FAT32 is one of the oldest file systems still in common use, and it remains the most universally compatible option for USB flash drives and SD cards. Almost any computer, camera, games console or embedded device can read and write a FAT32 formatted drive without additional software.
The major limitation of FAT32 is a maximum single file size of 4 GB, which can be a problem when copying large video files or disk images. Its more modern successor, exFAT, removes this limit while keeping similarly broad compatibility, making it a better general purpose choice for larger files.
FAT32 remains a sensible choice for small drives used mainly for compatibility, such as bootable USB installers for some systems, where FAT32 support is still commonly required. See our guide to USB flash drives for practical formatting advice.
