Should I format USB sticks and SD cards to FAT, FAT32, exFAT or NTFS? (Windows files, live Linux distors)

Posted by superuser on Super User See other posts from Super User or by superuser
Published on 2013-01-13T09:28:42Z Indexed on 2014/08/24 10:23 UTC
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Filed under:

linux

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usb-flash-drive

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fat32

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liveusb

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fat16

Does it depend on the media size which one to chose or on some other parameters? In Windows 7 FAT16 is the default. In pendrivelinux.com's Universal USB Installer FAT32. Which one to chose? How about NTFS for Windows use?

How about exFAT? It is tne Microsoft designed filesystem for removable media. Is there a difference in USB sticks and SD cards in this regard?

Edit: seeing developments in the other thread, should I still use something like exFAT if I don't want Recycle bins created on every single machine I plug my USB thumb drive in?

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