220-1102 Question 11
Single answerVarious filesystem typesA technician is preparing a 256 GB USB external drive that will be shared between Windows 11 laptops and macOS systems used by a graphics team. The drive must support individual files larger than 10 GB, and the team wants to avoid installing third-party filesystem drivers on either operating system. Which filesystem should the technician choose?
- A
FAT32
- B
NTFS
- C
exFAT
- D
ext4
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The best answer is exFAT because it balances large-file support with native interoperability between Windows and macOS. FAT32 is still common on removable media, but its 4 GB maximum file size is a critical limitation in real-world environments involving video, graphics, backups, or disk images. NTFS is excellent for Windows systems and provides features such as permissions, encryption support, and journaling, but it is not the best choice when full native write compatibility with macOS is required. ext4 is a Linux-native filesystem and is not suitable here. This aligns with common vendor guidance from Microsoft and Apple: exFAT is the recommended format for removable storage that must be used across both operating systems while supporting large files.
- A. Incorrect.
FAT32 is incorrect because, although it is widely compatible with Windows and macOS, it has a maximum file size limit of 4 GB. That makes it unsuitable for graphics or media workflows involving files larger than 10 GB. A common misconception is that FAT32 is the best cross-platform choice simply because it is broadly supported, but its file-size limitation is a major practical drawback.
- B. Incorrect.
NTFS is incorrect because Windows supports it fully, but macOS typically provides native read-only access without additional third-party software or special configuration for reliable write access. Since the requirement is to avoid third-party filesystem drivers and allow normal use across both operating systems, NTFS does not meet the scenario well. Many technicians choose NTFS because it is the default modern Windows filesystem, but that does not make it the best cross-platform removable-drive option.
- C. Correct.
exFAT is correct because it is designed for flash storage and removable media, supports files larger than 4 GB, and is natively supported for read and write by modern versions of both Windows and macOS. In this scenario, exFAT best satisfies all requirements: cross-platform compatibility, support for very large files, and no need for third-party drivers.
- D. Incorrect.
ext4 is incorrect because it is primarily a Linux filesystem and is not natively supported by Windows or macOS for standard read/write use. A technician might select ext4 if they are familiar with Linux performance or reliability benefits, but it is not appropriate for a shared Windows/macOS external drive in a typical A+ support environment.