How to Check a Drive’s File System in Windows 11 or 10
If you’re like me, you’ve probably hit that moment where you need to find out what file system your drive is using — whether it’s NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, or something else — and the options aren’t immediately obvious. Sure, Windows makes it pretty easy to check, but sometimes the info’s hidden in menus that aren’t exactly intuitive or get buried after updates. I’ve spent ages digging through settings only to realise I needed a different approach. So, here’s what finally worked for me, and hopefully it saves someone else a bit of hassle.
Use Disk Management
This has been my trusty method for a while. It’s reliable and simple once you get the hang of it. Just right-click on the Start button and select Disk Management, or press Win + X and choose it from the menu. When the window opens, you’ll see all your drives and their partitions. The File System column in this view shows whether a drive is NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, or something else. Pretty straightforward, right? I find this method quick and accurate most of the time. The tricky part? If you’ve recently plugged in a new drive, it might take a moment to appear. Also, drives with multiple partitions or if Disk Management is still indexing can look a bit odd. On some laptops, like my older ASUS, I noticed the File System info is buried in another menu, but for most setups, it’s right there in the main window.
One thing to watch out for — if a drive shows as “Unknown” or “Unallocated,” it might be unformatted or in a strange state. Always double-check you’ve got the correct disk selected, especially if you have several drives connected, including external ones. It’s a simple step, but it saved me a lot of confusion during some upgrades.
Check via File Explorer
This is probably the easiest for most people. Head over to This PC, right-click on the drive or partition you want, then choose Properties. The General tab shows the File System right there, beside the volume label. Quick and easy, no extra tools needed, and generally foolproof — unless the drive is hidden or not mounted. I’ve come across situations where external drives don’t show the right info because they’re offline or permissions are blocking access, so keep that in mind.
Sometimes, if the system’s busy or the drive has issues, the Properties window might hang or take an extra second to load. Not a big deal, but a tad frustrating if you’re in a rush. Still, for most drives, it’s a fast way to get the info you need.
Check in Windows Settings
If you prefer poking around in the newer Settings app, there’s a way to see drive info there too. Open Settings (Win + I), then go to System > Storage. Scroll down and click on Advanced storage settings, then select Disks & volumes. This area shows some detailed info about each drive, including the file system. Admittedly, it can be a bit confusing at first — sometimes the info is tucked away under nested menus — but once you’ve got the hang of it, it’s worth checking out. Just be patient; the data isn’t always immediately visible after updates.
Use System Information
If you’re after a more detailed, technical rundown, try opening System Information. Hit Win + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. This opens a window full of details about your PC. Navigate to Components > Storage > Drives. Here, you’ll see a list of all detected drives along with their properties, including the file system type.
This method provides a lot of info, which is handy if you’re troubleshooting or just curious about what Windows thinks each drive is. On my system, drive info can be spread across multiple entries — especially with external or network drives — so it can look a bit cluttered. But it’s a good fallback if the other methods don’t give a clear answer.
Command Line: DiskPart
If you’re comfortable with Command Prompt, this is a powerful way to get the info. Open an elevated Command Prompt (search for cmd, right-click, then select Run as administrator). Alternatively, open Windows Terminal as admin. Type diskpart and press Enter. Then, run list volume. This will show all your drive volumes, and you can look at the fs column for the file system info — whether it’s NTFS, FAT32, or exFAT.
It’s reliable and handy for troubleshooting. Just make sure you’re looking at the right volume, especially if you have multiple external drives or network shares. Drive labels can sometimes be misleading or sizes similar, so double-check. Be cautious with diskpart commands, though — accidental deletion or formatting can be costly. Only proceed if you’re confident.
PowerShell Way
If scripting is your thing, PowerShell is my go-to. Launch PowerShell as administrator (right-click the start button and pick Run as administrator), then run Get-Volume. It lists all drives, including drive letters, labels, sizes, and importantly, the FileSystem info. To keep the output neat, you can run Get-Volume | Select-Object DriveLetter, FileSystem. A handy shortcut for quick checks or automating repetitive tasks.
Sometimes the info can be a bit overwhelming if you’ve got several drives attached, but it’s very reliable and can be scripted easily. I mainly use this for quick scans or when I’m troubleshooting scripts.
Final Tips & Tips to Keep in Mind
At the end of the day, Windows provides multiple ways to see what file system a drive is using. Sometimes, one method will be quicker or clearer depending on your setup. I’ve often had to switch between methods when a drive isn’t cooperating — permissions, encryption, or odd drive states can block some tools. Always remember to run as admin if needed, and double-check which disk or partition you’re inspecting. Things can get confusing if you’ve got a lot of drives connected.
Honestly, I wish I’d known these tricks earlier — it took me ages to figure them out in the middle of the night! Hopefully, this guide helps others skip the hassle. The key is patience: double-check labels, sizes, and don’t be afraid to try a few different methods if the info isn’t clear straight away.
Good luck, and I hope this saves someone a weekend of frustration!