Why we can't create a file larger than 4 GB in FAT-32 file syatem?

Answer 1

Taken from Microsoft Tech Net

The first version of FAT was limited to partitions of 32 MB because MS-DOS described file locations in 512-byte sectors. When Microsoft introduced MS-DOS 4.0, PCs commonly shipped with hard drive sizes that exceeded the 32-MB limit. Microsoft solved this limitation by changing FAT to address clusters rather than physical sectors. Cluster sizes depended on the size of the drive, but the 64-KB limit still existed for FAT entries. Because of programming limits, cluster sizes also couldn't exceed 64 KB. This change removed barriers in existence at the time, but created a new one: the 4-GB limit. By doing a little math, you discover the 32-MB FAT limit: 512 * 64 KB = 32 MB. You can see FAT's current partition limit by multiplying the maximum size of FAT by the maximum cluster size allowed by MS-DOS: 64 KB * 64 KB = 4.096 GB.

Answer 2

that's just the way the thing is formatted...in fact the limit is one byte less than 4 GB, something to do with clusters...

just in case you want to convert your current Fat-32 system to a NTFS:

Go to Start | All Programs | Accessories | Command Prompt (or, from a Run box, type CMD) and, assuming you intend to convert C:, give the command:

VOL C:

Note the name of the disk in the first line, and the Volume Serial Number (for example, 3F4E-2D1B) in the second. Then type:

CONVERT C: /FS:NTFS

It will ask for that name in confirmation. Then it will ask two further questions. Reply Y each time to set up conversion to happen at the next boot, then restart the machine. (If you are converting a partition other than the operating system’s partition, you may find that it runs without rebooting.) After returning to Win XP, the hard disk will work for two or three minutes, tidying up. Leave things alone during this time.

YOU SHOULDN'T LOSE ANY DATA, BUT AS USUAL, MAKE A BACK-UP BEFORE YOU DO THIS...

with NTFS, your file size limitation is virtually unlimited

Answer 3

The Fat-32 access table cannot store the file pointers for a file larger than 4GB.

Answer 4

When you pack an enormous quantity of information, you'll have to choose to pack it however and forget to find or access any piece of information, or, on the other hand, prepare the store for fast find, store and retrieval.
There's a mathematical model behind the reason you ask for, lengthy and maybe boring. But that model imposes limits to the biggest store possible, being 4 GB in Fat32.
Need more ? switch to NTFS.
See http://www.ntfs.com/ntfs_vs_fat.htm .
NT4 and above can be switched to NTFS.
Give it a try & good luck.

Answer 5

Because that's the way it was designed. When FAT32 first came out, 4GB files were generally unheard of.

Koam answer is not addressing your question. His answer is explaining the 4GB DISK partition size of FAT16. Your question (as you know) is in regards to file size limits (and not disk partition) on FAT 32.