exFATs

exFAT, which stands for Extended File Allocation Table, is a file system developed by Microsoft. It was designed to overcome the limitations of FAT32, particularly its maximum file size limit of 4GB. exFAT supports significantly larger file sizes and volumes, making it suitable for flash drives, SD cards, and other portable storage media.

One of the key advantages of exFAT is its broad compatibility. It is supported by a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as many digital cameras and media players. This cross-platform support makes it a convenient choice for transferring data between different devices.

Compared to more advanced file systems like NTFS or HFS+, exFAT offers less overhead and simpler functionality. It does not include features such as journaling, file permissions, or compression, which are common in desktop operating systems. This simplicity contributes to its performance on flash-based storage, where write operations can be more taxing.

exFAT is often the default file system for high-capacity SD cards (SDXC and SDUC) and USB flash drives. Its ability to handle large files and large storage capacities, combined with its widespread compatibility, makes it a practical solution for modern portable storage needs. However, for internal drives or situations requiring advanced file system features, other options might be more appropriate.