Latest versions of Windows can not be installed on this old file system. FAT32įAT32 is also designed by Microsoft, but it’s an older file system. Mac OS X can only read from NTFS drives but not write to them by default, even if the write support actually exists in the driver, but is disabled. Windows and Linux (with the proper driver) can write and read to NTFS drives. NTFS a.k.a New Technology File System is developed by Microsoft as a proprietary file system for Windows OS. Below are the most common file systems used by popular operating systems. If you’re not sure, and if you’re using a recent version of Windows (8, 10) pick NTFS since it works well for most people. You need to use the file system that works the best for you. Here’s how to simply format a Windows disk, but let’s look at a few definitions first: File SystemsĮach operating system uses different file systems to read and write data. It’s not something people do everyday, so it’s OK to have forgotten the steps, or to be a little queezy about doing it. Formatting a hard drive is a quick way to erasing all content and cleaning a disk up before a sale, or a system installation.

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