Fat32 Formatter is a format tool to help you get your USB drives larger than 32GB formatted as Fat32. Some operating systems and disk utilities impose limitations preventing you from formatting partitions larger than 32GB with a Fat32 file system. In Windows, for example, the built in format utility only allows partitions up to 32 GB to be formatted as Fat 32. However, third party tools such as this can still be used to force format those large drives or format an sd card as Fat32Format.
Fat32 Format Tool for Large USB Drives
About the Fat32 File System
FAT32, short for File Allocation Table 32, is a file system format used for organizing and managing files on storage devices such as hard drives, USB flash drives, and memory cards. It was introduced by Microsoft in 1996 as an extension to its predecessor, FAT16.
A list of features include:
- Large Volume Support: FAT32 supports much larger volumes compared to FAT16, allowing for partition sizes up to 2 terabytes (TB) and file sizes up to 4 gigabytes (GB) minus 1 byte.
- Compatibility: It is widely supported across various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and many other platforms. This broad compatibility makes it a popular choice for removable storage devices.
- File and Directory Structure: Uses a hierarchical file system structure with directories (folders) and files organized in a tree-like format.
- File Allocation Table: The File Allocation Table is a key component of FAT32. It keeps track of the clusters (allocation units) on the storage device and records which clusters are allocated to which files.
- Performance: It is worth mentioning that this filesystem is generally less efficient than newer file systems like NTFS (New Technology File System) or exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table) in terms of performance and storage utilization, especially for large volumes and files.
Why FAT32 is a Solid Choice for External Drives
FAT32 is particularly advantageous for external drives due to its portability. Its wide acceptance across major operating systems and devices means you can easily access data from different platforms without any compatibility issues. However, it's important to note the 4GB file size limitation; if you need to store larger files, NTFS or exFAT might be better options.
A common misconception is that FAT32 can only format drives between 2 GB and 32 GB. This myth likely stems from specifications and native tool limitations on systems like Windows. In reality, FAT32 boasts a theoretical volume size limit of 16 TB, with a current practical limit of about 8 TB, which is more than sufficient for most USB drives.
In summary, FAT32 offers a reliable and versatile solution for those needing a file system that balances ease of use with broad compatibility, making it an excellent choice for external drives when large file support isn't a crucial requirement.
How to Format USB to FAT32?
To format a USB to Fat32, you can use the following Fat32format tool. In my opinion this is the best free fat32 formatter for Windows. It automates the entire process, allowing you to quickly reformat Micro SD cards and USB drives larger than 32GB with a Fat32 file system. You can force a Fat 32 format on drives of any size up to 2TB, automatically adjusting the partition to fit the space. Yes, even when the volume is larger than the 32GB limit imposed by operating systems like Windows.
By default, Microsoft Windows will not let you format a volume bigger than 32 GB with a Fat32 filesystem (hence where the denomination for 32 came from). Which is exactly where this handy tool comes in! This portable and free formatting utility easily works around this limitation. You can use its intuitive GUI to quickly format your USB flash drives, sd cards, or even large internal or external hard drives. Making it easy to format drives with Fat32 regardless of their capacity.
Note: A key benefit to using FAT32 over other filesystems is BIOS USB bootability. This makes FAT32 especially useful when you need to create a bootable drive for system repair or installation purposes. However, one important limitation to note when compared to modern exFAT or NTFS formats is that files larger than 4GB cannot be stored on a FAT32 filesystem.
Despite this limitation, FAT32 offers significant advantages in terms of portability and compatibility:
- Universal Compatibility: FAT32 is supported by every major operating system and most devices. This makes it an excellent choice for external drives that need to be accessed across different systems, ensuring a hassle-free experience when transferring data between devices.
- Ease of Use: Its simplicity makes it a reliable option for users who prioritize straightforward access and file management over handling large files.
If you need to work around the file size limitation, consider using multiple partitions of differing types. You can create an NTFS or exFAT partition for storing larger files, while maintaining a FAT32 partition for bootability and universal access.
By balancing these features, you can leverage FAT32's strengths without sacrificing the ability to handle larger files when necessary.
Fat32 Format File Size Limitations
It is worth noting that using a Fat32 filesystem on a USB drive isn't always the best approach and that there are some limitations to using Fat32 on drives larger than 32GB. For example, as previously mentioned, the maximum file size is limited to 4GB. If you try to copy files over that exceed 4GB, you will likely encounter an error stating:
File is too large for the destination file system.
The only way to resolve this is to either split the file up using a file splitter or use a different filesystem such as NTFS or exFAT.
The maximum number of files you can store and directories you can create is also limited to 65,536. Each file and subdirectory can take 2 to 13 entries, based on the length of its name. Additionally, some modern operating systems and applications may not work well with Fat32, so it's not always the best choice for every situation.
In general, if you're formatting a large drive and need maximum compatibility and file size support, it's better to use a modern file system such as NTFS or exFAT. However, if you specifically need to use Fat32 for compatibility with legacy systems (for example BIOS booting), third party Fat32 formatter tools like this can be used to automatically format those larger drives for you.
About the Fat32 Format Tool (FAT32Format)
Ridgecrop Consultants Ltd. offers a FAT32 formatting tool, known as "FAT32format," which is specifically designed to format large drives in FAT32. In my opinion, this fat32 formatter is amongst the best free Fat32 format software one can find.
It supports formatting drives all the way up to 2TB in size. So it is at least near future proof for use on most modern flash drives and micro sd cards. This open sourced stand alone utility also utilizes an intuitive GUI making it very easy to use.
- Extracted File Size: 72 KB
- Authors Website: Project Page
- Developer: Created by Tom Thornhill of Ridgecrop Consultants Ltd.
- License: Open Source - Free Software
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP
- Price Currency: USD
- Price: $0 Free
- Application Category: UtilitiesApplication, Drive Format Software
- Editor's Rating: 5 Star
Fat32 formatter; This Fat32 format tool is useful on drives larger than 32GB when Windows will not allow you format a volume bigger than 32GB as Fat 32. Here are some of the pros and cons of the Ridgecrop's FAT32format Tool:
Pros:
- Ability to Format Large Drives: Unlike the Windows built in formatting tool, FAT32format can format drives larger than 32GB with a FAT32 file system.
- Speed: Known for its fast formatting process, which can save time, especially when dealing with large drives.
- Simplicity: The interface is straightforward and very user friendly, requiring limited technical knowledge.
- Portability: The tool is lightweight and portable or stand alone, meaning it doesn’t require installation onto a PC.
- Compatibility: The formatted drives are compatible with a wide range of devices, including older operating systems, gaming consoles, and media players that require FAT32.
Cons:
- Lack of Advanced Features: The tool is quite basic and lacks advanced features found in more comprehensive disk management software, such as partition resizing, error checking, or data recovery options.
- File Size Limitation: Despite being able to format large drives, the FAT32 file system still retains its 4GB maximum file size limitation, which can be restrictive.
- Risk of Data Loss: As with any formatting tool, using FAT32format will erase all data on the drive being formatted. Users need to ensure they have backed up any important data before proceeding.
FAT32format is a handy tool for those who need to format large drives in FAT32, providing a simple and efficient solution. However, users should be aware of the inherent limitations of the FAT32 file system and ensure they have backed up any important data before using the tool.
Download Fat32Format Tool
You can get the GUI version of this stand alone free Fat32 format tool directly from the authors by clicking on the image from the project page. Or, alternately you can grab it here: Fat32Format Download
Alternately, you can download a command line version of Fat32 formatter to use instead. The command line version also enables you to pass variables to the tool using commands or batch scripts. Since the software is open source, it's even possible to integrate the tool into your own projects.
How to Use FAT32 Formatter
Follow this step-by-step guide to use Ridgecrop's FAT32 Formatter utility for formatting large drives (greater than 32GB) to the FAT32 file system.
WARNING: Formatting a drive will erase all data on it. Back up important files before proceeding.
When using the FAT32 Format tool, take these precautions to ensure a smooth process:
- Close Open File Explorer Windows: Before formatting, close all File Explorer windows. Open windows may cause the tool to interpret the drive as in use, leading to errors.
- Troubleshooting Tip: If you encounter this issue, simply close the windows and retry. Relaunching the tool is unnecessary.
By following these steps, you can avoid common pitfalls and ensure a hassle-free formatting process.
- Download the Tool: Get the GUI version of the FAT32 Formatter.
- Run the Tool: Double-click the executable file (
guiformat.exe). - Select the Drive: In the interface, choose the drive to format from the "Drive" dropdown menu.
- Set Allocation Unit Size: Leave it at the default value or adjust based on your needs.
- Create a Volume Label: Optionally, add a name in the "Volume Label" field.
- Start the Format: Click "Start" to initiate the process.
- Confirm Formatting: A warning dialog will appear. Click "OK" to proceed.
- Wait for Completion: Once formatting finishes, a success message will appear.
If you find this tool helpful, consider exploring these related utilities:
- BOOTICE: Format external USB drives and edit boot sectors.
- UUI: Learn how to boot from USB drives and SD cards.
- Fast USB Flash Drives: Discover high-performance drives for your next project.