exFAT
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Computer
| Stands for | Extended File Allocation Table |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
exFAT stands for Extended File Allocation Table, a computer abbreviation.
Microsoft file system designed for flash storage that removes FAT32's 4 GB file-size limit while staying simple and cross-platform. It is the mandated format for SDXC cards and the usual choice for external drives shared between Windows and Mac.
Example: Format the external SSD as exFAT so both the Mac and the Windows laptop can write to it.
Usage notes
Microsoft introduced exFAT in 2006 and kept it proprietary until 2019, when it published the specification; Linux gained a native driver in kernel 5.4 that year. Like FAT32 it has no journaling, so pulling a drive without ejecting risks corruption. It is written with a lowercase "ex".
Related abbreviations
More computer abbreviations
- Del – Delete key
- DISM – Deployment Image Servicing and Management
- DOS – Disk operating system
- DP – Data processing
- EBCDIC – Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code
- Esc – Escape key
- ext4 – Fourth extended file system
- FAT – File Allocation Table
- FAT32 – File Allocation Table, 32-bit
- Fn – Function key (modifier)
- GIGO – Garbage in, garbage out
- GPO – Group Policy Object