During Setup You Are Unable to Format a Partition with a File Allocation Table Format (301340)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
This article was previously published under Q301340

SYMPTOMS

During Setup, if you create a partition, the option to format the hard disk with a file allocation table (FAT) format is not available.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the partition that you have selected to create is greater than 32 gigabytes (GB) in size.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

You cannot format a volume larger than 32 gigabytes (GB) in size by using the FAT32 file system. Windows XP can mount and support FAT32 volumes larger than 32 GB (subject to the other limits), but you cannot create a FAT32 volume larger than 32 GB by using the Format tool or Windows XP Setup. If you need to format a volume that is larger than 32 GB, use the NTFS file system to format it. Another option is to start from a Microsoft Windows 98 or Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me) Startup disk and use the Format tool included on the disk.

For additional information about the limitations of the FAT32 file system, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

314463 Limitations of the FAT32 File System in Windows XP

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/15/2006
Keywords:kbprb kbsetup KB301340
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