File Too Large to Save: How to Copy/Transfer Files Larger than 4GB to FAT32

Are you unable to transfer files larger than 4GB to a FAT32 USB flash drive or SD card? To transfer, copy, or move files larger than 4GB, you need to know the four ways to convert FAT32 to another supported file system – either exFAT or NTFS – with or without formatting.

How to Transfer Files Larger Than 4 GB to FAT32:

1. Method 1: Convert the File System to NTFS Using Partition Master Free
2. Method 2: Reformat the Device to NTFS in File Explorer
3. Method 3: Format FAT32 to NTFS in Disk Management
4. Method 4: Change the File System to NTFS Through Command Prompt Formatting

Why can't I copy, move, or transfer files larger than 4 GB to FAT32?

"I've run into a weird problem recently. I inserted my new 32 GB USB flash drive into my computer and tried to transfer some files – MP3s, documents, that sort of thing. They all transferred quickly, but larger DVD ISO images and video files wouldn't go. I got an error message saying 'File too large for the target file system.' And then the transfer failed. The biggest files were around 5 GB, and my USB drive is formatted as FAT32. Does anyone know how to copy large files over 4 GB to a USB flash drive?"

To understand why some large files fail to transfer between a USB drive and a computer, you need to know about the FAT32 file system and the file size limitations in Windows 11/10/8/7.

• What is FAT32?

A file system is the way storage on devices like hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, and microSD cards is organized. For FAT32, it's one of the most popular file systems ever used on devices like smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, gaming consoles, and security cameras. Plus, it's compatible with virtually every operating system out there, from Windows to macOS and Linux.

Read also: Compare FAT32 and NTFS

What is the maximum file size for FAT32?

The FAT32 file system has a maximum file size limit of 4 GB – that's it. Also, the volume size for a FAT32 partition must be less than 8 TB, which isn't much of a restriction unless you're working with a huge hard drive.

Therefore, you cannot manage (copy, move, save, or transfer) a 4GB file on a disk with the FAT32 file system due to the file size limitation of the FAT32 file system. The error message "The file is too large for the destination file system" also indicates that you are trying to copy a file larger than 4GB to a FAT32 storage drive, which is impossible.

The target file system cannot accommodate the file size.

How to Transfer Files Larger Than 4 GB to FAT32 Without Formatting

If you need to save files that are larger than 4 GB, you'll have to break through the FAT32 file size limit. The only solution is to convert your file system to another Windows-compatible format, typically NTFS. The process is simple, and there are four ways to do it.

Note: Formatting through File Explorer or Disk Management will delete all data, so back up everything important first. If you don't want to back up, you can try using Command Prompt or free third-party disk partition managers, which won't erase your data but simply change the partition type.

Method 1: Convert FAT32 to NTFS without Formatting with Free Partition Assistant

Converting the FAT32 file system to NTFS by formatting will delete data, and it's also risky to run the formatting command. The all-powerful free partition software - tools Partition Master Free can help you fix the "file too large for the destination file system" error completely without formatting.

The process is very straightforward, and the conversion can be done for free with just a few clicks.

Step 1: Install and run Partition Master on your computer.

Step 2: Right-click on a FAT32 partition in the Disk Manager and select "Advanced" then "Convert to NTFS."

Step 3: Click "Continue" in the dialog box to proceed.

Click “Apply” to start the conversion process. Wait for it to finish.

Method 2: Reformatting FAT32 in Windows File Explorer

Disk formatting allows you to change the file system on your device. So, when you want to switch the file system from FAT32 to NTFS to transfer files larger than 4GB to a USB flash drive or memory card, File Explorer in Windows 10/8/7 is a convenient option since it's built into the operating system and you don't have to download anything.

Note: Back up your data before converting FAT32 to NTFS.

Step 1: Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.

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

Step 3: From the File System drop-down menu, select NTFS, and then click Start.

Method 3: Reformatting FAT32 in Windows Disk Management

Windows Disk Management is another default Windows formatter that can format FAT32 USB drives or SD cards to NTFS. Apart from solving the problem of being unable to copy files larger than 4GB to FAT32, you can also use it to format RAW drives to a file system recognizable by Windows.

Note: Back up your data before converting FAT32 to NTFS

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

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

Step 3. Select NTFS as the target file system, then click OK.

Method 4: Convert FAT32 to NTFS without Formatting in Windows Command Prompt

While this won't format the drive and cause data loss, troubleshooting USB issues with the Windows Command Prompt is a bit too much of a hassle and isn't recommended for computer novices. If you're not familiar with basic command-line usage, or perhaps can't run cmd as an administrator, opt for a third-party solution instead.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type cmd, and then hit Enter.

Step 2: In the Command Prompt window, type the command convert [drive letter]: /fs: [file system], and then press Enter.

For example: G:/fs:ntfs.

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You can resolve the "File too large to be stored in the target file system" error.

On this page, we discussed the reasons behind the "File too large for the target file system" error, which usually occurs when you attempt to transfer a large file to a FAT32 device. If you encounter this issue, you can resolve it by converting the file system on the device from FAT32 to NTFS directly. The tool "MiniTool Partition Wizard Free" with its "Convert to NTFS" feature can help you accomplish this task without any data loss.

Alternatively, if you don't need the data currently on the target device, you can format it to NTFS using File Explorer, Disk Management, or even the CMD command line. For a more efficient and secure solution, you can resort to a partition manager tool.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Fixing "File Too Large" Error

For more information on how to fix the “File Too Large” error or FAT32 issues, read on and find the answer to your problem below.

1. How can I get around the 4GB limit of FAT32?

To get around the 4 GB limit and store large files on the device, you can convert the FAT32 file system to NTFS or exFAT. For internal hard drives, set the file system to NTFS. For external hard drives or removable storage devices, format it as exFAT.

2. Can I format 128GB to FAT32?

Yes, of course. Due to the limitation on Windows computers that the maximum size for a FAT32 formatted partition is 32GB, you cannot directly format a 128GB device or partition to FAT32 using built-in Windows tools like File Explorer or Disk Management.

Fortunately, you can use the Partition Master tool to help. It breaks the 32 GB maximum volume size limit on Windows computers. Plus, it lets you directly format a 128 GB partition, USB, or even an SD card to FAT32 with its advanced formatting feature. For a step-by-step guide, refer to this tutorial: How to Format a 128GB SD Card to FAT32.

How can I fix the issue of a file being too large to store on the target file system without formatting?

To do this, you can use the File Conversion feature in the Partition Master tool. Here are the steps:

1. Connect the drive or removable device with the "file too large" error to your computer.
2. Install and launch the free Partition Master Tool.
3. Right-click on the target storage device, and select "Advanced," then click "Convert to NTFS."
4. Click "OK," and then choose "Perform Tasks" to complete the conversion process.