FAT or NTFS

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harryray2
Posts: 1050
Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2016 9:56 am

FAT or NTFS

Post by harryray2 »

As far as Everything is concerned is using FAT or NTFS on a USB stick better or is there no difference?
void
Developer
Posts: 15352
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: FAT or NTFS

Post by void »

Everything prefers NTFS.

Everything can detect all changes to NTFS volumes thanks to the USN Journal.

While detecting changes to FAT volumes is OK, Everything will miss changes when it is not running.



Please keep in mind some devices cannot read NTFS volumes.
I recommend NTFS if the USB stick is only ever going to be used on a PC.
harryray2
Posts: 1050
Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2016 9:56 am

Re: FAT or NTFS

Post by harryray2 »

Yes, thanks, that's what I thought..probably solve a few minor niggling problems.
Will this solve a problem I'm having with Everything still listing the drives after it has been removed?


I suppose the only problem is the journal using up some extra space and I'm wondering if extra 'wear' is an issue.
void
Developer
Posts: 15352
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: FAT or NTFS

Post by void »

Everything 1.5 likes to keep offline volumes in your index.

To automatically remove offline volumes:
  • In Everything, from the Tools menu, click Options.
  • Click the FAT tab on the left.
  • Check Automatically remove offline volumes.
  • Click the NTFS tab on the left.
  • Check Automatically remove offline volumes.
  • Click OK.
There should be no notable wear between FAT and NTFS formats.
harryray2
Posts: 1050
Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2016 9:56 am

Re: FAT or NTFS

Post by harryray2 »

Ah yes, I think I was being thick and just removing offline volumes on NTFS.

I actually meant extra wear relating to the writing of the journal...do you know roughly how much space the journal takes up?
void
Developer
Posts: 15352
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: FAT or NTFS

Post by void »

32 MB when full (with default settings)

Each USN Journal change entry will be about 1KB.

Most USB disks can rewrite to the same sector more than 1000 times.
It would take 16,777,216,000 changes to reach this limit on a 16GB USB stick.
In other words, don't worry about wear from the USN journal.
harryray2
Posts: 1050
Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2016 9:56 am

Re: FAT or NTFS

Post by harryray2 »

Thank you...
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