FILE TOO LARGE FOR TARGET FILE SYSTEM - TECHNOLOGY - 2024

If the computer detects that the file is too large for the target file system, it is because the target storage device was created in a format that does not allow transferring files larger than 4 Giga Bytes.

It is a warning that most users take as an error in the behavior of the devices, although they are nothing more than rules between different formats of storage devices. The best known are NTFS and FAT32.

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The message "The file is too large for the target file system", indicates when we try to send large volumes of data (greater than 4GB) to a storage device that has the file system of the FAT32 type.

This type of file system was designed to support older versions of Windows, therefore it is common to see it as one of the default data structures for the use of USB sticks and SD (or micro SD) memories.

It is possible to change the formats of the storage devices (their data structure), but you should know that if you use a format such as NTFS (new technology file system), it is not compatible with Windows lower than Windows 98, as is with consoles like PSP2.

In the past, the existence of external storage devices with capacities of 8GB, 16GB and even 1TB was not foreseen. Therefore, when these sizes were born, new data structures had to be created. The best known are: NTFS, ExFAT, ext2, ext3, ext4.

How to fix the limitation "File is larger than target file system" without formatting?

You need to connect your device to the computer so that you can exchange files larger than 4GB, and remove the limitation of the FAT32 file system. All this without losing your precious information.

First you must go to "Start". Type in the integrated search engine the word "Run", followed by pressing the ENTER button.

A console will open where you must type "cmd". Press ENTER (or click "OK").

Once the Windows cmd editor appears, type: "diskpart". This command is used to enter another cmd menu.

In the next editor "cmd" that appears, write: "LIST DISK".

This command will show you when hardware-level devices (physical part of the computer) are detected. In this case it detects two devices.

Then write in the same editor "LIST VOLUME." This command is used to observe how many logical storage devices exist. In the list you can see a series of words, these are:

- Volume No.: Indicates the volume number.

- Ltr: Displays the letter that is automatically created when a hard disk or removable device is installed. This letter is important to perform the actions you need to do.

- Label: The name you have given to the devices.

- Fs: System format they have (FAT32, NTFS, ExFAT, among others).

- Type: It refers to what type of device it is. They can be partitions, CD / DVD-ROM, removable (the best known).

- Status: Verify the operation, if they are working correctly, incorrectly, or there are no means to verify.

- Info: Shows if that partition or removable is the operating system or the boot. In those bearing these names, try not to take any action.

Note: in this step make sure to copy the Ltr, where the target file system is located. In this case it will be "E", but this may vary according to each computer.

We close the "diskpart.exe" window to work with the cmd editor that you opened for the first time. There type this command without removing or adding spaces "Convert Ltr: / FS: NTFS", and press ENTER.

- Convert: It will allow us to change the formats.

- Ltr: Here you write the letter where the device is located (indicates the logical path).

- / FS: Change from one system file format to another.

- NTFS: A much newer format than FAT32, which will allow you to transfer larger files, without limitations.

Note: Remember that in the command line where the letter "E" is written, the letter (Ltr) will go where your destination storage device that presents the limitation is located.

Ready! Now you can use your storage device to transfer files larger than 4GB, and you can also verify that the information you had there is still there without any modification.

You should know that this way only serves to pass the FAT32 file system to NTFS. It is not possible with other types of file system. To revert the change is only possible by formatting the drive, so if you need to do it, remember to make a backup of your files.

Check the status of your storage device

To verify that your device has successfully connected to the computer, click "Start," and search for "Computer," then click on it.

Locate where your destination storage device is for the file (s) you want to record, and right click on it, then "Properties".

When you are in "Properties", you can verify the file system that your storage device has. After verifying it, click "OK".

Note: Here you can see what type of disk you use, what is its file system, the space it has available, in which drive it is (Ltr), and of course the space occupied by files.

References

1. Wikipedia (June, 2018). File System. Consulted of: wikipedia.com.
2. Microsoft (2018). Use a command-line utility to convert a FAT32 disk To NTFS. Retrieved from: technet.microsoft.com.
3. Microsoft (2018). Storage Devices. Retrieved from: technet.microsoft.com.
4. Microsoft Technical Support (April 2018). Introduction to the FAT, HPFS and NTFS file systems. Retrieved from: support.microsoft.com
5. Wikipedia (2018). Disk partition, Consulted from: wikipedia.com.
6. Microsoft Technical Support (No date) Convert a FAT or FAT32 drive to NTFS. Retrieved from: support.microsoft.com.