[Fixed] FAT32 Format Option Not Available in Windows


Why, all of a sudden, do I not have the FAT32 option when attempting to format a flash drive? Since the most recent Windows 10 update, the format options are limited to exFAT and NTSF. File Explorer sees all flash drives as exFAT, not FAT32, even when formatted in a Linux machine with FAT32?

When you want to format a flash drive, SD card, or other external media in FAT32, you might run into the surprise of the choice absent in Windows. It may be very frustrating, mainly when using the FAT32 file system, because of compatibility with your old devices, specific hardware, or software requirements.

There are various reasons for FAT32 format option not available. This guide from Qiling will disclose these to you. In addition, we will provide you with reliable solutions for formatting your drives to FAT32 when you need them.

Why FAT32 Format Option Not Available

A problem might arise when formatting the flash drive or storage device to FAT32 through the function menu, but the option is not there. This is caused by constraints within Windows's powers.

The FAT32 file system was developed by Microsoft in 1977 and became famous for being used with older execution devices like game consoles and some TV sets. However, later, with the standard tools, Windows won't permit you to format drives larger than 32GB to FAT32.

Various devices belonging to the former generation supporting the FAT32 file system cannot write or read files larger than 4GB. If you own such devices and need to enlarge their storage capacity, your device should offer FAT32 formatting.

The restricted size capacity of the FAT32 files system is the reason that Microsoft limited the storage capacity to 32GB on Windows operating systems. So if you see this limitation, you need to remember that it is not an error, but just an intended limitation.

📖Read Also: NTFS or FAT32, Which File System Should I Use for USB, Windows and Mac

Solution to FAT32 Format Option Not Available

In this regard, how do you format large drives to FAT32 if Windows does not? The solution lies in a potent tool called Qiling Disk Master Free. This tool offers a specialized "NTFS to FAT" option, allowing you to convert file systems stress-free.

Besides, this feature ensures that you won't encounter data loss during the formatting process. This is an all-in-one solution that supports both FAT32 and NTFS.

If you're ready to fix this formatting problem, check the following steps to start managing file systems.

Tip
While Qiling Disk Master focuses more on data protection, it is recommended that you have a backup of your data before carrying out any primary disk operations to remain safe.

Step 1. Right-click target device partition and select "Advanced" > "Convert to FAT".

Step 2. When the check process completes, click "Proceed" to start NTFS to FAT32 conversion.

Step 3. Click "Apply" to save all changes.

🚩Key features:

Don't forget to share this tool on your social media if you find it helpful for the task.

Conclusion

If FAT32 formatting is not available in Windows, there are two reasons, which are provided in this article. But more than that, it has familiarized you with the powerful Qiling Disk Master Free, which needs only a click to format larger drives to FAT32. This free FAT32 format tool, with its cutting-edge features and data-safe approach, is the solution to problems relating to file system management.

FAQs on FAT32 Format Option Not Available

Q
1. Why can't I format my SD card to FAT32?
Probably, the size of your SD card is the factor that is the most likely reason. Windows has pre-installed formatting tools with the file system FAT32 where the maximum file size is 32 GB. You may also have problems if your card is write-protected or has file system errors.
Q
2. Is 128GB too big for FAT32?
Yes, the 128GB exceeds the maximum capacity of the FAT32 file system, which is the default format of Windows. So that you can use FAT32 with an SD card of such a large size you'll need a specialized third-party tool like Qiling Disk Master Free which will bypass this limitation.
Q
3. Is FAT the same as FAT32?
One may be close to the other, but they are not the same. FAT is the old file system (sometimes referred to as FAT16) with fewer features than modern ones. FAT32 has been reconfigured to be more efficient in bigger drives management and large files. Even being an advanced format, it is still widely compatible with newer systems such as exFAT and NTFS which perform better in terms of speed and file size support

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