Best file system for external hd ?

Having many problems with NTFS on external usb HD (1 TB) i'm thinking to
use another file system i think the options are

exFAT or REFS

typical use scenario:

Use the usb HD on one pc (docs and work files) disconnect,
use the same hd in a different PC (docs and work files) and so on ...


i read that REFS support is going to be dropped from win 10 pro so my only option semms to be
exFAT, is it goot enough for an eternal HD, other suggestions?

Thanks.

If you are using Windows then I would definitely stick with NTFS. I have 6 different external hard drives ranging in size from 1 terabyte to 6 terabytes and they are all formatted NTFS. This is the recommended file system for ease of use and compatibility.

What brand of hard drive do you use? I use strictly Seagate and Western Digital, mostly spinning but some SSD. Stick with NTFS for plug and play compatibility.

Rocky said:

If you are using Windows then I would definitely stick with NTFS. I have 6 different external hard drives ranging in size from 1 terabyte to 6 terabytes and they are all formatted NTFS. This is the recommended file system for ease of use and compatibility.

What brand of hard drive do you use? I use strictly Seagate and Western Digital, mostly spinning but some SSD. Stick with NTFS for plug and play compatibility.

Thanks Rocky unfortunately i'm having too many issues with NTFS (permissions problems, vanishing files, "the disk contains error" messages" and when i check for errors no errors are found ...)
so i was thinking a File system without permission like i think exFAT is, is it not reliable to work on
in your experience?

roy111 said:

Thanks Rocky unfortunately i'm having too many issues with NTFS (permissions problems, vanishing files, "the disk contains error" messages" and when i check for errors no errors are found ...)
so i was thinking a File system without permission like i think exFAT is, is it not reliable to work on
in your experience?

In my experience, exFAT is not even an option. FAT32 would be a viable option but I would stick with NTFS just for the universal compatibility alone. What brand and type of hard drive do you have?

Having problems with NTFS on Windows is like having a flat tire on your car.
You don't junk the car and buy a new car. Instead, you fix the flat tire.

Here you need to find and fix the problem with the drive (the flat tire), and not with NTFS (the car).
That's why Rocky asks "What brand and type of hard drive to you have?"

I would add: Under what circumstances are you experiencing these problems?
- Permission problems
- Vanishing files
- Reported disk errors
You might have a cable problem. Or a USB drive enclosure problem. (Or perhaps a drive problem.)

I agree, either a drive issue or a problem with the USB interface in the drive enclosure or a plug and socket issue, I fixed many "Faulty" USB drives over the years for people and mostly there is nothing wrong with the drive, it's usually the USB side that's faulty, often the sockets just got worn out from constant plugging and unplugging, as in the solder joints have failed.

Thanks all for your advices

I have the problems:

- Permission problems
- Vanishing files
- Reported disk errors

with two usb 2.5 drives (1 tb each) connected via USB cable(s) indeed

1 WD elements
1 TOSHIBA

i use the disks as a convenient way to work on files without having to move
the laptop with external monitor, in my experience those are not cable issues
(i've had cable issue and the symptoms are different i.e. very slow transfer rate
and frequent disconnection/connection) there is a problem with
fast startup (i disabled it) : Fast Boot has the devil inside - Windows 10 Forums
but issues still are present ...

the cable is firmly attached and transfer speed it 80 MB/sec

is there some test to verify cable issue?

So should i buy a new drive maybe?

14 Free Hard Drive Testing Tools (October 2017)