ExFAT vs MS-DOS FAT

What is ExFAT and MS-DOS FAT?

When formatting a USB flash drive or external drive on your Mac, it’s important to understand the difference between exFAT and MS-DOS FAT. These are file systems that determine how files are organized and stored on devices, such as a USB flash drive, external hard drive, or SD card.  

ExFAT (Extended File Allocation Table) was developed by Microsoft to handle files larger than 4 GB, so it’s suitable for high-resolution videos, extensive photo collections, backups, and other large files. Another advantage of ExFAT is that it’s fully supported by both macOS and Windows without requiring additional software. As a result, it’s an excellent option if you often move files between two operating systems. However, if you’re wondering how to transfer data from Mac to Mac, ExFAT is also a good solution, as it allows you to move any files, no matter how large they are.  

MS-DOS FAT (Microsoft Disk Operating System with the File Allocation Table) is an older file system that can be read by smart TVs, gaming consoles, printers, and old computers. However, it has one major drawback, as it can’t store files larger than 4 GB. Because of the size restrictions, MS-DOS FAT isn’t the best choice for modern storage devices or for transferring large files.  

A note from our experts: 

 

Before choosing ExFAT or MS-DOS FAT to transfer files to external drives, it’s a good idea to organize your data and clean up your Mac. Over time, your Mac can accumulate duplicate photos, videos, downloads, and documents. Copying these duplicates to USB drives only wastes valuable storage space and makes it harder to find the file you actually need.  

 

MacKeeper’s Duplicates Finder is an excellent solution. It quickly scans your Mac, identifies duplicates, and safely removes unnecessary copies, leaving you with a clean and well-organized file library before the transfer.

 

Follow these steps to remove duplicates from your Mac with MacKeeper’s Duplicates Finder:

1. Download and launch the MacKeeper app.
2. Find the Duplicates Finder tool in the left sidebar.
3. Click the Start Scan button to scan your Mac for duplicates.  
4. When the scan is over, choose duplicates you don’t need > click Remove Selected to delete them > confirm their deletion.

Differences between ExFAT and MS-DOS FAT

Although ExFAT and MS-DOS FAT are both file systems that work with macOS and Windows, they have several differences. Here’s a comparison of their key features:

If you’re trying to discover how to move files on Mac, ExFAT seems to be a better choice at first sight. That’s because ExFAT supports files larger than 4 GB, making it easy to transfer videos, backups, and other large files between Macs and Windows.

However, MS-DOS FAT is also useful for some purposes. It’s a perfect option when you connect your USB drive to older devices, such as smart TVs, printers, and game consoles.  

When to use ExFAT and when MS-DOS FAT?

When deciding ExFAT vs MS-DOS FAT, think about how you’ll use your portable drive. Your choice depends on the type of files you store and the device you’ll connect the drive to.  

Choose ExFAT if you need to store large files or transfer data between macOS and Windows. It’s especially useful for video editing, backing up data from your Mac, or storing large photo collections. If you see the error message can’t be copied because it’s too large for the volume’s format on Mac, it means your drive is using MS-DOS FAT because the file exceeds the 4 GB limit. Formatting the drive as ExFAT removes this limitation.  

Choose MS-DOS FAT if you don’t plan to store large files and if your external drive will be used with older devices. While MS-DOS FAT isn’t suitable for large videos or backups, it’s a practical choice for sharing pictures, documents, or other small files across older hardware.  

Conclusion

Before choosing between ExFAT and MS-DOS FAT, you have to decide how you’re going to use your storage device. If you frequently share large files or switch between macOS and Windows, ExFAT is a better choice for you. It supports files larger than 4 GB and works between both operating systems. If you need compatibility with older devices and only work with files smaller than 4 GB, MS-DOS FAT can help to fulfill your task.  

Before transferring your data to external drives, don’t forget to organize your files. MacKeeper’s Duplicates Finder quickly finds and removes unnecessary duplicates that may be occupying a significant amount of storage space. By cleaning up and organizing your files first, you can ensure a faster and more efficient file transfer.