[Fixed] FAT32 Format Option Not Available in Windows

Updated by

Oliver 

Updated on Mar 29, 2025

When you want to format a flash drive, SD card, or other external media in FAT32, you might run into the surprise of the choice absent in Windows. It may be very frustrating, mainly when using the FAT32 file system, because of compatibility with your old devices, specific hardware, or software requirements.

There are various reasons for FAT32 format option not available. This guide from EaseUS will disclose these to you. In addition, we will provide you with reliable solutions for formatting your drives to FAT32 when you need them.

Why FAT32 Format Option Not Available

A problem might arise when formatting the flash drive or storage device to FAT32 through the function menu, but the option is not there. This is caused by constraints within Windows's powers.

The FAT32 file system was developed by Microsoft in 1977 and became famous for being used with older execution devices like game consoles and some TV sets. However, later, with the standard tools, Windows won't permit you to format drives larger than 32GB to FAT32.

Various devices belonging to the former generation supporting the FAT32 file system cannot write or read files larger than 4GB. If you own such devices and need to enlarge their storage capacity, your device should offer FAT32 formatting.

The restricted size capacity of the FAT32 files system is the reason that Microsoft limited the storage capacity to 32GB on Windows operating systems. So if you see this limitation, you need to remember that it is not an error, but just an intended limitation.

📖Read Also: NTFS or FAT32, Which File System Should I Use for USB, Windows and Mac

Solution to FAT32 Format Option Not Available

In this regard, how do you format large drives to FAT32 if Windows does not? The solution lies in a potent tool called EaseUS Partition Master Free. This tool offers a specialized "NTFS to FAT" option, allowing you to convert file systems stress-free.

Besides, this feature ensures that you won't encounter data loss during the formatting process. This is an all-in-one solution that supports both FAT32 and NTFS.

If you're ready to fix this formatting problem, check the following steps to start managing file systems.

Step 1. Open EaseUS Partition Master, navigate to "Partition Manager," right-click target NTFS partition and select "Format."

Step 2. Click and change the File System from NTFS to FAT32.

Step 3. Click "OK" and the warning message will prompt, click "Yes" to confirm.

Step 4. Select "Execute 1 disk" and "Apply" to keep all the changes.

🚩Key features:

• It can overtake the Windows FAT32 partition size limit with the possibility of formatting drives bigger than 32GB into the FAT32 file system.
• It has the "NTFS to FAT" feature, which converts drives with a high degree of safety in order to minimize data loss.
• Capable of working with FAT32, NTFS, exFAT, EXT2, EXT3, and EXT4, as well as other file systems for both Linux and Windows.
• Created to be user-friendly and designed for users to be more comfortable with formatting tasks.

Don't forget to share this tool on your social media if you find it helpful for the task.

Conclusion

If FAT32 formatting is not available in Windows, there are two reasons, which are provided in this article. But more than that, it has familiarized you with the powerful EaseUS Partition Master Free, which needs only a click to format larger drives to FAT32. This free FAT32 format tool, with its cutting-edge features and data-safe approach, is the solution to problems relating to file system management.