This is badly written and ignorant article. Fat32 supports up to 16Tb partition size (depending on cluster size - 2Tb -16Tb).
Its microsoft’s windows tools that arbitrarily only allow users to create 32Gb partitions, and it is this that is being changed. This is not a change to Fat32, this is a change to windows. 3rd party tools on Windows and other systems like Linux have long offered more options for partition size.
That its taken to 2024 for Microsoft to fix the command line tool (and still not fix the GUI tools) is ridiculous.
That’s what I thought!
The real issue with Fat32 is the 4gb file size limit.
About 10 years ago, my usb drive was Fat32 by default. I changed it to Ntfs due to Fat32’s 4-GB cap, which I’ve disliked. I’m still using Ntfs.
Problem is NTFS isn’t as widely supported across alternative operating systems.
Exfat if you wanna use your usb drive on Macos or Linux.
I have Windows so I’m OK with Ntfs.
From the department of temporary fixes, becoming a permanent solution. This guy made FAT32: https://youtu.be/bikbJPI-7Kg?si=orQCjxmnOPAhKIeu
I love how the arstechnica article words it like you will never need FAT32 and it’s silly to consider it.
I had to download fat32format I don’t know how many times because I needed to format an extra large SD Card or USB drive for some device. Microsoft really shafted exFAT’s adoption with their licensing.
FAT32 is also really simple to implement. Supporting exFAT may require a larger microcontroller with more memory, which results in a more expensive product.
FAT32 is the java of file systems. Works everywhere, on anything. But everyone hates it.
Even my speaker can read fat32, but I never format any storage in that system
Yep, many smart TVs still only accept FAT32 format. I have to split my HDR videos into multiple files to be able to watch them on TV — because of 4GiB size limit.
I personally haven’t had to touch it in over a decade, but I guess there’s probably some uses for it still, yeah.
Personal computers and flagship phones? Yeah you can probably use exFAT.
Video game consoles and handhelds? Dashcams? Car entertainment centers? Cheap android devices? 100% going to be FAT32 partitioned with a Master Boot Record
Low end motherboard BIOS flashing
I just flashed my mobo last night and it wanted a fat32 fs. It’s not low-end at all.
You think high end motherboards are going to flash from XFS?
I’ve seen a few that can read ExFAT
Yup, I had to download a program to format my 64Gb micro SD card for my 3ds last year.
Rufus is your friend
I think there was some kind of tool that let you extend it more. I had a 512gb drive on fat32 but it sucked so much I just reformated to ext4 and it performed much better
Yeah, GUIFormat can do that. Fat32 has its limitations, but I pretty much always use it as the stuff I use micro SD cards in, require it
I don’t know how much it matters though? If I try it on my Windows XP machine I’ll still be stuck with the old limit right?
If someone still use win-dos, 4GB per file and 32GB partition cap is what they deserve.
