FAT32
FAT32 (File Allocation Table 32) is a 32-bit file system developed by Microsoft for organizing files on a storage device, such as a hard drive or USB drive. It is known for its wide compatibility across different operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a popular choice for flash memory cards and USB drives. Key limitations include a 4GB maximum file size and a 2TB maximum partition size.
Key features of FAT32
File organization: FAT32 organizes files using a "file allocation table" that keeps track of which sectors on the drive belong to which file.
Compatibility: It is supported by nearly all major operating systems and devices, ensuring that files can be shared easily between different systems without conversion.
Increased capacity: Compared to its predecessor, FAT16, FAT32 can manage larger drive capacities (up to 2TB) and supports more clusters.
Limitations: The major drawback is its 4GB maximum file size, which means a single file cannot be larger than this limit.
Use cases: Because of its compatibility, FAT32 is often used for removable media like SD cards and USB drives, and for external hard drives where cross-platform use is needed.
Successor: For larger files or drives, its successor, exFAT, was developed and supports much larger file and partition sizes.
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