exFAT
also: Extended FAT, exFAT32
exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table) is a modern, lightweight file system designed for removable storage devices like USB drives and SD cards, offering compatibility across Linux, Windows, and macOS.
exFAT is a file system that extends the capabilities of the older FAT32 standard while remaining simpler than NTFS. It supports individual files larger than 4 GB, which FAT32 cannot, and handles high-capacity storage devices efficiently without the overhead of more complex file systems.
Linux support for exFAT was historically limited, but modern kernels (5.4+) include native exFAT drivers, allowing direct mounting and use without third-party tools. Before this, users relied on external libraries like exfat-utils or FUSE-based implementations.
Example: sudo mount -t exfat /dev/sdb1 /mnt/usb mounts an exFAT-formatted USB drive. This is particularly useful for sharing large files between Linux, Windows, and Mac systems, since all three now recognize exFAT natively.