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Topic starter 01/08/2025 9:59 pm
🗂️ FAT32 (File Allocation Table 32-bit) is a legacy file system developed by Microsoft in the mid-1990s. It’s simple, widely compatible, and still used today—especially for USB drives, SD cards, and other removable media.
🧠 Key Features
- 32-bit addressing: Supports partitions up to 8 TB and individual files up to 4 GB
- Cluster-based storage: Organizes data into clusters for efficient access
- Cross-platform compatibility: Works with Windows, macOS, Linux, game consoles, and more
- Low overhead: Minimal system resources required—ideal for embedded systems
📐 Technical Specs
| Attribute | FAT32 Details |
|---|---|
| Max file size | 4 GB |
| Max partition size | 8 TB |
| Filename length | 255 characters |
| Journaling | ❌ No (less crash protection) |
| Supported OS | Windows, macOS, Linux, consoles |
🧪 Real-World Use Cases
- USB drives: FAT32 ensures plug-and-play compatibility across devices
- SD cards: Common format for cameras and handheld devices
- Bootable media: Used for BIOS updates or OS installation tools
- Legacy systems: Still supported by older hardware and operating systems
⚠️ Limitations
- No support for files over 4 GB—a dealbreaker for HD videos or large backups
- No journaling—less resilient to power loss or crashes
- Less secure—no native file permissions or encryption
🆚 FAT32 vs NTFS vs exFAT
| Feature | FAT32 | NTFS | exFAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max file size | 4 GB | 16 TB+ | 16 EB |
| Compatibility | Very high | Windows only | High |
| Journaling | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Best for | Removable media | Internal drives | Large flash drives |
