Best File Format for USB Thumb or Flash Drives: How to Share Digitized Videos Between Mac and PC

When you’re preserving family memories—especially precious home movies—it's important to think not only about digitizing but also about how you'll store and share those digital files. One common question we get from clients is:

“What’s the best format for a thumb drive that works on both Mac and Windows computers?”

If you're sharing digitized 8mm film reels, VHS tapes, or any home video footage, you’ll want a format that’s compatible, reliable, and allows large file sizes. Here's what you need to know.

✅ Use exFAT for Cross-Platform Compatibility

exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table) is the best format for USB flash drives when you need to move large video files between a Windows PC and a Mac.

Why exFAT?

• Works on both macOS and Windows — no additional drivers or software required.

• No 4GB file size limit, unlike the older FAT32 format.

• Faster and more efficient than FAT32, especially for large files like digitized videos.

Learn More:

• Apple Support: File System Formats Explained

• Microsoft: File System Formats and When to Use exFAT

🧠 Why We Format Drives to exFAT at Preserving Memories, LLC

When we digitize your family’s home movies or photo archives, we always format USB drives to exFAT—because we never know what kind of computer system you or your loved ones may be using now… or may upgrade to in the future.

By choosing exFAT, we ensure your memories are accessible, shareable, and future-proof—whether you're on a PC, Mac, or something else down the road.

🛑 Avoid NTFS (Unless You're Only Using Windows)

NTFS (New Technology File System) is Windows’ default file format. While it's great for PCs, it's read-only on Macs—meaning you can view files on macOS but can’t copy or save anything back to the drive unless you install third-party software.

That makes NTFS a poor choice for sharing or transferring files between platforms.

⚠️ FAT32: Universal, But Limited

FAT32 is compatible with almost every system (Mac, PC, even some TVs and game consoles), but it has a big drawback:

• File size limit: 4GB max If you're transferring digitized videos, especially high-quality versions of long reels or tapes, this can be a major issue. (We never use FAT32 and many thumb drives come set at that format)

🔮 Future-Proofing: How File Formats May Be Impacted by Technology Changes

Technology evolves quickly. Here’s what you should keep in mind:

• New operating systems may phase out support for older file systems like FAT32.

• Cloud-based storage and streaming options like Projector are becoming more common, reducing dependence on physical drives—but physical backups are still vital.

• exFAT is currently supported by most modern devices, but it’s wise to periodically migrate your files to newer formats or platforms as technology changes.

• USB ports themselves may change—from USB-A to USB-C to even more advanced connectors—so always keep multiple copies, including one stored on a cloud platform or an external hard drive. (3-2-1 Backup System)

Pro Tip:

We recommend clients keep at least three copies of their digitized videos—two on separate physical devices and one in the cloud (like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud). This protects against data loss due to hardware changes or failure.

🛠️ How to Format a USB Drive to exFAT

On Windows:

1. Plug in your USB drive.

2. Right-click the drive in File Explorer and select Format.

3. Choose exFAT from the "File System" dropdown.

4. Click Start.

On Mac:

1. Open Disk Utility.

2. Select the drive and click Erase.

3. Choose exFAT as the format and click Erase again.

⚠️ Warning: Formatting erases all data on the drive, so back up your files first.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to preserving and sharing digitized home movies, choosing the right file format ensures your memories stay accessible for everyone—on any device, now and in the future. exFAT is the most versatile and future-friendly format for USB drives, especially when your files need to move between Mac and Windows computers.

At Preserving Memories, LLC, we make it easy. Every time we digitize videos or photos, we format your USB drive to exFAT, giving you peace of mind that your files will work—today and tomorrow.👉 Contact us today to get started!