If your computer says a file is too large for the volume's format, your drive is stuck on FAT32. Follow our easy guide to convert your drive to NTFS without losing data.
If you see a cannot be copied too large for format error, it means you are trying to move a file larger than 4GB onto a drive formatted with the FAT32 file system. Even if your USB drive has 100GB of free space, the older FAT32 system has a strict rule that blocks any single file from being larger than 4GB. To fix this, you must change the file system of your drive to NTFS or exFAT. You can do this natively by formatting the drive in Windows File Explorer or using Command Prompt to convert it. For the safest and easiest fix, you can use professional partition software to convert the drive from FAT32 to NTFS visually without losing any of your saved data.
Your computer uses different file systems to organize data on your storage drives. Some of these older systems have strict rules about how big a single file can be.
When a file cannot be copied because too large for the volume's format, the problem is always the FAT32 file system. FAT32 is a very old storage format. It is highly compatible with gaming consoles and smart TVs, but it has a massive flaw. It cannot store any single file that is larger than 4GB.
If you try to copy a 5GB movie or a large video game file to a FAT32 USB drive, Windows will stop the transfer. Even if the USB drive is empty, the system will say the file is too large for the volume's format. To fix this, you must upgrade the drive to a modern file system like NTFS or exFAT. These modern formats have no file size limits, allowing you to transfer massive files easily.
You can upgrade your file system using a few different methods depending on whether you want to keep or erase your current files. We will walk you through the best Windows and software tools for the job.
The fastest way to fix this error is to simply format the USB drive using the built-in Windows menus. This changes the file system to NTFS instantly. You must remember that formatting a drive deletes everything currently stored on it. You need to copy your important files to your computer desktop before you start this process.
Step 1: Plug your USB drive into your computer and open File Explorer.
Step 2: Right-click your USB drive and select Format from the menu.
Step 3: Click the drop-down menu under File System and choose NTFS or exFAT. Use NTFS if you only use Windows computers, and use exFAT if you also use Mac computers.
Step 4: Make sure the Quick Format box is checked and click Start.
Step 5: Windows will warn you that it will erase all data. Click OK. Once it finishes, you can move your massive files onto the drive without any errors.
If you have many files on the USB drive and don't want to delete them, you can use a native Windows command. This tool converts the file system without erasing your data.
This method is used in Command Prompt. Typing the wrong drive letter can cause problems, so you must be very careful when entering the text.
Step 1: Press the Windows Start button, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
Step 2: Look at File Explorer to find the exact drive letter of your USB drive.
Step 3: Type convert E: /fs:ntfs into the black screen. Change the letter E to match your actual USB drive letter.
Step 4: Press Enter. Windows will process the command and upgrade the file system to NTFS. Your old files will stay safe, and you can now add files larger than 4GB.
Typing text commands can be scary, and the native Windows converter sometimes fails if the drive has hidden errors. Using a visual repair tool is the safest way to upgrade your file system.
AOMEI Partition Software makes changing file systems incredibly easy. It includes a dedicated NTFS to FAT32 Converter tool that works perfectly in both directions. You can use it to upgrade your FAT32 drive to NTFS with just one click, keeping all your personal data completely safe. If you ever need to use the drive on an old gaming console again, you can use the same tool to safely convert it back to FAT32.
A safe and reliable disk partition management tool that helps you migrate OS to SSD or HDD, reorganize disk space, and improve overall PC performance.
Step 1: Download and open AOMEI Partition Software on your computer. Plug your USB drive in. Click on Convert at the top menu and select Convert to NTFS/FAT32.
Step 2: A new window will pop up. Choose the option that says FAT32 to NTFS and click Next.
Step 3: Select your USB drive from the list on the screen and click Next.
Step 4: Review the operation on the screen and click Proceed. The software will safely upgrade your file system to NTFS. You can now transfer your massive files without any annoying errors.
Transfer errors are very frustrating, but they are easy to fix once you understand how file sizes work. Upgrading your storage format takes just a few minutes.
The 4GB file size limit is a strict rule built into the old FAT32 file system. When you try to move a large movie or game file, Windows will always block it. You can fix this by formatting the drive to NTFS or exFAT using Windows File Explorer. If you want to keep your current files safe, using the visual converter tool inside AOMEI Partition Software is the best choice. It upgrades your file system instantly without the stress of typing text commands.
1. Does converting a drive to NTFS delete my files?
It depends on the method you use. If you use the "Format" button in Windows File Explorer, it will completely delete all your files. If you use the Windows Command Prompt or the visual converter tool in AOMEI Partition Software, it simply upgrades the file system in the background. Your files will stay perfectly safe.
2. Can I use exFAT instead of NTFS to fix this error?
Yes, you absolutely can. The exFAT file system also removes the 4GB file size limit. The main difference is compatibility. NTFS is best if you only use Windows computers. You should format your drive to exFAT if you need to plug the USB drive into both Windows PCs and Mac computers, as Macs can read and write to exFAT perfectly.
3. Why does my 64GB USB drive have a 4GB file limit?
The limit has nothing to do with the physical size of your USB drive. It is a limitation of the software map used to organize the drive. Many manufacturers format new 64GB flash drives to FAT32 at the factory so they will work on older devices right out of the box. You just need to reformat the drive to a modern file system to unlock its full potential.