How to Determine File System of Drive in Windows 10


A file system enables applications to store and retrieve files on storage devices.

Windows 10 supports formatting a drive using the FAT, FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, or ReFS file system.

Feature FAT FAT32 exFAT NTFS ReFS
Maximum volume size 4 GB 32 GB 128 PB 256 TB 4.7 ZB (zettabytes)
Maximum file size 4 GB 4 GB 16 EB (exabytes) 18 EB (exabytes) 18 EB (exabytes)
Maximum filename length 8.3 characters 255 characters 255 characters 255 characters 255 characters
Maximum cluster size 64 KB 32 KB 32 MB 2048 KB 64 KB
File compression No No No Yes No
File encryption No No No Yes No
Permissions No No No Yes Yes

This tutorial will show you how to determine the file system of a drive in Windows 10.


Contents







OPTION ONE

Determine File System of Drive in This PC


1 Open This PC in File Explorer (Win+E).

2 Right click or press and hold on the drive you want to know its file system, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)

Determine File System of Drive in Windows 10-drive_file_system_this-pc-1.jpg

3 You will now see the file system of the drive. (see screenshots below)

Determine File System of Drive in Windows 10-drive_file_system_this-pc-3.png Determine File System of Drive in Windows 10-drive_file_system_this-pc-2.png Determine File System of Drive in Windows 10-drive_file_system_this-pc-4.png






OPTION TWO

Determine File System of Drives in Disk Management


1 Right click on the Start button to open the Win+X menu, and click/tap on Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc).

2 You will now see the file system listed for each connected drive on the PC at the top. (see screenshot below)

Determine File System of Drive in Windows 10-drive_file_system_disk_management.jpg






OPTION THREE

Determine File System of Drives in Command Prompt


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.


1 Open an elevated command prompt.

2 Type the commands below one at a time into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter after each command. (see screenshot below)

diskpart

list volume

3 You will now see the file system listed for each connected drive on the PC.

Determine File System of Drive in Windows 10-drive_file_system_diskpart_command.png






OPTION FOUR

Determine File System of Drives in PowerShell


1 Open PowerShell.

2 Type the get-volume command into PowerShell, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

3 You will now see the file system listed for each connected drive on the PC.

Determine File System of Drive in Windows 10-drive_file_system_diskpart_powershell.jpg






OPTION FIVE

Determine File System of Drives in Settings


This option is only available starting with Windows 10 build 20197.


1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the System icon.

2 Click/tap on Storage on the left side, and click/tap on the Manage Disks and Volumes link on the right side. (see screenshot below)

Determine File System of Drive in Windows 10-settings_manage_disks_and_volumes-1.jpg

3 You will now see the file system listed under each connected drive on the PC.

Determine File System of Drive in Windows 10-settings_manage_disks_and_volumes-2.png


That's it,
Shawn