220-1101 Question 253
Single answerRemovable storageA technician is preparing a 128 GB USB flash drive to transfer a 20 GB video file from a Windows 11 workstation to a macOS laptop used by a client. The client also wants to copy additional files to the drive later from either system without installing extra software. Which file system should the technician choose when formatting the removable drive?
- A
FAT32
- B
NTFS
- C
exFAT
- D
ext4
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The key requirements are cross-platform compatibility and support for a single file larger than 4 GB. FAT32 fails because of its 4 GB maximum file-size limitation, a common issue on removable storage. NTFS is excellent for Windows systems but is not the best cross-platform removable-storage format when macOS users need native write access. exFAT is the recommended choice for modern removable media when large files must be shared between Windows and macOS. This aligns with common vendor documentation and operating system best practices: Microsoft documents FAT32 file-size limitations, and both Microsoft and Apple support exFAT for interoperable removable storage.
- A. Incorrect.
FAT32 is incorrect because, although it is widely compatible with Windows and macOS, it has a maximum individual file size of 4 GB. A 20 GB video file cannot be stored on a FAT32-formatted removable drive, making this an unsuitable choice for the scenario.
- B. Incorrect.
NTFS is incorrect because Windows supports NTFS fully, but macOS typically provides only native read access without reliable native write support for general use. Since the client wants to add files later from either operating system without extra software, NTFS does not best meet the requirement.
- C. Correct.
exFAT is correct because it supports files larger than 4 GB and is designed for flash storage and other removable media. It is supported by modern versions of both Windows and macOS with read/write capability, making it the best choice for transferring a 20 GB file and allowing future use on both systems without additional software.
- D. Incorrect.
ext4 is incorrect because it is primarily a Linux file system and is not natively supported for normal read/write use in Windows or macOS. Choosing ext4 would create compatibility problems for the client in this cross-platform environment.