Cannot transfer files larger than 4GB to FAT32 USB flash drive or SD card because the file is too large for the destination file system? To be able to transfer, copy or move files bigger than 4GB, you must learn the four ways of how to change FAT32 to the other supported files system, which is either exFAT or NTFS, with or without formatting.

Format Thumb Drive Bootable

If you have an old flash drive or one that was formatted to work with Windows or another operating system, you can still format your flash drive to work on a Mac. Volume Format Most manufacturers use the FAT 32 or MS-DOS (FAT) volume format.

1. Use Disk Utility to Format USB Flash Drive on Mac The simplest way to format a disk in Mac OS is to simply use the Disk Utility since it is the Mac’s built in disk maintenance tool. To format USB drive on Mac using this method, all you need to do is plug in the USB device into your Mac and select it from the Disk Utility’s sidebar menu.
2. To format the USB drive to FAT32, follow the next steps: Step 1. Connect the USB flash drive to your Mac computer. Step 2.Go to Applications Utilities Double click and open Disk Utility.
3. FAT/FAT16: Max volume size 4GB, Max file size 2GB. FAT32: Max volume size 2TB, Max file size 4GB. ExFAT: Max volume size 128PB, Max file size 16EB. It mean if your USB flash drive is 8GB or more, it will not support FAT format. So what you need is resize it to 4GB.

How to Transfer Files Larger Than 4GB to FAT32:

1. Method 1. Reformat in File Explorer
2. Method 2. Reformat in Disk Management
3. Method 3. Change File System in Command Prompt
4. Method 4. Convert File System in EaseUS Partition Master

Why Can't Copy, Move or Transfer File Over 4GB to FAT32

'Recently I encountered a strange problem. I plugged my new 32 GB USB flash drive into my computer, trying to transfer some files. Files like MP3s and documents were all transferred quickly except some larger DVD ISO files and video files. I got the error 'The file is too large for the destination file system'. Then the transfer failed. The biggest file is about 5GB and the file system of my USB is FAT32. Does anyone know how to copy large files over 4GB to a USB flash drive?'

To figure out the reason why some large files transfer between the USB drive and computer failed, it's necessary to know the FAT32 file system as well as the FAT32 file size limit in Windows 10/8/7.

• What's FAT32?

File systems are ways of organizing storage on devices such as hard drives, SSDs, USB sticks, microSD cards, and so on. For FAT32, it is one of the most popular file systems ever used on smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, game consoles, surveillance cameras, and so on. Moreover, it's also cross-compatible with almost all operating systems from Windows to macOS and Linux.

Also read: FAT32 vs NTFS

• What's the maximum file size for FAT32?

4GB. Individual files on a FAT32 drive can't be over 4 GB in size—that's the maximum. A FAT32 partition must also be less than 8 TB, which admittedly is less of a limitation unless you're using super-high-capacity drives.

Hence, due to the FAT32 file size limit, it's not possible to manage (copy, move, save or transfer) a 4GB file on any drive formatted with the FAT32 file system. The error message 'The file is too large for the destination file system' also suggests that you're trying to copy a more than 4GB file to a FAT32 storage drive and that's not going to happen.

How to Transfer Files Larger than 4GB to FAT32 with or Without Formatting

You must try to break the FAT32 file size limit to be able to save some extremely large files. The only solution is to change the file system to the other Windows-compatible file systems, usually NTFS. The conversion is easy, and there are four methods in total.

* The way of formatting a disk in Windows Explorer and Windows Disk Management will erase data completely, you must back up all important files in advance. If you are reluctant to make backups, pick the other two methods of using commands and third-party EaseUS partition manager software, which are not about formatting but a simple conversion with no data loss.

Method 1. Reformat FAT32 in Windows File Explorer

Disk formatting allows you to make changes to the file system on a device. So when you want to change the file system from FAT32 to NTFS to be able to transfer a more than 4GB file on a USB flash drive or a memory card, Windows File Explorer in Windows 10/8/7 is a convenient option because it's built-in the operating system and you don't have to download it.

Note: Back up data before formatting FAT32 to NTFS

Step 1. Press Windows + E keys to bring up the Windows Explorer.

Step 2. Right-click on the connected USB drive or SD card and choose Format.

Step 3. From the File system drop-down list, choose NTFS, and click Start.

Method 2. Reformat FAT32 in Windows Disk Management

Windows Disk management is the other default Windows disk formatting program that enables you to format a FAT32 USB drive or SD card to NTFS. You can not only use the Disk Management to solve the problem of being unable to copy files bigger than 4GB to FAT32 but also format a RAW drive to a recognized file system by Windows.

Note: Back up data before formatting FAT32 to NTFS

Step 1. Navigate to This PC/My Computer > Manage > Disk Management.

Step 2. Right-click on the connected USB drive or SD card and choose Format.

Step 3. Choose NTFS as the target file system and click OK.

Method 3. Change FAT32 to NTFS in Windows Command Prompt Without Formatting

Though it's not going to format the drive and cause data loss, the Windows command prompt way of fixing the file too large for USB problem is kind of tricky and not so recommended to computer novices. If you're not familiar with the basic command lines, or perhaps you cannot run the cmd with the administrator privilege, turn to the third-party easy solution.

Step 1. Press Windows + R keys to bring up the Run box, type cmd and hit Enter.

Step 2. On the Windows Command Prompt windows, type the command convert [drive letter]: /fs: [file system] and hit Enter.

For Example: convert G: /fs: ntfs.

Method 4. Convert FAT32 to NTFS in EaseUS Partition Master Without Formatting

Normally, users can use Windows Disk Management or Windows File Explorer to format USB drive or SD card from FAT32 to NTFS, but it will delete all the data on the drive. Nevertheless, the convert X: /fs: ntfs command can protect the data, it's not friendly to average computer users.

To make up for the shortcomings of the former three methods of changing the FAT32 file system to NTFS, which is either erasing data or too risky to run the commands, here comes the almighty free partition software - EaseUS Partition Master. On the one hand, it's able to convert a FAT32 drive to NTFS without formatting. On the other hand, the conversion process is so simple and it's only a matter of a few clicks.

Step 1: Install and launch EaseUS Partition Master on your computer.

Step 2: Select a FAT32 partition, right-click on it and select 'Convert to NTFS'. If you need to convert a storage device such as SD card or USB flash drive to NTFS, insert it into your PC first and repeat the previous operation.

Step 3: Click 'OK' on the pop-up dialog box to continue.

Step 4: Go to the upper left corner, click the 'Execute 1 Operation' button and you will see the operation details. Click 'Apply' and 'Finish' when the process completes.

Dec 16, 2020 • Filed to: USB Recovery • Proven solutions

USB drives are something of daily use for a modern-day person. From listening to music to transferring important files from pc to pc, we use flash drives for a variety of reasons. These flash drives are plugged into several different devices and hence are at risk of corruption or malfunctioning and might require to be formatted at times. The USB flash drive can be formatted in a variety of ways like depending upon the operating system and other features.

Sometimes, certain devices may only read specific USB file systems. So learning how to format your USB to a new file system is something that will come in handy.

Part 1: What is FAT32 Format?

FAT32 is an improved version of the FAT system which was introduced in 1996 by Microsoft with its Window95 OSR2 system. The purpose of its development was to be a better version of the FAT16 in terms of speed, performance, robustness, flexibility, and to support larger volumes.

Part 2: What Should You Do before Formatting a USB Drive?

A USB drive may contain songs, videos, documents, important files, etc. depending on the person who uses it. So most people don’t prefer formatting unless they want to get rid of those files. Formatting can also be done on faulty USB drives in which case, the user should move all the data in it before deletion.

If a device is not being detected or faulty, formatting is the last step. The user should try all the options to make it visible whether it is a Windows or Mac. Even then if it doesn’t work trying to repair and recover the files is the next option.

Part 3: How to Format USB to FAT32 on Windows 10?

In some cases, the USB flash drives need to be formatted to FAT32 as it is one of the most preferred and compatible file systems for both mac and windows. But, while trying to format a flash drive in the usual manner, problems may arise or the FAT32 option might not be available. In such cases, we can resort to alternative as well as simple methods to achieve the goal.

Let us have a look at how a USB flash drive can be formatted to FAT32 via file explorer as well as via disk management.

Method 1: Format USB to FAT32 via File Explorer

A common and easy way to format a USB drive to FAT32 is to make use of the File Explorer.

Step 1: Connect the USB drive or the desired external hard drive to the Windows 10 computer

Step 2: Launch the File Explorer and from it find the USB drive. Right-click on the drive and select Format

Step 3: Select the FAT32 type as the target file system and select the box beside Quick Format. Tap on Start to start the formatting process.

When you are notified about the completion of the process tap OK. Your USB is now is FAT32.

Method 2: Format USB to FAT32 via Disk Management

Disk management is a built-in utility of Windows which is made to help users with the disk partition related problems or works. It is also one of the most preferred choices when it comes to formatting USB to FAT32.

Step 1: Right-click on My Computer and select the Manage option

Step 2: Under Storage tap the Disk Management option

Step 3: from the volume list select the thumb drive

Step 4: Right-click on it and then tap Format

Step 5: Select FAT32 format from the file system: list box

Step 6: tap OK

Part 4: Format USB to FAT32 on Mac - macOS 10.15 Catalina

Formatting a USB flash drive to FAT32 on Mac is easy as windows. To do so you can either use the disk utility or the terminal command line.

Method 1: Use Disk Utility

Follow the steps to format FAT32 with Disk Utility:

Step 1: Plug the USB drive that needs to be formatted to the Mac computer.

Step 2: Navigate to Applications and then to Utilities. Tap it twice to open.

Step 3: Choose the drive that needs to be formatted and tap on Erase.

Step 4: You can rename the USB drive if needed. Choose the MS-DOS(FAT) to format.

Step 5: Select the Master Boot Record for the scheme and then tap Erase.

Step 6: When the process is complete the USB drive is converted to the FAT32 file system.

Method 2: Use Terminal Command Line

The command line also works in the same way as the disk utility to format the USB drive.

Follow the steps to format FAT32 with the Terminal command line:

Step 1: Plug the USB flash drive that needs to be formatted to a Mac computer.

Step 2: To run Spotlight press cmd + space and type: terminal and press Enter

Step 3: Type diskutil list and then find the drive that is acting as your USB

Step 4: Type sudo diskutil eraseDisk FAT32 MBRFormat /dev/disk2

• Sudo - grants you the user right.
• Diskutil – calls the disk utility program.
• erase disk – to command to format the drive
• FAT32 - selects the file system
• MBRFormat – pass information to disk utility commanding to format with a Master Boot Record
• /dev/disk2 - it is the USB drive location

The process may take some time to complete. Wait patiently. On completion type diskutil list in command box if you want to check whether the formatting had been successful

Part 5: How to Recover Lost Data after Formatting a USB Drive to FAT32?

The formatting USB drive is an easy task. But before formatting, some might be worried about the files or data in the USB drive. There may be irrelevant as well as very important files that can’t be replaced in a USB drive. But what to do if the drive is a corrupt one or malfunctioning in some ways?

You need not worry as there are varieties of applications available in the market for recovering such files. An application like Recoverit helps you to recover almost all data, ranging from documents to big size videos from a USB drive even after formatting to FAT32.

Format Thumb Drive For Large Files Mac Os

Recoverit Data Recovery is one of the best and preferred applications in the market and the steps for data recovery are pretty simple and the same whether it be a Windows or a Mac. the recovery of data from an external drive can be done in these three simple steps

• Select a location
• Scan the location
• Preview and recover data

Recoverit Data Recovery - The Best File Recovery Software

Recoverit allows the user to recover any lost data regardless of the model and type of the external device. There is a high success rate in the recovery of files using Recoverit whether it be memory cards, external hard disks, cameras, USB flash drives, music players, etc.

Step 1: Select the external device/drive

To recover deleted or lost files from an external device, it needs to be selected as the target location for data searching and scanning

Step 2: Scan the removable media

A complete scanning will be initiated once you select Start. The scanning usually takes some time depending on the size of the USB drive In between the process, the desired files can be located and filtered.

Step 3: Preview of files and recovery

After the whole scanning process, Recoverit allows the user to preview the located files. All the files including photos, videos, documents, videos, audios, etc. can be previewed.

Then, select the files that you need to recover and tap the Recover bar.

All the files will be recovered and saved for your use.

Conclusion

The loss of files from a USB drive or the drive itself malfunctioning is a common issue in today’s world. The loss of important files and data can have a huge impact on our domestic life as well as work. But, applications like Recoverit helps us to tackle these issues and move forward.

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