Microsoft lifts 32GB limit on FAT32 partitions in Windows 11 preview
Microsoft has recently removed the 32GB cap on FAT32 partitions in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview build, allowing users to create partitions as large as 2TB through the command line. This update comes with Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27686, released to users in the Canary channel. While this change significantly increases the partition size limit, it’s important to note that the Windows graphical interface for formatting drives still imposes the 32GB limit.
Microsoft’s official changelog for the build states, “When formatting disks from the command line using the format command, we’ve increased the FAT32 size limit from 32GB to 2TB.”
When this update becomes available to all users in the stable version of Windows, it will be possible to create FAT32 partitions up to 2TB directly through the command line, eliminating the need for third-party software like Rufus or similar workarounds.
Before this update, users who needed to format larger FAT32 partitions had to use Windows PowerShell with administrative privileges to bypass the 32GB restriction.
Beyond this major change, the new build also brings a range of other improvements. These include enhanced battery life, an early version of the Windows Sandbox Client, and a new option for HDR video streaming, though the latter feature has not been officially documented.
Additionally, Microsoft has indicated that the update enables the OS to conduct periodic network tests in the background. These tests will use a small amount of data, capped at 10MB per day, and will only run on Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections that aren’t set as metered. Users in the Canary channel can access this update by going to Settings > Windows Update.
