Can I install PostgreSQL on a FAT partition?

PostgreSQL's number one priority is the integrity of your data. FAT
and FAT32 file systems simply do not offer the reliability required to
allow this. In addition, the lack of security features offered by FAT
make it impossible to secure the raw data files from unauthorized
modification. Finally, PostgreSQL utilizes a feature called 'reparse
points' to implement table spaces. This feature is not available on FAT
partitions.

The NTFS file system is a journal led file system offering much better
reliability and crash recovery. In addition, it has a comprehensive
access control system and offers the reparse point functionality used
by PostgreSQL.

For this reason, the PostgreSQL installer package will not initialize
a database cluster on anything but an NTFS partition. The server and
utilities may be installed on any partition type.

It is recognized however, that on some systems such as developer's
PCs, FAT partitions may be the only choice. In such cases, you can
simply install PostgreSQL as normal, but without initializing the
database cluster. When the installation has finished, manually run the
'initdb.exe' program on the FAT partition. Security and reliability
will be compromised however, and any attempts to create table spaces
will fail.