I started using Ubuntu with 8.04, so I haven't been using any Linux
disto for long. What amazes me is peoples desire to compromize Linux
using windows failed attempts. Fat goes back to Dos days. It has
fragmentation problems, can be compromized by windows lack of security.
The Linux community of developers work at giving the best they can
find to our computers.

I use a flash drive that both windows and Linux can see and write to.
You can save anything you want to it using "save as" and selecting that
flash drive. Much of what is saved in the home directory can't be used
by windows anyhow and can only be compromized by windows lack of
security. You can drag your files to the flash after the fact to make
them usable by doze in effect making a copy of your file backing it up.

I find Linux much easer, faster, and safer than anything MS has to offer
us. Any compromising you do, may leave your computer at risk. Any
failure anyone has due to such practice, is not a reflection on the
Linux developers, but rather a reflection on anybody that won't take the
time to learn how to use a better OS. Let Mint give you a fresh breath,
rather than bringing MS stink with you.