FAT32 maximum format size

[Rishi Rocky N.]

Hey Guys,

I have a 1TB WD Hard drive which is in NTFS format at the moment.

I want to format this to FAT / FAT 32.

Someone told me that FAT / FAT32 would not be able to format a whole TB.

What is the maximum size can be formated ?

 

[BlaqkAudio]

I believe it's 2 TB. You should be fine

 

[duervo]

8TB is max volume size.

4GB-1byte is the max file size.

If you plan on wanting to store any files larger than 4GB on the drive (i.e.: Dual layer DVD ISO images,) then FAT32 isn't going to work for you. Other than that, you should be fine.

Info on FAT32 when Windows 2000 was released: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/184006

Info on FAT32 that came out with Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314463/EN-US

 

[Rishi Rocky N.]

Okay , this is what i want to achieve with the 1 TB WD.

I have my mac book pro of which i use it to dj with serato.

i also have a windows desktop i use.

I cant build crates in serato with the HD on the mac due to the NTFS, so because this HD is strictly for music purposes , i want to format the entire drive to FAT.

So , am using my Windows desktop to do the formatting , i go to my computer and right click on the HD i am seeing exFAT and not FAT or FAT 32.

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8TB is max volume size.

4GB-1byte is the max file size.

If you plan on wanting to store any files larger than 4GB on the drive (i.e.: Dual layer DVD ISO images,) then FAT32 isn't going to work for you. Other than that, you should be fine.

@ Duervo- when you say 4GB do you mean like folders bigger than 4GB or a single mp3 file ( as in my case with music files )

 

[duervo]

exFAT and FAT32 share the same limits. You would want to look at the Windows XP link I posted to get the more accurate depiction of what those are for exFat.

exFAT is Microsoft's format that they created for external flash-based media (USB keys, mainly, but any external USB storage device such as a mechanical drive inside a USB enclosure like what you have would follow the same guidelines.)

When I say 4GB, I mean a single file (i.e.: an mp3 file.)