Microsoft has lifted the maximum FAT32 partition size limit in Windows 11

In the latest preview build of Windows 11 on the Canary channel, Microsoft has removed the previously established limit on the size of the created FAT32 partition of 32 GB. Now it is 2 TB.

Image source: blogs.windows.com

«When formatting drives from the command line using the ‘format’ command, we have increased the FAT32 [partition] size limit from 32GB to 2TB,” according to a Windows Insider blog post. Previously, despite the artificial limit of 32 GB, Windows systems retained the ability to read larger partitions with the FAT32 file system if they were created in other OSes or using alternative methods – for example, from the PowerShell command line with administrator rights or using a command that ignores this limitation third party utilities.

The change has been rolled out to Windows 11 Insider Preview build 27686 to Windows Insider members on the Canary channel. As soon as the innovation appears on the open channel, that is, it becomes publicly available, all Windows 11 users will be able to use the standard “format” command in the command line and create FAT32 partitions up to 2 TB in size without third-party utilities and PowerShell. However, the standard formatter in the Windows GUI will maintain an artificial limit of 32 GB for this file system.

The latest build on the Canary channel also includes an updated preview version of the Windows Sandbox Client, which is updated via the Microsoft Store and offers several new features and improvements, including folder sharing and command line support. Runtime clipboard redirection, audio and video input control, and the ability to share folders with the host at runtime are all available by clicking the new ellipsis button in the top right corner of the app. Information about the program’s capabilities in the command line interface can be obtained using the “wsb.exe –help” command.

Build 27686 optimizes battery performance and fixes an issue where the battery icon on the lock screen would not sync with the actual battery level. Finally, devices of users enrolled in the Windows Insider program will now run background tests to send diagnostic data to Microsoft to help the company improve network performance. The amount of data sent will not exceed 10 MB per day, and it will be sent only over Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections that do not have a traffic limitation mark. This will only affect builds on the Canary channel version 27686 and higher, Microsoft emphasized.