April 14, 2026, 4:36 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
In a new preview version of Windows 11, Microsoft has changed a long-standing limitation of the FAT32 file system. The previous volume limit has been significantly increased, ending a restriction that has been in place for decades. At the same time, Microsoft continues to work on the partition tool of the operating system.
The focus on Windows 11 brings new developments that users may notice. Ahead of upcoming monthly updates and the planned 26H2 system update in the fall, initial performance improvements in the system are already evident.
FAT32 can now use significantly larger drives
As reported by the online magazine “WindowsLatest,” participants in the Windows Insider Program can now format storage in the FAT32 format up to 2 terabytes. Since 1996, the maximum size was 32 gigabytes. This limit was a software specification by Microsoft.
According to the article, there is no specific technical reason for this limitation. Although FAT32 technically supports larger storage media, Windows has not allowed it until now. Other operating systems or third-party programs have already been able to bypass this restriction.
The file system dates back to a time when large storage media were still rare. Later, FAT32 was largely replaced by NTFS starting with Windows XP. Nevertheless, FAT32 remains widespread, such as in gaming consoles and multimedia devices, because it is compatible with many systems. Firmware updates on Windows PCs also frequently use FAT32 storage.
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Storage management is getting faster
Another change affects storage management in Windows 11. In addition to the classic disk management, there is an additional disk management option in the settings under “System, Storage” and “Advanced Storage Settings.” This feature has been in the system for some time but was often not used, partly due to lower performance compared to the classic tool.
This is set to change. In a preview version, WindowsLatest reported significant improvements. Wait times of around 15 seconds have almost completely disappeared. Even with multiple partitions on slower HDDs, the tool responds much faster. The specific technical adjustments Microsoft has made are unknown.
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Outlook on Update 26H2
The changes are still in the Windows Insider Program. When they will be available to all users is unclear. Possible options include smaller monthly updates or a later activation as part of the 26H2 system update in the fall.