Directory Structure

exFAT uses tree structure to describe relationship between files and directories. The root of the directory tree is defined by directory located at RootDirectoryCluster. Subdirectories are single-linked to there parents. There is no special (.) and (..) directories pointing to itself and to parent like in FAT16/FAT32.

Each directory consists of a series of directory entries. Directory entries are classified as critical/benign and primary/secondary as follows:

• Primary Directory Entries
• Critical Primary Entries
• Benign Primary Entries
• Secondary Directory Entries
• Critical Primary Entries
• Benign Primary Entries

Critical entries are required while benign entries are optional. Primary directory entries correspond to the entries in file system and describe main characteristics. Secondary directory entries extend the metadata associated with a primary directory entry end follow it.

A group of primary/secondary entries make up a directory entry set describing a file or directory. The first directory entry in the set is a primary directory entry. All subsequent entries, if any, must be secondary directory entries.

Each directory entry derives from Generica Directory Entry template.Size of directory entry is 32 bytes.

* EntryType values

EntryType can have the following values:

• 0x00 — End Of Directory marker. All other fields in directory entry are invalid. All subsequent directory entries are also End Of Directory markers
• 0x01-0x7F (InUse = 0). All other fields in this entry are not defined
• 0x81-0xFF (InUse = 1). Regular record with all fields defined.

Generic Primary Directory Entry Template

General Flags

All critical primary directory entries are located in root directory (except file directory entries). Benign primary directory enries are optional. If one benign primary entry is not recognized, all directory entry set is ignored.

Generic Secondary Directory Entry Template

Defined Directory Entries