The arbitrary limit is finally being removed.

Microsoft is planning to remove the 32GB size limit for FAT32 partitions in Windows 11. While FAT supports volumes up to 2TB, Windows has had a 32GB arbitrary limit in place for nearly 30 years.

The limit is only being removed from the format command line right now, so the existing format dialog box will continue to have the FAT32 size limit unless Microsoft finally decides to update this Windows feature it has forgotten about for decades.

Announcement: Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27686 (Canary Channel)

  • @[email protected]
    49•3 months ago

    What about the equally arbitrary limit on filepath lengths?
    Windows happily lets you save files in

    C:\horribly\long\convoluted\folder\structure\with\filenames\like\The_Entire_Subject_Line_Of_An_Email_By_Default_When_You_Save_It_Locally.eml

    But when you try to copy or move that file with the explorer later, it throws an error.

    • kubica
      16•3 months ago

      My whole digital experience would have been a lot different if it wasn’t for this. I would want to have files structured into clearly named files and folders, but no, sooner or later it bites you if try to work around it.

    • @[email protected]
      5•3 months ago

      You can actually make a change in the registry that completely removes said arbitrary limit. I agree it should go away.

    • Nomecks
      3•3 months ago

      Want to migrate an SMB share from one storage array to another using file tools? Haha Linux mount it and use rsync or else, loser.

  • @9point6
    17•3 months ago

    FFS I literally needed to work around this a couple of weeks ago

      • @accideath
        2•3 months ago

        There are still a few devices that can‘t read exFAT or NTFS. If you want to softmod a Nintendo console for example, you‘re tied to FAT32

    • Shawdow194
      3•3 months ago

      Me too! Burning USB drives for old televisions that didnt support NTFS…

  • @[email protected]
    8•3 months ago

    Unrelated but is the Verge even a good or trustworthy source for tech news? Maybe I’m still jaded by their build a PC tutorial

    • @[email protected]OPEnglish
      11•3 months ago

      Probably depends on the topic / writer. I generally only read their news articles and not their tutorials or guides. I like that they usually link their sources and I can follow up on those. I probably trust Ars Technica more than the Verge though.

    • stankmutEnglish
      1•3 months ago

      The build a pc tutorial is a huge outlier when it comes to their site. They’ve been pretty consistent in quality compared to most tech news sites. They’ve got a strong ethical standard and they fact check the things they publish.