In a long-awaited move, Microsoft has finally tackled the FAT32 partition size limit, increasing it from 32GB to 2TB with the latest Windows 11 Canary build (27686). This update, nearly three decades in the making, is currently available to Windows 11 insiders, marking a significant improvement for those still utilizing the FAT32 file system.

FAT, or File Allocation Table, was originally developed for floppy disks and eventually became the default file system for many early Microsoft operating systems. However, with the introduction of NTFS in 2001 alongside Windows XP, FAT32 gradually fell out of favor. Despite this, FAT32 remains widely used in USB drives and SD cards due to its compatibility across various devices and operating systems.

The 32GB partition size limit has been a longstanding frustration for users, largely due to constraints that former Windows developer Dave W Plummer imposed while developing the format dialog box back in 1994. Plummer admitted that the format dialog was intended as a temporary solution, but it ultimately became permanent, constraining the FAT32 size to 32GB.

Now, nearly 30 years later, Microsoft has increased the FAT32 partition size limit to a more contemporary 2TB. However, this update is currently limited to formatting disks via the command line using the format command. It is expected that Microsoft will eventually extend this capability to the graphical user interface (GUI) as well.

It’s worth noting that while Windows has long supported reading FAT32 partitions up to 2TB, users previously needed third-party tools to create partitions of that size. Even with the size limit expanded, FAT32 still has a 4GB individual file size restriction, making it less ideal for larger files compared to more modern file systems like NTFS and exFAT.

Though FAT32 is not as widely used as it once was, the format remains common for specific applications, particularly in portable storage devices. Microsoft’s decision to lift the size limit is a welcome update for users who rely on FAT32, ensuring that the file system can continue to meet modern storage needs.

With this update, Windows 11 continues to enhance its storage management capabilities, bringing legacy file systems like FAT32 in line with current technological standards. As Windows 11 evolves, further updates to the GUI are anticipated, making it easier for all users to take advantage of the increased FAT32 partition size limit.