220-1102 Question 18
Single answerExtensible File Allocation Table (exFAT)A technician is preparing a 256 GB USB flash drive for a media team that uses both Windows 11 laptops and macOS systems. The drive will store individual video files larger than 20 GB, and the team does not need file permissions or encryption on the drive itself. Which file system should the technician choose to best meet these requirements?
- A
FAT32
- B
NTFS
- C
exFAT
- D
ext4
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The best answer is exFAT because it is intended for removable storage and solves the two key business requirements in the scenario: support for very large files and practical interoperability between Windows and macOS. FAT32 fails due to its 4 GB maximum file size, which rules it out immediately for 20 GB video files. NTFS supports large files, but it is better suited to Windows environments and internal drives where permissions, compression, or other Windows-specific features matter. exFAT is commonly recommended for USB flash drives and SDXC media when cross-platform compatibility and large-file support are needed. This aligns with standard operating system documentation and common support best practices for removable media formatting.
- A. Incorrect.
FAT32 is incorrect because, although it is widely compatible, it has a maximum file size limit of 4 GB. That makes it unsuitable for storing individual video files larger than 20 GB. This is a common mistake because many technicians associate FAT32 with USB drive compatibility, but its file-size limitation is a major practical restriction.
- B. Incorrect.
NTFS is incorrect because it supports large files and is the default file system for modern Windows systems, but it is not the best choice for cross-platform removable media in this scenario. While macOS can typically read NTFS volumes, native write support is limited without additional software, which creates usability issues for a team that needs to exchange files between Windows and macOS systems.
- C. Correct.
exFAT is correct because it is designed for flash storage and removable media, supports files larger than 4 GB, and provides broad compatibility across modern Windows and macOS systems. In this scenario, those features directly address the need for large video files and cross-platform access without requiring the advanced permissions features of NTFS.
- D. Incorrect.
ext4 is incorrect because it is a common Linux file system, but it is not natively supported for normal use by Windows or macOS in the way required here. A technician choosing ext4 for a shared removable drive between Windows and macOS would create avoidable compatibility problems.