What Is the Best NTFS Allocation Unit Size and How to Set It?

You must read this article to know the answers to the questions above. So, let's dive right in!

What Does NTFS Allocation Unit Size Mean?

Your allocation unit size will equal the size of an empty file. If you have several small files but a large allocation size, every file on your drive must be at least this massive, which could eat up a significant amount of your hard drive space. To illustrate with an extreme example, if you have a 1MB NTFS allocation size and 10 8KB files, each will take up 1MB. The total drive space used would be 10MB, not 80KB. Hence, it's evident that this can result in substantial wasted space!

通常，4KB是当今最常见的NTFS分配单元大小。当你保持分配单元大小较小时，需要的分配时间会更长，从而导致电脑运行变慢。然而，如果分配单元过大，它将占用最大的磁盘空间。

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What is the Best NTFS Allocation Unit Size?

Keep in mind that if you fit Microsoft's definition of a "Standard User," you should stick with the default 4096 bytes. However, the default setting might vary depending on your usage in different partitions.

NTFS Allocation Unit Size for Movies:

You might select the 2MB maximum allocation unit size, but keep in mind that this will result in smaller files (like subtitle files) using up very little of that space.

NTFS Allocation Unit Size for Images:

On the other hand, if you have a significant number of images and music files, which tend to be smaller than videos, you may want to keep your allocation unit size below the size of your audio and video files.

For more information on allocation unit size, like the optimal SSD cluster size, please refer to the following article:

What's The Optimal SSD Allocation Unit Size in Windows 11/10

On this page, we will discuss the optimal SSD allocation unit size for Windows 11/10. You can also find the best approach to adjust it.

How to Set NTFS Allocation Unit Size

When setting the NTFS allocation unit size, it is essential to analyze the specific partition or drive and determine the optimal size for it. If you're unsure, it's recommended to keep the default setting. However, there are two methods to modify and reset the NTFS allocation unit size: 1. Using Command Prompt: - Open Command Prompt with administrative privileges. - Type "diskpart" and press Enter. - Input "list disk" to identify your target disk. - Select the disk by typing "select disk X" (replace X with the disk number). - Type "list partition" to view partitions on the selected disk. - Choose the partition by entering "select partition Y" (replace Y with the partition number). - Now, to resize the allocation unit, type "resizefs allocunit size=[size in bytes]" (for example, "resizefs allocunit size=4096" for 4KB allocation units). - Confirm the action with "yes" when prompted. 2. Using Third-Party Tools: - Download and install a reliable disk management tool, such as MiniTool Partition Wizard or tools Partition Master. - Launch the software and select the partition you want to adjust. - Look for an option to change the allocation unit size, usually found under advanced settings or partition format options. - Specify the desired allocation unit size and follow the on-screen instructions to apply the changes. Remember that altering the allocation unit size can impact performance and storage efficiency, so make sure to research and understand the implications before making any changes.

Method 1: Changing NTFS Allocation Unit Size with Tools - Partition Master

Did you know that with the assistance of a professional partition manager, you can alter the NTFS allocation unit size? The top-notch software for this purpose is tools Partition Master Free, an all-inclusive free tool designed for every user.

Method 2: Change NTFS Allocation Unit Size with CMD

You can utilize the CMD command prompt to modify the NTFS allocation unit size for videos and games. To change the NTFS allocation unit size using diskpart commands in CMD, follow these steps:

Step 1: To initiate the run, press Windows key + R.

Step 2: To open the Command Prompt with administrator privileges, type "CMD" and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.

Step 3: Press "Enter" to launch Diskpart.exe after typing in diskpart.

Step 4: Type the following command and press Enter continuously:

1. list disk
2. select disk * (indicate the target disk's number with an asterisk *)
3. list partition
4. select partition * (indicate the target partition's number with an asterisk *)
5. format fs=ntfs unit=64k

Conclusion

Upon scanning through this article, you should now grasp the concept of NTFS allocation unit size and how to configure it using two approaches. Furthermore, you can effortlessly accomplish this task either with third-party software or an integrated Windows utility.

As for Partition Master, it can not only resize partition without data loss, but also repartition hard drive and convert FAT32 to NTFS and NTFS to FAT32 without formatting or losing data, as well as perform other disk partitioning-related tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions About NTFS Allocation Unit Size

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about NTFS Allocation Unit Size are as follows to enhance your understanding of the topic. If you have additional concerns, please proceed to read on.

< strong > 1. Does allocation unit size affect speed?

Indeed, if the allocation unit size is too small, it might decrease the performance of your PC. This is because it can lead to more time being taken for allocation processes when each file is assigned more units. Conversely, if you set the allocation unit size too large, it will consume a significant amount of valuable disk space unnecessarily. It's essential to strike a balance for optimal efficiency.

2. What allocation unit size should I use for the NTFS flash drive? When formatting an NTFS flash drive, the allocation unit size, also known as the cluster size, is an important consideration. The allocation unit is the smallest amount of storage space that can be allocated to a file. Here's a general guideline: 1. **Default Size**: Most formatting tools offer a default allocation unit size, which is usually 4KB (4096 bytes). This is a safe choice and suitable for most users. 2. **Smaller Files**: If you expect to store many small files (such as documents, images, or music), a smaller allocation unit size like 512 bytes or 1KB might improve performance slightly, as it reduces internal fragmentation. However, keep in mind that using a smaller size might also slow down overall performance due to increased disk overhead. 3. **Larger Files**: For larger files (videos, archives), a larger allocation unit size (such as 8KB, 16KB, or 32KB) is more efficient, as it reduces the number of clusters needed to store a single large file. 4. **Capacity**: Generally, larger drives can afford to use bigger allocation units without significant performance impact. For smaller flash drives (less than 16GB), stick with the default or a smaller size. 5. **Optimization**: In most cases, the default allocation unit size is already optimized for the drive's capacity and typical usage scenarios. Unless you have specific requirements or performance concerns, there's no need to change it. Remember that choosing a different allocation unit size will affect the overall efficiency and performance of your flash drive. It's recommended to research and understand the potential implications before making a decision.

If your flash drive is larger than 16GB, the most suitable allocation unit size would be 16KB. However, the default cluster size for NTFS drives varies as follows: 4KB for drives ranging from 7MB to 512MB, 512MB to 1GB, 1GB to 2GB, and 2GB up to 2TB.

3. What will happen if the allocation unit size is large? If the allocation unit size is large, it can have several implications: 1. **Disk Space Usage:** A larger allocation unit size means that files, even small ones, will occupy more disk space than necessary. Each file will be allocated space equivalent to the size of the allocation unit, regardless of its actual content. This can lead to inefficient use of disk space, especially for systems with many small files. 2. **Performance:** Writing or reading large files may be faster because fewer allocation units need to be accessed. However, for numerous small file operations, performance might be slower due to the overhead of managing larger allocation units. 3. **Fragmentation:** With larger allocation units, there's a higher chance of file fragmentation. When a file doesn't fit perfectly within an allocation unit, the remaining space in that unit cannot be used, and the file continues into the next available unit. This can cause disk fragmentation, which may degrade overall system performance over time. 4. **Backup and Restore Times:** Backing up data with larger allocation units can take longer, as more data needs to be processed. Similarly, restoring from backups might also be slower due to the increased size of the data blocks being restored. 5. **Optimization for Specific Workloads:** Depending on the type of workload your system handles (e.g., mostly large files vs. many small files), a larger allocation unit size might not be optimal. It's crucial to choose an appropriate allocation unit size based on the expected usage patterns. In summary, a large allocation unit size can lead to inefficient disk space utilization, potentially slower performance for small file operations, increased fragmentation, and longer backup and restore times. It's important to strike a balance between these factors when configuring the allocation unit size for a specific storage system.

When dealing with various small files, it's highly advisable to maintain a minimum allocation size to ensure that your hard drive space remains well-organized and manageable. Conversely, if you have numerous larger files, keeping the allocation size higher can enhance the system's performance since it will require fewer blocks to access. However, if the allocation size is excessively large, it can consume a significant portion of your PC's disk space, potentially leading to inefficiencies.