whats the differance ntfs and fat 32

allnighter · Apr 25, 2006, 02:53 AM

my p c uses ntfs file system and some older software ect wont run on it.
is fat 32 better or worse and what realy is the differance

e v o · Apr 30, 2006, 02:34 AM

NTFS

FAT32

I'm not an expert on this, but NTFS is the newer file system, and is better used for larger hard drives. FAT32 is more efficient for smaller storage, and is still used for pen drives etc.

hope this helps somewhat, you can always throw "ntfs vs fat32" in google

pr0digal jenius · Apr 30, 2006, 06:30 AM

NTFS is faster, has support for MUCH larger systems, and is indexed, which increases the speed...a lot.

FAT32 is older, slower, but yes, more compatible with stuff...however, most stuff that requires FAT32 is old and approaching "obsolete" now [aside from jump drives and stuff, they are FAT32 simply because they aren't indexed and for compatibility's sake], especially with M$ dumping windows 98 support.

PangingJr · Apr 30, 2006, 06:00 PM

NTFS is superior to FAT32 in terms of reliability, security, and efficiency.
the maximum FAT32 partition size that you can create in Windows XP is 32 GB, however, the OS can still read and write any FAT32 partition larger than 32 GB. while NTFS has no such limitation.

NTFS is good for a lot of things - but in many cases, FAT32 is faster.
because NTFS has more reliability, security, and efficiency, I still like to use NTFS.

Apr 25, 2006, 02:53 AM	#1
allnighter DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0	whats the differance ntfs and fat 32 my p c uses ntfs file system and some older software ect wont run on it. is fat 32 better or worse and what realy is the differance

Apr 30, 2006, 02:34 AM	#2
e v o HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,037 Rep Power: 47 System Specs	NTFS FAT32 I'm not an expert on this, but NTFS is the newer file system, and is better used for larger hard drives. FAT32 is more efficient for smaller storage, and is still used for pen drives etc. hope this helps somewhat, you can always throw "ntfs vs fat32" in google __________________

Apr 30, 2006, 06:30 AM	#3
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	NTFS is faster, has support for MUCH larger systems, and is indexed, which increases the speed...a lot. FAT32 is older, slower, but yes, more compatible with stuff...however, most stuff that requires FAT32 is old and approaching "obsolete" now [aside from jump drives and stuff, they are FAT32 simply because they aren't indexed and for compatibility's sake], especially with M$ dumping windows 98 support.

Apr 30, 2006, 06:00 PM	#4
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 69	NTFS is superior to FAT32 in terms of reliability, security, and efficiency. the maximum FAT32 partition size that you can create in Windows XP is 32 GB, however, the OS can still read and write any FAT32 partition larger than 32 GB. while NTFS has no such limitation. NTFS is good for a lot of things - but in many cases, FAT32 is faster. because NTFS has more reliability, security, and efficiency, I still like to use NTFS.