Redmond, WA — In a significant update to Windows 11, Microsoft has removed the previously imposed 32GB size limit for FAT32 partitions. The latest Canary build of Windows 11 now supports FAT32 partitions up to 2TB in size.
The Windows Insider team announced today that this enhancement allows users to format disks with FAT32 partitions of up to 2TB directly from the command line using the format command. This update marks a departure from the artificial 32GB constraint that had previously limited FAT32 partition sizes, although larger FAT32 volumes could still be read if created using alternative methods or third-party tools.
This change is included in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27686, available to users in the Canary Channel. Once this update progresses to the stable channel, all Windows 11 users will be able to leverage this feature to create FAT32 partitions of up to 2TB without needing third-party applications or administrative PowerShell commands.
It’s important to note, however, that the graphical user interface (GUI) disk formatting tool in Windows will continue to enforce the 32GB size limit for FAT32 partitions.
In addition to the FAT32 update, today’s Canary build introduces the Windows Sandbox Client Preview, which brings several new features and enhancements. The update, available through the Microsoft Store, includes runtime clipboard redirection, audio/video input control, and folder sharing capabilities. Users can access these features via the new “…” icon in the upper-right corner of the app.
The Windows Insider team also revealed that this preview contains an early version of command-line support, which may evolve over time. Users can obtain more information using the wsb.exe –help command.
Moreover, Build 27686+ includes optimizations aimed at extending battery life for devices in the Canary Channel and addresses a bug where the battery icon on the lock screen was not syncing correctly with the actual battery level.
Starting with this Canary build, devices enrolled in the Insider program will also conduct background network tests to gather diagnostic data for Microsoft, which will assist in evaluating future network performance improvements. These tests will utilize a small data amount (up to 10MB/day) and will only run on Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections that are not designated as metered. This feature will be available on PCs running Build 27686 and higher in the Canary Channel.
