Vista SP1 to Intro Backward Incompatible exFAT

August 31st, 2007

DON'T MISS

FAT32's 4GB file limit and 32GB (3rd party utility like one came with Drobo can format in 2TB) drive limit are two crippling limitations for flash drives, Hi-Def solid-state camcorders and large external hard drives. So, Redmond has developed some time ago a new file system for flash media called exFAT that keeps to the same level of overheads as its predecessor while uplifting the file limit to 16 Exbytes from 4GB previously, offering extensible directory structure and introducing free space bitmap for improved free space allocation performance.

Unfortunately, users may not be able to take advantage of this on older Windows and other competing OSes for that matter as Microsoft is likely not going to release exFAT under a free enough license. That is not to mention exFAT is an incompatible replacement for FAT so the situation could end up like NTFS. Look for exFAT in the upcoming Vista SP1.

Filed under USB Flash Drives

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