exFATformatted

exFAT, short for Extended File Allocation Table, is a file system developed by Microsoft. It is designed to provide compatibility between Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems, making it an ideal choice for external storage devices such as USB flash drives, memory cards, and external hard drives. exFAT is particularly useful for large files and high-capacity storage media, as it supports file sizes up to 16 exabytes and volumes up to 128 petabytes.

The exFAT file system was introduced to address the limitations of the FAT32 file system, which has a maximum file size limit of 4 gigabytes and a maximum volume size of 2 terabytes. Unlike FAT32, exFAT does not require a file allocation table (FAT) to be loaded into memory, which makes it more efficient for large files and high-capacity storage devices. Additionally, exFAT supports long file names and Unicode, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

exFAT is not without its limitations. It does not support file permissions or ownership, which can be a drawback for users who need to share files between different operating systems with specific access controls. Furthermore, exFAT does not support journaling, which can lead to data corruption in the event of a power failure or system crash.

Despite these limitations, exFAT remains a popular choice for external storage devices due to its compatibility, efficiency, and support for large files and high-capacity storage media. It is widely supported by modern operating systems and is often used in conjunction with other file systems, such as NTFS for Windows and HFS+ for macOS, to provide a comprehensive storage solution.