Learn how to format external hard drives to FAT32 on Windows 10, especially how to format an USB Flash drive or external hard drive to FAT32 without 32GB limitation on Windows 10. The former recommendation fat32formatter is an excellent small tool to format external hard drives to FAT32 on Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, but does not work anymore on Windows 10. Fat32formatter can be started, but you cannot format any drive. I found the Macrorit Partition Expert Professional Edition (Version: 3.9.8, updated on Jul 22, 2016) and it is working seamlessly to format FAT32 on Windows 10.
You may ask why there is a need of formatting external hard drives to FAT32. I can tell you why. Apple’s AirPort Extreme base station and Time Capsule do not support encoded volumes, ExFAT and NTFS as external hard drives. However, I was looking for an option of formatting FAT32 on Windows 10 for my 233 GB Seagate external hard drive. I wanted to expand my private iCloud (‘miCloud‘) with this hard drive connected to one of my 2 Time Capsules.
Unfortunately, fat32formatter is not working anymore on Windows 10. The ‘Start‘ button is grayed meaning you cannot start formatting:
External hard drives are easily formatted to FAT32 on Windows 10 without 32GB limitation. The freeware Macrorit Disk Partition Expert does this formatting job perfectly on Windows 10.
Stay tuned! 😉
Windows 10: How To Format External Hard Drives To FAT32 http://t.co/9tekaSUmjx
That’s great, but I just downloaded the Macrorit tool and Windows Defender says it has a Win32.Spursint.A trojan. http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/threat/encyclopedia/Entry.aspx?Name=Trojan%3aWin32%2fSpursint.A
Hi stujordan,
that’s wired. I didn’t get that message. Have you downloaded to tool from the original website (check my link in the post).
Cheers,
Gee Are
Hi stujordan,
unzip the downloaded zip-file. Next open it by double-click. No trojan-message should appear.
Cheers,
Gee Are
Pingback: I got the new Blu Studio Energy, but I am having some problems with the micro sd card | Bongo Gadgets Blog
DO NOT DOWNLOAD.
I received a warning from Windows Defender about trojan Trojan:Win32/Varpes.J!plock after opening the ZIP file.
Hi Steve,
Hi stujordan,
unzip the downloaded zip-file. Next open it by double-click. No trojan-message should appear.
Cheers,
Gee Are
Hi, I just have a question regarding formatting my external hard drive in fat32 format. It’s not allowing me to copy files larger than 4 gb. Please help.
Hi raj,
this is a limitation of FAT32. you cannot copy files larger than 4 GB. You have to format the external disk to NTFS which got no file size limitation.
Cheers,
Gee Are
Hello I tried to format my 320 gb external hard drive on Windows 10and it said volume was too big
Hi Chris,
Did you try to reboot your PC and check it again?
Cheers,
Gee Are
hey thanks this was usefull for me.
Hi Oswaldo,
you’re welcome. Many thanks for your feedback!
Cheers,
Gee Are
How could a Z Drive suddenly appear labeled Fat 32 on my HP Envy?
Macrorit Disk Partition Free Edition V3.9.8
Failed to allow conversion on 64GB USB flash drive to FAT32.
OS used: Win 10 (64) with anniversary update
Useless error message.
Pity the SW looks well presented.
Zero on line help that is relevent.