There are several key limitations when using FAT32 for file sharing:
- Maximum file size limit of 4GB: FAT32 cannot store individual files larger than 4GB (technically 4GB minus 1 byte). This is a major limitation for large video files, disk images, etc.
- Maximum volume/partition size limit:
- 2TB for 512 byte sectors
- 16TB for 4KB sectors
- Windows built-in formatting tools often limit FAT32 partitions to 32GB
- No built-in file permissions or access control: FAT32 lacks the security features of more modern file systems like NTFS.
- Not a journaling file system: More prone to corruption in case of power failures or improper shutdowns compared to journaling file systems.
- Less efficient space utilization for large numbers of small files compared to more modern file systems.
- No native support for file compression or encryption.
- Limited support for file metadata compared to NTFS.
To work around these limitations for file sharing, some options include:
- Converting FAT32 to NTFS or exFAT file systems, which have higher limits
- Splitting large files into smaller chunks under 4GB
- Using file compression to reduce file sizes
- Utilizing network storage or cloud services that don’t have these limitations
The main advantage of FAT32 is its wide compatibility across operating systems and devices. However, for modern file sharing needs, especially with large files, other file systems like NTFS or exFAT are often preferable if compatible with all systems involved.