this post was submitted on 16 Aug 2024
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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)

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[–] [email protected] 49 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (3 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 3 weeks 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 points 3 weeks ago

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

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks 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 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

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

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

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

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

well that answers my question of who still needs FAT32

[–] accideath 2 points 3 weeks 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

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

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] 11 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago

Great answer, thank you

[–] stankmut 1 points 3 weeks 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.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 weeks ago

I wonder if this was to attempt to force people to use exFAT instead.