regularly perform disk checks and maintenance.