Can Windows 10/11 read FAT32? [WE ANSWER]

by Milan Stanojevic
Milan Stanojevic
Milan Stanojevic
Windows & Software Expert
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Can Windows 10 read FAT32

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FAT32 is a computer file system architecture used by storage devices. This standard appeared first on Windows 98, and it’s still used today. Since this system architecture is so popular, today we’re going to answer FAT32-related questions such as whether Windows 10 can read FAT32 drives.

Can Windows 10 read FAT32? Read on to find out!

Can Windows 10 read FAT32?

read fat 32 windows 10 Can Windows 10 read FAT32

Yes, FAT32 is still supported in Windows 10, and if you have a flash drive that is formatted as a FAT32 device, it will work without any problems, and you’ll be able to read it without any extra hassle on Windows 10.

Can FAT32 be bootable?

fat32 bootable Can Windows 10 read FAT32

FAT32 can be bootable, and in fact, the UEFI system can’t boot from NTFS devices, only FAT32. This means that if you want to install a new version of Windows, you’ll need to format your flash drive as a FAT32 in order to boot from it.

Which is better FAT32 or exFAT?

fat32 vs exfat Can Windows 10 read FAT32

Here’s a quick comparison between FAT32 and exFAT.


  • One of the oldest file systems still in use.
  • File size limit is set to 4GB.
  • Max size for FAT32 partitions is set to 8TB.
  • Fully compatible with other operating systems, including Linux and Mac. It also works perfectly with other hardware supports reading USB flash drives.


  • Introduced in 2006.
  • Maximum volume size is 128PB.
  • The maximum file size is 16EB.
  • Can hold files that are larger than 4GB in size.
  • Compatible with Windows and macOS X, but it might require additional software in order to run on Linux.

Overall, exFAT doesn’t have limitations that FAT32 has, most notably the file size limit, so it’s almost always a better choice. If you’re looking for better cross-system and hardware compatibility, FAT32 might be a better choice.

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Is NTFS faster than FAT32?

ntfs vs fat32 Can Windows 10 read FAT32

According to users, there’s no speed difference between NTFS and FAT32. However, some benchmark results claim that NTFS is a bit faster than FAT32. As the end-user, you probably won’t notice much of a speed difference between the two.

How do I know if my USB is formatted to FAT32?

To do this, just follow these steps:

  1. Open This PC.
  2. Right-click the desired drive and choose Properties.
  3. Now in the General tab look for File system value to see your current file system.
    file system Can Windows 10 read FAT32

Can you install Windows on FAT32?

install windows on fat32 Can Windows 10 read FAT32

No, FAT32 is an older file system, and you can’t install an operating system on it. Since Windows Vista, you can only install an operating system to NTFS drives. If you’re using FAT32, you’ll need to format it to NTFS to install an operating system.

There you go, these are some of the most common questions regarding the FAT32, so we hope that you found this article helpful.


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