Formatting Drives: What File Structure Should I Use (NTFS, FAT32, exFAT)

Formatting a drive is the process of deleting all files and starting with a clean slate. There are 3 common file structures to format your drives into. We cover how to format your drive and discuss what file types are best for the 3 most common scenarios. NTFS(NT File System), FAT32(File Allocation Table 32) and exFAT(Extended File Allocation Table).
File Structure: www.howtogeek.com/235596/what...
Partitions: www.howtogeek.com/school/usin...
0:00 Intro
0:46 Format Utility
2:01 FAT32
2:50 NTFS
3:14 exFAT
3:43 Formatting
5:24 More Videos!
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[@DJBigMac209]

Thank you! Unlike the many videos trying to teach the same thing, your video was straight to the point , easy to understand and no extra BS in between. I appreciate your time!

[@HelpCloud]

Glad it helped out! Appreciate the feedback.

[@tjuk8050]

@@HelpCloud I have no access to a PC I just have a tablet and smartphone an PS4. I bought a 1TB 3.0 flash drive and have formatted it as exfat but can't upload any more videos than the 64ish gb ive uploaded to it when I do it just says we can't play this media (what do I do) ?

[@lelanddamon5573]

That was cool no babbling straight to the point, detailed definitions and very useful for someone how had no idea what different file types meant or for someone how wasn’t exactly sure 👍 TY for your time putting this info out here.

[@HelpCloud]

Thank you!

[@TheSuccessfulLeader]

Excellent Job. Your delivery gave me that added connection needed for my formatting.

[@HelpCloud]

Perfect!

[@Darignobullseye]

Thank You! Very Helpful and allows me to understand my choices on different formats.

[@HelpCloud]

Glad it was helpful!!

[@SpiritintheSky.]

(1.1.24) Eloquently explained. I'm now much the wiser. Thank you. PS I've subscribed and hope you'll continue making videos during 2024.

[@projecte]

Much appreciated on the precise, to the point info!

[@bmzaron713]

Thanks a lot for the easy to understand comparison layout :)

[@HelpCloud]

Glad it was helpful!!

[@fybianfyablo5852]

That was great. Thanks.

[@HelpCloud]

You're welcome!

[@sanjaykrishna2646]

I am having SanDisk 64gb pendrive. It was defaultly selected as exfat and it has only exfat and nfts, no fat32. I wasn't able to use exfat on tv and i changed it to NTFS and now it worked. Will this slow my pendrive or is there any other problem with NTFS

[@apersonwhoknows]

What format would you suggest when creating a media windows tool to install into a laptop? Or the allocation size?

[@ally66699]

Thanx

[@hawnborn7497]

Im trying to upload family videos and sons basketball games to the external hard drive but not sure which format is best for just uploading straight from phone to hard drive.

[@ARBhat523]

I want to format my USB to create a recovery drive for windows 11 . Which should I use?

[@reggiejones6999]

I bought a new LG CM4590 boom box stereo with 2 USB ports. I have spent a week trying to get the ports to recognize the flash drives. I have gone from 64gig, 32 gig and now 16 gig. The drives playin the PC and car USB ports, but not home stereo. I even took the unit to retailer and exchanged it, same issue. I need those ports to work. Can you enlighten? I have tried all 3 formats, Fat32, exFat and the other one, can’t remember name. I am pulling out my hair! Thanks

[@randyragsdale23]

So Helpcloud if I want to transfer files from a Windows laptop to a Mac, I should use ExFat to format my drive. Correct?

[@sanjaykrishna2646]

Whenever I plug my usb on Android. It automatically creates file( like Android, media, podcasts etc). I think it's default thing but it's so annoying. Is there any way to remove these things or should I let it like that

[@SultriAccess]

How do i format it for my andriod? Its a NTFS .Apparently it doesn't work.

[@cooperread492]

Thank you for the info. Do you know if exfat is compatible at movie theaters? Almost every theater uses Microsoft to run their films.

[@HelpCloud]

That I don't know.

[@nikkojaycalixtro]

The default file format of my flashdrive is fat32, the speed is 100mbps. If I will formatted it in NTFS? Would it change the transfer speed?

[@HelpCloud]

Speed will not change.

[@jenjens1773]

what if i formatted my fLash drive exfat into nfts so that i can use it on my tv, can i use on phone too ?

[@HelpCloud]

NTFS is a windows format, to work on multiple devices, I would format it back to exFAT. Make sure your data is safe.

[@alwantsani1490]

I use ntfs and work on my tv

[@alwantsani1490]

I use ntfs and work on my tv

[@Tahsin_Hussain]

Recently bought a 1TB SanDisk Portable SSD. Then when I copied 397 GB data, Size on the Disk showed 805 GB, I was very annoyed and don't know why. What is the best Ex FAT allocation size should I use for 1TB SSD

[@HelpCloud]

Because a 1 TB drive isn't a true 1 TB, after allocation, they are closer to 8-850GB. This is true for most drives.

[@goldfishcrackers7845]

Hi! Thank you for this informative video! But I am curious what does happen if I un-tick the "Quick Format" option. I am particularly curious because my hard drive already has a lot of files in there and I can't really back them somewhere else while reformating. Therefore, does un-ticking "Quick Format" retain all my files but at the cost of some time for it to re-format? 🙏🏻

[@HelpCloud]

It does not.

[@Connor_Dempsey]

I unticked it and it took 3 days to format what a nightmare

[@btran213]

@@HelpCloud 2 questions 4 u bro? should i format my 4TB WD to fat32 to be able to store movies? and does fat32 allow for both pc and mac use? thank u

[@BennyTravelTV]

What is the best format for external hard drive. For android tv?

[@Jonsoar]

My question as well. On my Linux Ubuntu machine I have 3 options to format an external hard drive...Ext4, NTFS, and FAT. I tried the FAT way and the outcome was my 4TB drive turned into a 2.2TB drive lol. What is Ext4?

[@Doctortech1]

On my wd my book 8tb which format is better the windows one or exfat? Because I want to backup my files from other drives and access them on my phone but the window's option has a app called Microsoft exFAT/NTFS for USB by Paragon Software.

[@HelpCloud]

I would use exFAT, this format is used between all operating systems in case you need to move it around.

[@Doctortech1]

@@HelpCloud but is it alright to use exfat on a 8tb hard drive.

[@emersonsrandomvideos248]

I still don't understand why exfat, nysf?

[@dev4911]

Sir, first of all thanks for the video. I have a question: I purchased a Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 (Android OS). Can I use an SSD with the tab? The tab has USB 2.0 Type C port. Will I need an OTG to connect the two? And if it is possible, then can the tab read the contents on the SSD, and write from it? My tab has a 7040mah battery, so will it be able to supply power to the SSD for running? I want to buy an SSD and load movies into it so that I can watch them on my tab (by copying the movie I want to watch into the tab). And should I format the blank SSD to exFAT before using it with my tab? I mean, which format among the three you mentioned is best for connecting SSD to Samsung tab?

[@HelpCloud]

Yes, the tablet will need an OTG adapter that should allow it to connect to the SSD! You will want the exFAT format type since that works the best for non windows/mac devices.

[@dev4911]

@@HelpCloud thanks for the reply 🙂 And keep up the good work 👍

[@jamie3226]

Hi where is the allocation size video?

[@HelpCloud]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJisYqyGjt2Kfqc

[@matthewbabin9033]

So I'm going from windows 7 to windows 10. But my drummer uses mac to transfer files. So I should use exfat??

[@matthewbabin9033]

Def helped point me in the right direction. Just wanted solid proof for my scenario. Left a like an a sub to help out. Thanks

[@HelpCloud]

exFat will be the best for the both of you. I have an external drive and I use exFAT between my Mac and PC and I can read/write with both.

[@jake_a.lien_]

So is exFAT or FAT32 more reliable/safe/stable/less corruptible OR does it not make a difference? (Assume that file size does not matter)

[@HelpCloud]

At this point, the difference between the 2 is minimal. If you had to choose one or the other, FAT32 works with all operating systems and proven reliability aside from the file size limits.

[@ericlloyd7981]

no help, i even let it format for over 24 hours and nothing, my only options were NTFS or default exFAT no FAT32 option, the few files i loaded onto it for testing are stuck on it wont delete and wont accept any more files either, wont accept name change to anything, its been 3 days fighting with this brand new Lexar (S45) 64g jump drive, and im sure someone out there can only reccommend i download some super hero program. No viruses as the files were from a daily used identical model usb I transfered to if for the test.

[@claudioromantiko684]

I still prefer FAT32 because of its compatibility

[@shubhamdwivedi7766]

Uses by default FAT then tries to copy 4gb+ file from pendrive, gets an error can't copy large file. Me:It's not that large atleast by todays standards lol Computer: Still I won't allow it. Also me: I forgot to format to NTFS damn. Then splits the data with built-in linux tool. Computer:......

[@SheckleRFan715]

why is exfat too slow to upload

[@HelpCloud]

All depends on the drive speed and system specs.

[@poseidon3032]

The problem I'm having is every time I format an USB jump drive, I lose access to it. What the hell is going on? Bad software? Bad USB port?

[@HelpCloud]

Could be either, do you have another to test with?

[@poseidon3032]

@@HelpCloud Yes. I could try a different computer. I got the program Etch from my research. Maybe it can be better. Are we not supposed to use anything other than fat32 on USB drives? I've tried NTFS with little success. Never tried exFAT which sounds hopeful.

[@stupidubfr3324]

I have a Samsung t5 ssd im using it to store family memories and high quality movies and being able to read with most tv's and video players PS: i cant read it plugged in the usb of an lg tv it that because i didnt format the ssd at all? But i can read it on a freebox player without problem

[@HelpCloud]

That is most likely because of the format type.

[@soseikiharagatatsu7859]

So exfat is actually much better than fat 32

[@Xyb3rTeCh]

@2:22 It's c-o-m-p-a-t-i-b-i-l-i-t-y

[@HelpCloud]

Ya, it was a typo!

[@137Peter137]

Nice if u can make brighter videos

[@HelpCloud]

Care to ellaborate?

[@malcomflibbleghast8140]

i got nothing from this vid.

[@HelpCloud]

Sorry.

[@njramos7368]

maybe your blind? deaf or in a wrong content