If you have a 64GB, 128GB, or larger drive, Windows Explorer won't let you choose FAT32. We have to force it using the Command Prompt. While this sounds scary, it is actually very simple.

If you find command lines intimidating, free tools like or FAT32 Format (from Ridgecrop Consultants) can format large USB drives to FAT32 with a simple graphical interface.

Assign a drive letter (e.g., F ):

In the DiskPart window, type the following commands, pressing after each line:

Right-click the button and select Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin) .

While Windows can read larger FAT32 drives, it prefers you use the modern exFAT or NTFS for large storage. However, many devices (especially older electronics) strictly require FAT32.

Select the new partition:

Here is how to bypass that limitation.