Copying large files to a USB flash drive or external storage sometimes fails with the error:
“File Too Large for the Destination File System.” This usually happens due to the FAT32 file system limitation.
In this guide, I’ll show you easy methods to copy files larger than 4GB without losing data.
💡 Introduction
Most USB drives come formatted with FAT32, which has a maximum file size limit of 4GB.
If you try to copy a file bigger than 4GB, Windows will prevent the transfer.
This is common for videos, backups, virtual machine files, or ISO files.
To fix this, you can either reformat the drive to a modern file system or use special tools to split files.
🔹 Method 1: Reformat Pendrive to exFAT or NTFS
Warning: Reformatting erases all data on the drive. Backup your files first.
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Insert your USB drive.
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Open This PC → Right-click on USB Drive → Format.
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Under File System, choose:
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exFAT (best for cross-platform: Windows & Mac)
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NTFS (best for Windows-only use)
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Tick Quick Format → Start.
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Once done, copy your large files.
✅ Now you can copy files larger than 4GB without errors.
🔹 Method 2: Split Large Files
If you don’t want to reformat your drive:
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Use a file-splitting tool like 7-Zip:
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Right-click the file → 7-Zip → Add to archive.
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Set Split to volumes, bytes (e.g., 2GB each).
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Copy the split files to your FAT32 drive.
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On the destination computer, extract the archive to reconstruct the file.
⚠️ This method keeps your FAT32 format but requires extra steps to join files.
🔹 Method 3: Use a Different Storage Medium
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External Hard Drive: Usually formatted with NTFS.
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Network Storage: Copy large files over LAN or cloud storage.
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SD Card / USB Drive formatted with exFAT: Cross-platform friendly.
🔹 Key Features
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Easily copy files larger than 4GB.
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Supports FAT32, NTFS, and exFAT formats.
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Quick and beginner-friendly solutions.
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No need for third-party apps if you reformat.
🔹 Perfect For
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Users transferring large movies, games, or software.
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Students moving project files or virtual machines.
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Professionals handling backup drives or huge documents.
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Anyone facing the “File Too Large” error on USB drives.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. Why does this error occur?
FAT32 file system limits individual files to 4GB max, regardless of free space.
Q2. Can I use exFAT on Mac and Windows?
Yes, exFAT works on both Windows and macOS without size restrictions.
Q3. Will reformatting delete my existing files?
Yes, always back up your data before reformatting.
Q4. Can I copy large files without formatting the drive?
Yes, by splitting files using tools like 7-Zip or WinRAR.
Q5. Is NTFS compatible with macOS?
Mac can read NTFS natively, but write support requires extra software.
