What are the size limits of FAT32 partitions, and how can they be overcome?

Updated By

Tracy King 

Written By

Linda 

Last Updated on April 19, 2024

Overview - What are the size limitations of a FAT32 partition?

File Allocation Table 32 (FAT32) is one of the oldest file systems for Windows. It is a disk filing system that employs a 32-bit binary number to manage files on a disk. FAT32 evolved from FAT and FAT16.

Its advantages include high stability and strong compatibility, with full compatibility with Win9X and earlier versions, making it easier to maintain. The disadvantage is that it offers poor security. The FAT32 format only supports partitions up to 32GB in size and individual files up to 4GB.

4 GB file size limit: If you try to transfer a file larger than 4 GB to a FAT32 drive, the transfer will fail with an error that says "The file is too large for the destination file system."

Largest partition size is 2 TB: If you have a 3 TB hard drive, you won't be able to format it as a single FAT32 partition.

How to Get Around the FAT32 Size Limit (2 Methods)

You've learned about the limits of FAT32. So how do you overcome these limitations? The answer lies in another file system, called NTFS.

NTFS is a disk format supported by the Windows NT kernel-based operating systems, designed specifically for networking, disk quotas, file encryption, and other advanced management features for security. It surpasses FAT32 in many ways: it's more secure, robust, and supports larger file sizes and drives.

Thus, you can convert FAT32 to NTFS to remove the limitations. Usually, there are three methods to do the conversion. Among them, only two can convert FAT32 to NTFS without losing data.

Method 2: Format USB Drive to exFAT

NTFS is ideal for internal drives. To convert to NTFS, you need a reliable FAT32 converter. I recommend using the tools Partition Master Free tool. This free and powerful utility can convert FAT32 to NTFS without losing any data.

Here's how to convert FAT32 to NTFS without losing data:

Step 1: Install and run Partition Master on your computer.

Step 2. In Partition Manager, right-click on a FAT32 partition and select "Advanced" then choose "Convert to NTFS".

Step 3: Click "Proceed" in the dialog box that appears.

Click “Apply” to start the conversion process. Wait for it to finish.

Method 2: Bypassing the FAT32 Size Limit with Command Prompt

If you don't want to download any third-party software, you can run the Command Prompt and use its conversion command to change a FAT partition to NTFS. Here's how:

Step 1: Press the Windows logo key + R to open the “Run” dialog box.

Step 2. Type cmd to open the Command Prompt window.

Step 3: Type help convert, and then press "Enter."

Step 4: At the command prompt, type convert (drive letter): /fs:ntfs.

When the conversion is done, type exit.

Additional Tip: How to Format a FAT32 Partition Larger than 32 GB

Though FAT32 supports up to 2 TB, users find it impossible to format a 32GB+ partition to FAT32 with the built-in tool in Windows 10/8/7. Free partition software also comes to solve this problem. It can format a 2 TB hard drive to FAT32 at most. Follow the steps to format a partition larger than 32GB to FAT32.

Step 1: Right-click on the hard drive partition and select the "Format" option.

Step 2. In the new window, assign a label to the partition, choose a file system, and a cluster size, then click OK.

<Step 3> A warning dialog box will appear. Click "Yes" to continue.

Step 4: Click on the “Perform 1 Task” button and then click “Apply” to start formatting the hard drive partition.

Conclusion

You have just learned two methods to get around the FAT32 limit without losing any data. Method 1 is the recommended way, with simple steps to bypass the restriction. If you are familiar with CMD commands, you may refer to Method 2.